The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: RonMinch on February 23, 2013, 02:34:08 pm
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Hi I have 3 weaners 5 month old one started limping this morning she was OK at 07:30 by 09:00 limping.
They are not easy to handle and don't like being messed about. I have managed to have a quick look but cant see anything obvious. Do you think I can leave it till tomorrow and see if it gets better. The ground is quite hard and frozen at the mo, so may have just twisted it, any thoughts? Ron.
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Check for any swelling or other signs I.e. going off food, not coming out, if just the limp will probably just be a twist or boisterous feeding.
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Yes, she seems to be feeding and holding her own with the other two, will see how she is tomorrow. At feeding this evening I managed to get a good look at it, cleaned it off with a towel, nothing obvious gave it a spray with antiseptic while I had the chance, will see how she is in the morning.
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Still limping, still cant see anything, what to do???
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If she's putting weight on it, getting around and doesn't seem to be in pain or distress I'd give her another day (saves a weekend call out from the vet ;)) Most likely a twist/stave because of the hard ground, the vet will probably give you a jab of anti-inflamitory or if you can get your pig in, onto solid level ground for a couple of days it could well improve all on it's own.
HTH
Karen
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Thanks Karen that's what I was thinking, looks like could be cold for a while yet so ground may not thaw in next day or so. She seems happy just about to feed them so will try and have another look.
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don't forget if you twist your leg, how long it takes you to recover? it's the same with pigs could be limping for a week if it isn't showing any other clinical signs give her a few days
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Probably is just a twist/bruise from the frozen ground. If you can't see an obvious injury and she's OK in herself I'd leave it for a few days before calling the vet - minor foot injuries are pretty common in pigs and ours have always got better on their own
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It does look like there's an improvement over the last day or so, so all being well it will sort its self. thanks for the advice. Ron
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Glad to hear your piggie is getting better. Just wanted to add to this thread in case anyone else has a lame weaner that can't be explained and doesn't get better after a couple of days. We had a weaner a couple of years back. Went lame for a couple of days and didn't get better. Slightly warm swollen joints. Called vet and he said it was bacterial arthritis and we jabbed with penecillin for 5 days which sorted it out. Cheers.