Hi all,
I know this site is for the more serious smallholder but I hope you don't mind me asking an urgent question about my micro pigs
I wondered if anyone can help me as something is wrong with one of my piglets and I've no idea what could be wrong. I'm going to call a vet shortly but wondered if anyone had experienced this before and had any recommendations?
I took home 2 micro piglets 3.5 weeks ago. They came from a very reputable breeder, who has breed smaller pigs for years, they were raised and weaned at the appropriate time and seemed happy and healthy when they arrived. They're about 4.5 months old.
They are currently sleeping in a pen in our conservatory as it's too cold outside and our barn is leaking like a sieve. They've been let outside almost daily except when it's been really too cold and have been eating fine.
The boy (Elvis) is robust and a bit of a bully to his sister, I've seen some nudging and a bit of biting but they also get on well as they won't be separated. However, Rosie over the last few days keeps getting stiff legs and is finding it difficult to get up from a sleeping position. She also seems to go stiff (all legs) and fall over if she gets stressed or frightened (so if he knocks her over while trying to get to food). It happened once or twice over a few days and I've been keeping an eye on her but it is definitely getting more and more regular. She's still eating (pig pellets), has access to fresh water all the time, has appropriate bedding and access to the outside. I've been reading books and online but she doesn't show any other symptoms they describe such as a cracked dry nose, hunched up back etc etc.
Please does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be? She is very much a pet but we can't wait to move them permanently outside to live the good piggy life on our 4 acres. I'm just really worried about her. Is it stress because he's bullying, is she ill?
I have left a message for the breeder to call me back but in the meantime, any and all help gratefully received
Thanks
Nic