Customarily, piglets are treated for diarrhea with zinc oxide, while this takes care of the condition, the elevated amounts of zinc in the waste matter is not environmentally friendly.

Researchers in Western Australia have revealed that if the zinc is placed in a capsule and given along with oil, there are some chances to see a decrease in the level of zinc in the feces.

Dr. Roger Campbell, who is working with the Pork Co-operative Research Centre, opines this method will be favorable in delivering the zinc inside the bodies of piglets.

The zinc oxide is released further down to the gastro-intestinal area, where it's much more efficient, whereas the normal zinc oxide has to pass through the stomach which further has to go through a lot of inefficient processes to get to the point where it's required.

Nevertheless, this alternative is not a feasible long-term solution to the problem of PWD, as per the Pork CRC supported researcher, Dr Jae Kim of the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia.

In spite of frequent dietary and management strategies introduced and executed by research groups around the world, poor health of pigs after weaning is still a worry, as it compromises their possible growth.