The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: nat2211 on April 02, 2010, 03:50:09 pm

Title: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: nat2211 on April 02, 2010, 03:50:09 pm

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me. I am very concerned about my 8 month old female pig.  I suspect she maybe pregnant as she has been running with a boar for 3 months.

She is quite large & i have separated her into her own pen, but over the last two weeks i have noticed she is struggling to walk. She spends the majority of the time lay down & when she does eventually stand up to eat, she only takes a few mouthfalls.

It started of that her front legs seemed very stiff but now she just seems to struggle to walk on all her legs. I watched her lie down earlier & she kneels first & waits about 5 minutes before pulling her back legs down.

I don't like to see any animal in  discomfort especially if they are pregnant,

I just wondered if this is a common side effect if she is pregnant or is it advisable to call the vet out? 

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: gavo on April 02, 2010, 04:14:03 pm

We've had many sows /gilts pregnant and i can't say these symptoms are common. I would think it may be chronic erysipylis; please call the vet as pregnant or not ;if this is what she has got she needs antibiotics.This illness can lead to chronic arthritis and even cardiac problems;i hope it is something simple but it's best to call the vet;as it has gone on too long i feel.

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: chickenfeed on April 02, 2010, 04:52:16 pm

 :pig: i agree she needs a vet

if it is erysipylis she may well have raised blotches over her body (its also known as diamond disease).

could also be joint ill
but without seeing the pig it is hard to say as gavo says  a vet is needed sooner rather than later.

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: nat2211 on April 02, 2010, 07:02:33 pm

OK

thanks for the advice, she doesn't have any raised blotches over her skin but i have called the vet so fingers crossed it is not to serious.
 

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: gavo on April 02, 2010, 08:42:54 pm

Please let us know how she gets on and what the vet reckons. Hope all is well soon best of luck

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: langdon on April 02, 2010, 08:50:45 pm

ere ere best of luck hope all good comes soon.
just a new pig keeper myself (meat only) just started to work on a pig farm, so your post
has helped me too.
keep me in touch how she gets on.
again hope all works out well for both of you. ;)
langdon :pig:

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: Gary on April 03, 2010, 10:34:46 am

Hi what breed is she? It sounds like congenital syndrome, does she shake slightly??

Title: Re: Female pig struggling to walk,
Post by: JulieS on April 03, 2010, 02:52:50 pm

How is she today?  Let us know how you are getting on.   :)