Porcine Postweaning Wasting/Catabolic Syndrome (PWCS): pathological features

Porcine Postweaning Wasting/Catabolic Syndrome (PWCS) is an emerging condition causing elevated nursery mortality1. Affected pigs, weaned in robust body condition, develop anorexia and most become severely emaciated and die within 3 weeks of weaning. Mortality rates wax and wane and reach 10% in peak months. The cause of PWCS is unknown, but an infectious etiology suspected. Pathogens including PRRSV, porcine circovirus 2, rotavirus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus, influenza virus, Lawsoni