Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Development of the typical diamond shaped lesion on the skin is pathognomic for this disease.  Erysipelas should be considered in any cases where fever and lameness occur together, or in farrowing sows who are struggling in combination with a fever.

Development of the typical diamond shaped lesion on the skin is pathognomic for this disease.  Erysipelas should be considered in any cases where fever and lameness occur together, or in pregnant sows struggling to farrow in combination with a fever.

Post-mortem diagnosis may be needed for definitive diagnosis, in particular spleen, kidney, liver, [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology|spleen]], heart valves,a long bone and synovial tissues should be submitted for bacterial examination.

Post mortem diagnosis may be needed for definitive diagnosis, in particular the, [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology| liver]], [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology|spleen]], heart valves, [[The Endocrine Function of the Kidney - Anatomy & Physiology| kidney]], a long bone and synovial tissues should be submitted for bacterial examination.

Slender Gram-positive rods can be seen on microscopy of acute lesions; filamentous forms in chronic lesions and on smears.

Slender Gram-positive rods can be seen on microscopy of acute lesions and filamentous forms in chronic lesions and on smears.

High levels of antibiody may be found in joint fluid and so may aid diagnosis.

High levels of antibiody may be found in joint fluid and so may aid diagnosis.

ELISAs and PCR tests are also avilable which can be used directly on tissue or following culture.

[[ELISA testing|ELISA]] and Polymerase Chain Reaction tests are also avilable which can be used directly on tissue or following culture.

==Clinical signs==

==Clinical signs==