Altered intestinal function is an important and common clinical problem of growing pigs raised under intensive production practices world-wide. With the inevitable progression towards non-use of antimicrobial agents for control of enteric bacterial diseases

Introduction Altered intestinal function is an important and common clinical problem of growing pigs raised under intensive production practices world-wide. With the inevitable progression towards non-use of antimicrobial agents for control of enteric bacterial diseases and growth promotion, it is critical that alternative strategies be investigated and implemented. The need for basic understanding of dietary management of pigs throughout the feeder period is essential to our goal of nonusage of antimicrobials. Dietary manipulation and management has great potential to control and influence the common gut diseases we observe today on our finish floors. It is not uncommon to observe transient to persistent diarrhea on the finish floor within the first few weeks of placement, or in association with diet transitions. The effects can be dramatic in terms of poorer weight gains, increased variation in weight within the group, extended marketing period for the group, and a higher number of culls, mortality, and lightweight pigs. Finish floor diarrhea can be a perplexing diagnostic challenge. The processes leading to diarrhea are multifactoral and typically involve a complex of : i) Precipitating environmental factors, (Temperature fluctuations, drafts, inappropriate temperature) ii) Feed (type, form, ingredients, particle size, method of delivery-feeder type) and Water related factors, iii) The Genetic host-the pig, it’s acquired capabilities, it’s acquired natural bacteria and micro-flora, it’s target tissues involved, and it’s state of immune activation. iv) Several infectious pathogenic disease agents that are potentially observed in western Canadian Swine herds and systems.