The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Malc on August 01, 2012, 11:37:27 pm
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Here's something I haven't seen before. This evening when I went to feed the six-month-old porkers one boar was walking in circles with his head leaning to the left. He ate and drank normally and when I moved him away from the others he walked reasonably normally. He allowed me to check him over for injuries and didn't seem to be in any pain, but soon started going in circles again as he checked the ground for food. I checked him a few minutes ago and he was sleeping with his siblings. Any ideas?
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Let us know if he continues to do this.
Typically this reaction (when not due to mental boredom that zoo anmiamls used to get) is due to a middle ear infection at the lower level, and a brain issue at the more major.
The more likley cause is listeriosis, a middle ear infection. In cattle this causes them to walk in circles. http://www.thepigsite.com/diseaseinfo/61/listeriosis (http://www.thepigsite.com/diseaseinfo/61/listeriosis)
However this would need to be repetitive to be of concern, so one day should not be aworry.
If it does continue anti-biotics to cure any ear infection would be the first treatment - so vet needed and test for Listeriosis.
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Went out this morning and he seemed totally back to normal, running around and rooting with the rest so I suspect it was a mild infection. Just left him tucking into (and squabbling over) breakfast. I'll be keeping a closer eye than normal on him for a few days. Thanks for the reply.
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Great to hear, just keep an eye on him for the next few days.
Pigs do like to suffer from a variety of 24hour illnesses - just enough to keep you on your toes, and worrried before they go back to normal!