The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: powispigs on January 15, 2011, 06:44:57 pm

Title: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 15, 2011, 06:44:57 pm

Think we have had our worst day since keeping pigs, our GOS sow aborted 11 piglets four weeks early and is not in a good way herself.  We have had vet out, antibiotics given so fingers crossed now for her.  Anyone help with why this happens, she has no temperature was fine until last night when she was off her food. Only with one other in pig sow so no bullying etc,
Secondly a four week old runt has been struggling for about 10 days now and we have been trying to keep her with mum but she was being squashed and bullied by the others so we have taken her inside. She is in my kitchen warming up and she has eaten weaner pellets and drank water - what now???

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: robert waddell on January 15, 2011, 07:12:18 pm

what did the vet say about the abortion and were the piglets alright or deformed
with the runt feed her lamb milk replacement
also what weight is the runt

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: HappyHippy on January 15, 2011, 07:13:28 pm

I'm sorry to hear about your sow  :( There are loads of reasons for aborting, the only ones I can think of (in my sleep deprived state) are infection and stress - but more experienced breeders will be able to advise better. It's such a shame though.
Your little runt  :love: I'd probably be tempted to keep her inside and feed her up a bit then once she's gained in size and energy, try re-introducing her. In commercial units they often wean at 4 weeks so in theory she should manage on pig nuts and water, but there are milk suppliments you can get too - if you think she looks like she needs it. I think I saw some on Supplies for Smallholders website.
HTH
Karen x

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: JulieS on January 15, 2011, 08:06:01 pm

So sorry to hear about your trying times.

I look forward to hearing others thoughts about the reasons.  I would think along the same lines as Karen...Infection and/or stress.  Was she in pig to the same boar as her previous litter/s?  If not, perhaps something genetic? Although I wouldn't have thought they would have made it so far into the pregnancy.

With regards to the runt, it sounds like she is doing ok with the pellets and water.  Get hold of some sow milk supplement too, that will help.  I use Faramate.  It's surprising how well they do.

Good luck with everything. 

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 15, 2011, 09:42:29 pm

Thanks all, unsure if it was infection as her temp was normal.  Most of the piglets were perfectly formed but a couple had obviously died a while ago as had 'mummified'  I cant see it was stress as she has not been moved, bullied etc.  Vet just thought it was 'one of those things' but its hard not knowing why.  Miss piggy seems brighter and has had more water to drink and pellets to eat but will try to get some replacer her for in the morning. Haven't weighed her yet but will do shortly  :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 15, 2011, 10:09:29 pm

Miss piggy weighs in at just over 7lbs
The sow was in pig to a different boar to the last time    ???

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 16, 2011, 09:39:46 am

Hi sorry about your sow.  Re the little piglet - as everyone has already said feed lamb replacer milk, keep her warm.  I introduced very milky porridge to Digby's diet, gradually introduced pig nuts as he grew.  He could not be reintroduced to the other piglets as they attacked him.  Oddly even now, he will only fraternise with other pigs from the other side of the fence and the sows without exception hate him and will attack him given the chance.  It may be just Digby, not an experience I have had before.

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 16, 2011, 09:54:16 am

Thanks, she is by the rayburn in the kitchen sleeping peacefully, just about to get some milk replacer from local sheep farmer so fingers crossed. Managing to get some water and food down her too in the meantime.  She was injured when mum squashed her and two legs are sore but cant feel anything serious, hoping as she gains strength they will heal too  :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 16, 2011, 07:51:39 pm

ok, got the milk replacer - she will not suck to take it but have managed to get 125ml down her by squeezing it from a baby's bottle. Also 100ml honey and water earlier while I was waiting for the replacer.  Gave her some antibiotic as she was shaking and had a discharge from her nose, she is very tired and our dog is cuddled up to her by the rayburn and occasionally encouraging her to get up and walk about!  Anything else to do? Concerned she is not getting enough fluid and hoping she will pick up tomorrow when antibiotics have worked

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: princesspiggy on January 17, 2011, 05:59:16 am

Quote from: powispigs on January 16, 2011, 07:51:39 pm

ok, got the milk replacer - she will not suck to take it but have managed to get 125ml down her by squeezing it from a baby's bottle.

would using a syringe be easier?

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 17, 2011, 07:46:23 am

Tried the syringe too, but she started sucking last night and has drank a whole bottle this morning already! Up and about playing with our dog so feeling bit more optimistic about her now  :)

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 17, 2011, 08:35:48 am

Wonderful news, truly.  I hope she continues to thrive.

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: JulieS on January 17, 2011, 08:45:43 am

That really is fantastic news.  :)

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: robert waddell on January 17, 2011, 11:55:04 am

the vast majority of abortions in pigs is caused by stress  although with fecundity(mallformed piglets born dead)this can also trigger abortion
this is why it is important to register (with pedigree pigs) on the birth notification form  this occurrence . to enable you and others to select the best breeding stock
it is good to hear that your perseverance has been beneficial it will associate its self with your dog or yourself and in time will cause all sorts of problems mainly being it will not integrate its self with other pigs(this is from our own experiences with Ruby) but in the meantime enjoy the pet pig as it will turn out unless it can go back in with its brothers and sisters

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 17, 2011, 12:02:24 pm

It's worrying if it is stress as she was in her normal field with just another sow that is also in pig without any problems and they have been together for a long time now.(our sow is not a pedigree pig)  we are trying to distance ourselves from the little one but it is very hard! Now she is a bit better we have set a heat lamp up in the pantry next to the kitchen and made a little pen for it there so it not so close to us or the dog. Probably silly question...but does anyone know how much she should be drinking so I know she is getting enough???

