[P6te]

Elsie has picked up considerably tonight, she ate well and acted more as I expected her too.  Apples, Pears and Bananas certainly helped!!

I've checked on the food she was previously eating and the Pig Nuts whilst not the same brand are very similar to the ones we feed.  All water in the run that was previously Well Water has been discarded and refilled with mains water ... just so we can see if it makes any difference.

[dixie]

Bananas usually do the trick! Glad she's picked up.

[P6te]

Update this morning .... food including bananas and pears readily taken but water still not being consumed in adequate quantity. Her poo's are too dry more like pellets. Will try apple juice in her water later but any other tips to encourage drinking gratefully received.

Pete

[Fowgill Farm]

Glad you found farrowing article of interest and hope you can use some of it as pointers for your own setup.
Try very dilute milk to get her to drink we once took a sow to a show and it was hot and she just would not drink and it was getting worrying so i bought a pint of milk and tipped it into a half filled bucket of clean water and she drank greedily we gradually got to the point where the water was merely coloured by a drop of milk.  HTH
Mandy 
(temp filling and an x-ray at dentist have to go back next week! )

[P6te]

Thanks Mandy,

We have found that she will drink whatever milk is given to her but their is a limit!! Pure milk she drinks readily but add too much water and she knows the difference .... Just need to wean her back onto water which I'm looking to do by adding apple juice to the water as previously suggested.

Regarding our setup, one this occasion Elsie will farrow in the ark I made (previously pictured) that is 8' x 8' with a waterproof ply floor, rear door and farrowing bar (scaffolding!!) already fitted but I do plan on building a separate area for farrowing / winter accommodation.  When constructing that I will certainly take on-board ideas from your article.

Pete

ps.  hope your temporary filling last till next week!!

[LOCHBYRE]

Glad to hear she's eating better   
Keep us updated 

[P6te]

Thursday 10th update ....

Elsie is eating reasonably ok, albeit with the enticement of lots of fruit as well as pig nuts made into a mash with milk.  However she is still not drinking anything like the amount I consider she should be .... I've just taken her temperature and it is 37.9c .......

[robert waddell]

have you had the vet to her    at that temp she is either toxic or hypothermic

[P6te]

Thank you for your reply Robert, at this point (having only just established her temperature) no, but based on your comment I will.  Any other thoughts / comments welcome ....

Pete

[HappyHippy]

Mine all tend to sit around 39C - so it's a little bit low, but I wouldn't panic just yet.
If she was hypothermic you'd see shivering and she'd seem 'off'.
Does she seem well in herself ?
Has the constipation eased ?
Is her straw bed damp at all ?

I'd top up her bed, get a feed into her and take it again. If you have any electrolites (get them at your local agri store) try mixing that with her water to help re-hydrate her.
If you've got a heat lamp for farrowing I'd plug it in for her now - she might have got chilled during the move 
But a phonecall to the vet doesn't cost anything 

HTH
Karen

[P6te]

Thanks Karen ... at lunch time when I went to see her she came out (when I called her) and was happily lazing outside (it was relatively mild / warm outside) but did retreat back to her ark.  She wasn't showing any sign of shivering but did not take a treat of a banana when offered but did drink some watered down apple juice.

Regarding her straw bedding, I didn't specifically check but it looked ok.  Constipation wise, I'd say not although some of her poo this morning was looking more normal.

The main issue as I see it (other than her low temperature) is that she isn't drinking enough water. Its almost as if she doesn't realise it's there!

[robert waddell]

this is the third day if not more that she is just not right  her temp is not normall artificial heat is not going to suddenly make that life changing decision      why did the previous sell her or allow her to travel so near the farrowing

[Berkshire Boy]

I do think you are dragging your heels regards calling the vet. You have a sow with litter due soon who has been moved too late in her pregnancy and has been off colour for 3 days or so. If you are not careful you will loose the sow and litter, far more value than a vets bill.

[P6te]

I've just spoken to the vet and put her fully in the picture and she said we are doing the right things and did not feel it was necessary to come out. 

If the vet remotely suggested a visit I'd have taken her up on it but she was very clear on that .....

All advice very welcome .... many thanks.

[goosepimple]

Perhaps small nibble size floating treats so she takes in water too, and then there's always sweet cider when she's producing the minis, wish someone had given me some when I was having the kids