Very recently there were reported outbreaks of Swine Flu in Bulacan and Pampanga. Significant losses were incurred due to mortalities of affected pigs but more so to their premature sale.
Although Swine Flu affects majority of pigs in a farm (in technical lingo - "high morbidity"), it does not kill too many of them ("low mortality"). If more pigs die, it is due to concurrent or complicating infections, usually secondary bacterial pathogens like the ubiquitous E. coli, Pasteurella sp. and more pathogenic endemic viruses like Hog Cholera. An outbreak may start as Swine Flu, then continue and end as Hog Cholera. This looks like what happened in the recent outbreaks hence some think it's Flu and others Cholera.
When Flu downs almost all the pigs in a farm, it is not good to disturb them too much. It is best to leave them alone and they should recover uneventfully in 3-4 days. Antibiotic and supportive medications can best be given through the drinking water. Injecting the pigs will stir and stress them too much and cause more harm than good.
Giving Aspirin as adjunct to treatment can be beneficial. Scientifically known as Acetylsalicylic acid, it is classified as Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Its other pharmacologic actions are analgesia (relieves pain) and antipyrexia (relieves fever). In a Swine Flu outbreak, aspirin will promote faster recovery.
It is best to administer Aspirin through the drinking water. To provide a dose of 10-20 mg/kg every four hours, it can be given continously at the dilution rate of 800 milligrams per liter water or 160 grams per 200 liter drum.
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