The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Ann and Rob on January 11, 2014, 07:43:27 pm
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Do pigs suffer from post natal depression?
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I've not come across any scholarly articles on pigs as such, but the general thought seems to be that animals can eg
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/2367/ (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/2367/)
this, but from personal experience pigs can display the same symptoms, although whether this is physiological or psychological would be open to debate.
Some of our sows go "off" for a period after giving birth. Ignoring food is frequent in the first few days, occasionally some just look miserable, but these are more than outweighed by good happy mums, who tend to their offspring.
I s'pose one of the advantages of pigs is that apart from feeding, mum doesn't need to do a lot, and if she is feeling "off" as long as she lies there the piglets can feed, not like say a sheep or dog, who needs to clean their offspring etc.
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If the sow seems depressed for more than a day or so it's probably worth taking her temperature rectally if you can - she may have retained some afterbirth or be starting in infection such as mastitis.
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I s'pose one of the advantages of pigs is that apart from feeding, mum doesn't need to do a lot, and if she is feeling "off" as long as she lies there the piglets can feed, not like say a sheep or dog, who needs to clean their offspring etc.
and she doesnt have the house to clean, school run, bills to pay or other kids to worry about - lucky buggers really :roflanim:
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If she seems 'down' or off her feed or refusing to let the piglets suckle I'd recommend checking her out asap.
How long ago did she farrow ? If it's in the last couple of days get her a shot of oxytocin and an antibiotic sooner rather than later.
If it's longer, check her vulva for any sign of discharge, take her temperature and check her udder - most likely to be mastitis or metritis and should definitely be treated asap.
Karen
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Agree with others check temperature if anywhere near 40c antibiotics pronto, also check her udder for heat and lumps (mastitis?) any doubts call vet. Try tempting her with some treats or milk, make sure she is drinking plenty & make sure she is doing her business as constipation can also give these symptoms, A bran & molasses mix can help get things moving.
Also check piglets aren't squabbling for teats to much when they go to feed, this can pee her off too and you may need to help sort them onto teats till they get the hang of which one is theirs coz when they squabble they nip each other & invariably catch mums underneath too.
HTH
mandy :pig: