[debbigord]

Our OSB gilt farrowed 6 piglets on Saturday. She had quite a long labour and has since been unable to stand as one of her front legs seems to spasm. The vet seemed unconcerned and said that it would right itself, but I am beginning to worry now after 4 days. She is letting me feed her mashed banana and drinking water from a hose, do you think there is anything else I can/ should do? Piglets seem happy and are growing well.

[SophieYorkshire]

Has she not been up on to her feet at all? If not you need to get her rolling over and massage her sides and underneath (hard!), she'll be turning blue/black.

Is she only eating mashed banana and no nuts? How long was the labour?

I'd be asking the vet for an anti inflammatory, the longer she stays down the less likely she is to get up. Have you pressed the leg (and shoulder) all over? See if there seems to be any areas of pain whilst she's laid down?

 

[harmony]

She should have been up by now. Is she pooing and weeing? Did she cleanse? Why are you only giving her banana? Does she not want to eat?


Did the vet come out? Has she got a temperature?


Get the vet out again. Does the vet know about pigs?


Is this her first litter?

[Marches Farmer]

I agree with Sophie.  Jump up and down a bit with your vet if necessary.  Anti-inflammatories, massage, and a bit of her usual feed or she'll be getting constipated too.  If the piglets are feeding well she'll be losing condition fast.

[harmony]

Any news?


It's obviously not ideal for her not to be eating but if she was in good condition before farrowing 6 piglets won't be pulling her down too much. However, once you get her sorted and as they grow on you can creep feed. Another reason to be giving the sow her normal feed as the piglets will pick at it too and it will be easier to get them onto creep.

[debbigord]

Hello,
Many thanks to all.
Anti inflammatory and pain killer given. She will get up if prodded and limped outside to poo today, so progress. She has been rejecting nuts, but I suppose I would too if I could be spoon fed in my bed!
So, now that we know that she can get up, we are going for a bit of tough love!
I have felt leg all over, and it twitches a bit. Her temperature is fine. She passed afterbirth ok.

I hope I am doing the right thing.......

[debbigord]

Just realised I didn't update this.

Bea was fine in the end, but needed pigiotherapy twice a day, and spoon feeding mashed bananas, baby milk formula and risks for quite some time. We very nearly lost her, but she pulled through, as did all her lovely babies.
What I learnt was how important it is to get them up and moving- she just wanted to lay down and die, her muscles were wasting and all her considerable weight was on her internal organs. We had to push and shove her and keep her up for 20 mins twice a day. But everyday was easier and now she is fine - hurrah!
Thanks as always to all for advice, good to know you are there. X