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: robert waddell on January 17, 2011, 12:12:39 pm

as much as she will take at the age she is they sometimes use the teat as a dummy(mother spark out babies fall asleep on the teat)

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 17, 2011, 12:14:46 pm

after I have fed her she does tend to fall asleep on my lap with teat, I try every few hours - and have water and pellets by the side of her if she wants it

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: robert waddell on January 17, 2011, 12:26:14 pm

she will tell you when she is hungry she will squawk her nickers of   you could try wetting the pellets to make it easier to take

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Helencus on January 17, 2011, 01:34:20 pm

Good luck with miss piggy powispigs sounds like you're doing all you can. Hope things go well for you and sorry about your sow that must have been very upsetting.

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on January 17, 2011, 05:46:09 pm

Well done for persevering. You've kept her alive and that's always rewarding.
Was the mother a first-timer, or had she farrowed before?
Also, did you consider a pm on the mummified piglets? Don't want to scare you, but there are a few conditions that can cause mummies - not just PPV (parvo).
Probably too late to be raising this, but might be worth talking to your vet before the next one farrows.

All the very best
Liz

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Pig Pen Mom on January 17, 2011, 06:31:46 pm

I'm so sorry this happened.  I wish you luck and hope your sow is ok.  I also wish you luck with your piglet runt.  Keep up the good work!

www.Zazzle.com/ThePigPen

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 18, 2011, 07:59:32 am

Thanks, we did consider doing pm on piglet but vet said as we hadn't experienced anything like this before it wasn't worth it, we have had four healthy litters in the last 10 weeks.  This was her second litter, first was healthy and still with us.  Miss piggy is now drinking her milk from a bowl as well as water and eating pellets, she is also being exercised in the garden by our children to strengthen her legs!   :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: gavo on January 18, 2011, 08:57:06 am

Powis

Don't worry too much about integrating a pet back into a group ,we have done this a few times with only the odd squabble. Reintroduce when you have successfully weaned from the bottle. Allow the pigs to meet in a large enclosure and with not too many other pigs.They will always be more friendly than other pigs but that's not really a bad thing.We have kept "pet" pigs around the farm yard up to the age of 4 months and reintroduced very well.You have to remember that no matter what their natural instincts will win out they will be a pig,just easier handled.

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 21, 2011, 09:13:31 am

Thank you all for advice and support, little Miss Piggy is now walking perfectly, eating nuts and drinking water brilliantly! Going to try to reintegrate her back in with mum and litter today - fingers crossed!    :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 21, 2011, 01:16:10 pm

Good luck l et us know how it goes.  If she does integrate back at least you wont be looking for an extra large, extra strong sofa.   :)

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 21, 2011, 05:04:04 pm

before we could do it she took matter into her own hands...she was out in her pen by the back door and someone must have opened the door! Went to find her in a panic and she has helped herself to the wrong mummy pig!  So far so good - the mum has accepted her feeding but the boys are being a bit boisterous with her but nothing to bad, fingers still crossed!   :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 21, 2011, 05:52:17 pm

Oh that is so l ovely.  Everyone hated poor Digby.  (Which is why the new sofa)

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Eastling on January 21, 2011, 06:09:18 pm

Thats good news fingers crossed all continues to go well ;)
Often wondered how Digby ended up as a house pig :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Eve on January 21, 2011, 10:27:08 pm

Poor Digby, how sad!! So... how big is he now? A fully grown Large Black?? Makes a change from the usual little terrier! ;D

Poor thing, give him an extra treat from me :pig: :love: :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: powispigs on January 22, 2011, 10:07:25 am

Well, think Digby is not going to be the only house pig! Had to bring Miss Piggy back in last night as the other piglets wouldn't let her feed although mum was quite happy with her. She has had two bottles of milk this morning so far so think she is here to stay - strong sofa next purchase!   :pig:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Eve on January 22, 2011, 11:27:37 am

Pig-proof sofa's: a niche market!  ;D

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 22, 2011, 01:44:09 pm

Eve have purchased bananas for Digby from you.

Powys pigs, you wont regret it, properly kept they are as good a pet as any other animal, far more intelligent than dogs, 'great' companions, and wonderful fun.

Digby became a pet because I had too much wine at a dinner, when he was bought in from outside.  I had a cuddle, and somehow it appeared he would have to live in a cattle trailer for the following weeks as he couldnt return to mum, and would then become a small pig roast.  He just touched my heart, no idea why because I am the least sentimental person I know.   We just bonded, I cant explain why but I would give up any other house animal we have before I would part with him. 

I am a one woman sofa disposal unit here in Bretagne.  I get through a fair number of duvets as well

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Eve on January 23, 2011, 06:44:35 pm

Oh bless - both of you!!  :-*
One day I'll come and see you. In the meantime, I'm waiting for technology to catch up so that I can email darling Digby some goodies  :yum:

:love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love::pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig: :love:

Title: Re: Help - Advice needed!
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 24, 2011, 08:18:02 am

Thanks Eve, of course you would be very, very welcome.  Digby loves a tummy rub, can you send a "virtual" one of those I can pass on to him.