The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Daisys Mum on July 09, 2011, 09:10:21 am
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One of my 11 week olds was off her food yesterday, this morning she came out of the ark but wont eat and another came over to the trough but she is staggering and wont eat. have called the vet but my vets are not very piggie so any suggestions would be welcome
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Hiya Daisy's Mum, Sorry to hear they're not so good :(
Are there any other symptoms ?
Do they have a temperature ?
How are their poos ?
What feed do you use ?
Is there anything they could have gotten access to which would be poisonous ?
Any coughing, sneezing, skin problems ?
It could be dehydration, especially if it's been hot where you are - but there are a lot of other things it could be too depending on the other symptoms.
HTH
Karen x
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Thanks Karen, vet has been they have temperatures of 104 and 106, there poos are normal and they have constant access to water, have seen them drinking so ruled out dehydration. Vet has given them a long acting antibiotic with some steroid, he has also given the other 2 antibiotic injection as well.
The 1 which is staggering has just munched her way through a banana, so fingers crossed now.
They are fed on bocm grower and are still on the same batch they were on when i got them.
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Great to hear they're eating again - it's always a good sign ;)
102.5 is 'normal' temp, so they're up a wee bit but the antibiotic will hopefully help with that.
The reason I asked about the food was because of the issues with mould in Farmgate feed (made by BOCM Pauls) affecting some pigs. Next time you go out to feed them get your nose in the bag - if it smells faintly of coconut there may be a problem with it.
Keep an eye on all of them and let us know if anything changes.
Fingers crossed for you all
Karen :-*
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glad they seem to be picking up! :)
we had a batch of mouldy 'farmgate' feed a few weeks back but i was lucky to notice it as soon as i opened the bag!! :-\ it was all green and smelly!..........we use badminton pig nuts now!they always seem top quality and the pigs love them.x. ;D
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Well one of the pigs is back to normal but the one who has been unwell since Friday is now staggering and not eating anymore than a mouthful of feed, she tooka slice of apple and ate that but would not have any more, it's a worry as the weight has really dropped off her in 3 days.
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I think it's time to get the vet back out again.
It may just be a case of needing another anti-biotic to fully kill the infection (if it is an infection) I'd maybe try seperating her from the others if possible too - especially if they're improving. It could be that she's not getting a chance to eat when she feels like it (I know that when it's hot, as it is now - I don't eat til much later when it's a bit cooler) or she could be getting bullied.
Is she still drinking ? Was she wormed before you got her ?
The other thing I'd suggest is getting in touch with the breeder who you got them from and see if any other pigs from the litter are having the same problems, they may be able to offer a bit more advice or come and have a look at them ?
If you want to email me a photo of her (kkjmckay@aol.com) I'll send some reiki - it can't do any harm ;)
Karen x
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Don't like the sound of it. You could ask the Dick Vet School in Edinburgh for advice, or ask your vet to ask them.
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Well we are making no progress with the smallest of the pigs, she is is in a seperate stable as the others were pushing at her to get her to move which she is now unable to do. Vet(yet another one) sent a different antibiotic and some metacam which we gave her last night, she is hungry and ate some porridge with honey which I made her this morning she is also drinking from a dogs water bowl as she can only lie on her side, she gets quite distressed if I try to get her more upright. I hate the idea that she may be suffering but vets just don't seem to know what it is, has anyone else come across anything like this?
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I can't say I have ???
I'd definately get onto a 'pig' vet asap though. You could try phoning Holmefield Farm Services (they're a medical supply co. but have pig vets on their staff) or as TD suggested Royal Dick vets at Edinburgh - they'll have much more experience.
But email me a photo of her (or I can pm you my mobile no is you want to send a picture message instead) I'll get reiki heading her way if you want.
Here's a link to the pig site's symptom checker if you want to have a go with it
http://www.thepigsite.com/diseaseinfo/problemsolver.php (http://www.thepigsite.com/diseaseinfo/problemsolver.php)
Definately need a pig vet - NOW ;)
Karen x
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At last managed to get hold of a pig vet who "thinks" it is most probably a spinal abscess, she has had all antibiotics necessary and has now just to go on metacam and be turned every 6 hrs or so. Karen if you could pm me with your mobile number I will send you a photo, tried to post one on here but am too stressed to work out how to downsize it :(
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Has this vet acctually seen your pig?
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Has this vet acctually seen your pig?
No he is simply going by what I and the other vets who have seen her are telling him.
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Making no progress with pig she is on her side and cant get up at all, I turn her every 6 hrs and feed and water her, she is eating well and drinking also peeing and pooing. She is always pleased to see me when I go in but just cannot get up. Vets want me to give her till after the weekend to see if there is any improvement, I don't think that there will be but we have to give her a chance she is on Metacam injections so not in pain.
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How terrible for you & the poor little girl, this must be an awful experience, I do so hope she pulls through. I really hope the vets can do something for her between them & I'm sure Karen's reiki will help with the recovery.
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Would you like me to come over and have a look at her? I'm not a vet but I'm a very experienced doctor and a reasonably experienced pig-keeper? I could come on Monday or Tuesday.
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Not sure where in the borders you are but have you tried Armac Vets in Peebles? They have a vet (sorry cant remember his name) but he knows a lot about pigs. Definately worth a try.
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Would you like me to come over and have a look at her? I'm not a vet but I'm a very experienced doctor and a reasonably experienced pig-keeper? I could come on Monday or Tuesday.
That would be really good, I don't want to keep her alive if she is not going to get better so the sooner the better Monday would be great if you can manage that. I will pm you with my address
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Has your vet ruled out mycoplasma arthritis? It's just that you mention she won't get up. MA is extremely debilitating and can be such a painful condition that pigs can't be asked to get up and about as normal, go off their food, and consequently start losing condition and strength. I've had a few with it and it's completely curable. There are two antibiotics that will sort it - lincomycin (Lincocin) and Tiamulin. The other antibiotics don't seem to touch it, but both of these will get them up on their legs within 24 hours. Worth talking to your vet about.
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Has your vet ruled out mycoplasma arthritis? It's just that you mention she won't get up. MA is extremely debilitating and can be such a painful condition that pigs can't be asked to get up and about as normal, go off their food, and consequently start losing condition and strength. I've had a few with it and it's completely curable. There are two antibiotics that will sort it - lincomycin (Lincocin) and Tiamulin. The other antibiotics don't seem to touch it, but both of these will get them up on their legs within 24 hours. Worth talking to your vet about.
Thanks Tudful Tamworths am calling vet again this morning to suggest this.
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Vet has just been and put her to sleep. Still don't know what it was and probably never will. :pig: :'(
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Oh so sorry to hear that :bouquet: :bouquet: {{hugs}}
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:bouquet: :bouquet: :bouquet: So sorry to hear.
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Just seen your news, so sad that she didn't make it :bouquet:
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Very sorry for your loss. Could you find out from the vet why she had to be euthanised? It would be interesting to know. And you, as the client, is entitled to know why the vet decided to put her down.
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Would you like me to come over and have a look at her? I'm not a vet but I'm a very experienced doctor and a reasonably experienced pig-keeper? I could come on Monday or Tuesday.
Sad for you lose, but I pretty certain you will find that the problem was Menigitis.