What is a chronic effect of PRRS on growing pigs?

The chronic effect of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) on growing pigs is linked to slower weight gain. PRRS is a viral disease that primarily affects the respiratory system and reproductive tract of pigs, and the long-term impact of the virus can lead to stunted growth and poor overall performance in affected pigs.

When pigs contract PRRS, their immune response may be compromised, making them more susceptible to secondary infections and other health challenges. This results in decreased feed utilization and, ultimately, slower weight gain as the pigs struggle to grow at a normal rate due to the effects of the virus. In a production setting, this reduces the overall efficiency and profitability of raising pigs infected with PRRS, as animals take longer to reach market weight, thus impacting the entire production cycle.

Overall health improvements, increased feed efficiency, or higher survival rates are not typical outcomes associated with chronic PRRS infection. Instead, the prolonged impact of the disease leads to overall negative effects on growth performance in affected populations.