The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Button End Beasts on September 07, 2013, 08:42:02 pm
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Bit worried about my sow Flo. :-\ She was weaned from her piglets when they were about 6.5 weeks old, 4 gilts were reunited with mum about 2 weeks later. She had dried up, and her teats had shrunk back. Now they have all been back together for about a month. I have seen them trying to have a suckle on her but presumed that she wouldn't let them. OH has also seen one piglet trying to suckle.
Over the past few week, one of the back teats has been looking a bit bigger (this teat was always bigger and she was a bit lopsided with her teats while suckling due to only having 7 piglets).
Anyway, tonight, I noticed one nipple looked quite sore as if it had been bitten. Then I had a feel of the big teat and it is quite lumpy. It doesn't feel hot and she is otherwise completely normal. Is she producing milk again or could this be mastitis? What shall I do? Would it be a good idea to separate her again?
Advice appreciated.
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Separate again if you can, the little ones will hurt her trying to suckle even though her milk has all but dried up we leave it at least a good six weeks before putting piglets back with mum. Unlikely to be mastitis this long after more likely they've bitten her nipple and its got infected, treat with an antibiotic jab ampicillin(?) and mastitus cream will help too as that has abs in it too. If she goes off her food or temp rises get vet.
HTH
mandy :pig:
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Bugger , the last bitten nipple looks hard and lumpy now. Vet is coming tomorrow for a look. :-[
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Well the outcome of the vet visit....he came, he milked and he went. Turns out she is producing milk again in both the enlarged teats. ARRRGGGG. It's all fine, no smell, funny colour or anything else. I felt very embarrassed that I had called the vet out and basically all he did was milk her. I TRIED squeezing her nipples and no milk came out for me! the piglets are 12 weeks old for gods sake!!! :huff: He took temp and good check over and left, no antibiotics, just advised to re-wean her.
An expensive experience but good to know all is well. She is looking pretty lonely though. Shame she hates the Kunekunes so much or she could cuddle up with them for the next month or so that re-weaning will take!
Pigs heh :huff: