The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: JulieS on September 03, 2011, 06:02:49 pm
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I have a 3 year old sow who has gone off her front feet. The vet isn't sure what it is, metacam and antibiotics given.
A local farmer has suggested laminitis. I've been doing a bit of research to find out more.
Anyone on here had any experience of laminitis in pigs? I'm thinking the worse, but hoping that someone might have some good news to pass on please.
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Still didn't manage to get Bluebell up by bedtime, so covered her in straw and put a gazebo over us to keep the rain off.
Just popped in for a cuppa.
Really hope there is some change by morning.........All my pigs are special, but Bluebell was my first breeding girl, so extra special :love: :pig: :love:
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Julie I know nothing to help at all but do send you and Bluebell my good wishes and hope she feels better soon :bouquet:
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Julie
Go to the GOS website and look under health queries tab, somewhere may have to scroll pages there is a subject Laminitis and i seem to remember it being something to dowith feed.
HTH
Mandy :pig:
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Many thanks Mandy. I have already read that thread and some good info on there.
I moved Bluebell into a new pen last week, plenty of new grass, which is what we think may be causing it. She's never had a problem with lots of grass before, but always a first with these things.
Just waiting for the vet to arrive as she is still off her feet.
Many thanks for your thoughts Sally.
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Hi Julie
Has the vet ruled out Mycoplasma arthritis, this only responds to certain anti biotics Lincomysin and Tiamulin. Hope you get her sorted out.
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my thoughts the same as Berkshire Boy (erysepelas)?
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Many thanks for you ideas. I appreciate it very much.
The vet has visited again and taking everything in account that has happened today it isn't laminitis.
The feeling is now that it is unfortunately a spinal abscess. We've managed to lift her onto a wonderful, cosy straw bed, under a gazebo, looking like the Queen of Sheba overseeing all that is going on. She is comfortable and eating well - so just a case of keeping a close eye on her, give her the drugs, and make sure she doesn't get any sores from lying down.
I wonder if she will share her gazebo with me tonight....or will I be relegated to the arc again?????
Please keep her in your thoughts :love: :pig: :love:
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I hope she's better for you. I never knew pigs had laminitis, I've got 2 ponies that are prone to it, and thought it was just equines who had it :-[
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Big hugs and good thought sto you both, hope she pulls through.
Mandy x :pig:
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Thank you white-blazes and Mandy.
She's still off her feet. We keep turning her so she doesn't develop sores. She's still 'herself', feeding and drinking well, and telling anyone else exactly what she thinks of them!!
I've been massaging her legs with some Aloe Heat Lotion, which she loves and I think there is a glimmer of something happening. She will be on her 3rd dose of Duphamore this afternoon, so hopefully will see some improvement soon.
Our farmer neighbour has been helping me turn her every few hours, and this afternoon we are going to rig up a sling to gently lift her up and into a standing position and see if we can get her to take some of her weight on her legs.
Here's hoping. Many thanks for the Reiki Karen - you are amazing :)
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You are amazing too Julie. The time & effort in making her better is a credit to you.
Most people would have sent this animal to her maker by now.
Good luck with your sling, hope the weather improves too.
bestest mandy :pig:
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Thank you Mandy. All the time she is well in herself I will do everything I can for her......I'm realistic though and will know if/when it is not wise to continue.
:love: :pig: :love:
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The latest on Bluebell.
No sign of leg movement today, so I fashioned a sling out of an old builders bag lined with a blanket and with the farmer's help we got it underneath her and gently lifted her with the handler into an upright position. She didn't seem to mind too much, and some slight movement in her front legs, but none in her back legs.
Kept her there for a few minutes so that she could get her bearings and for her to have a go at my husband........her favourite past time!!
No sign of her taking her own weight, so took the opportunity to carry her indoors, so she is cuddled up on straw in a much better place for her. When we laid her back down again there was a slight movement in her back legs.
So still some hope. We'll see what kind of night she has tonight and how she is in the morning.
:love: :pig: :love:
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Hi Julie,
How is Bluebell doing ?
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Thank you for asking BB.
I'm turning and massaging her regularly. We lifted her again yesterday and there was a little movement again in her back legs and a little twitching.....so a very slight improvement which I'm holding onto.
She's still eating and drinking well and very much her usual character. No temperature.
So I'll keep on doing what I'm doing. Later today we are going to lift her again and try to support her on a hay bale or two with her legs down and I'll give her a legs a massage and see what happens.
I'll let you know how that goes. :)
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A very sad day today.
Just had to make the call to the fallen stock man :-(
Managed to get some life back into Bluebell's front legs, but unfortunately her back legs aren't making the same progress.
It's been a week now, and I know I've done all I can for her, but it was still a very difficult call to make. Especially as she is still so pleased to see me and is still enthusiastic about her food!
They are on their way. I'm not looking forward to their arrival.
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Oh Julie. :bouquet: We're thinking of you.
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Is it worth getting a post-mortem or would this cost too much?
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I'm so sorry too Julie :'(
Thinking of you :-* :bouquet: :-*
Karen x
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So sorry to hear about that Julie.
Do think about a post mortem. Seems grizzly now but it would help you find closure if you know what really happened.
It certainly helped when my ewe went down for no reason. At least I know it wasn't something I had done.....
Sounds like Bluebell has had the best care throughout her life.
:bouquet: :bouquet:
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Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate your thoughts.
Yes, I am going to have a post mortem done.
I don't usually drink, but I think a glass of wine might go down well tonight.
Cheers to Bluebell and all the good times I've enjoyed with her....She will always have a special place in my heart. :love: :pig: :love:
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So sorry to hear your news Julie, I know what you went through making that decision I had to do it last year and not something I want to do again.
It was the best thing to do for her and she has to be the priority in that decision. :'(
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Very sorry to hear that, Julie, our thoughts are with you.
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So sorry to read about Bluebell but this sounds very like what happened to my pig a few weeks ago, I did all the same things that you have done to no avail so would be very interested in hearing your pm results as I did not have one done.
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Yes please let us know what was actually the problem with her. Sorry.
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Sorry to hear your news. Sounds like you did everything you could. A PM will help put your mind at rest. It's never easy losing a pig you love. I lost my favourite sow in March and still fill up at the thought of it.
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poor bluebell keep us posted hope she gets well soon huggs xx :pig:
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Thank you everyone. Will let you all know when I get the results.
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Just seen this Julie so sad, :'( thoughts are with especially after Delia, brings a lump to my throat. You did all you could for her and she had the best of lives.
Mandy :pig:
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sorry to hear the sad news she had a great life with you remember the good times because they can make you laugh my 2 tamsworth can be very funny at time we had the dog crate at the gate they decided to both go into it they are fully grown yes girls u did came in the crate but we are not going for a run in the car i just hope my two have a wonderful life its great that if we need advice u guys are hear for everyone hugs sent xxjane
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Hi Julie have just been reading about your pig way back in 2011 Bluebell? Did you ever find out what was wrong with her? I have a Kunekune pig that is 3 years old - Billy and he has just started walking on his knees and in terrible pain. Lying down most of the time now and also very keen to eat/drink the vet has him on non steroidal antiinflams but still no difference :-(
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In case you don't get a reply from the original post - I'd speculate that a spinal abscess could be the cause of paralysis - abscesses seem to be more common in pigs than one would like and extremely unlikely to be your fault or anything you can do about it.
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If a treatment from the vet is not working, go back to the vets. They may need to try something different or do some tests.