[Eastling]

We have got two vets coming out to take a blood sample from one of out gilts in the morning. Has anyone else had this done? any advice would be good!

[HappyHippy]

A can of beer to chill her out - an hour before the vet is due    or a shot of stresnil once they get there (beer's better though IMHO)
Try if you can, to construct a very small pen or crush using gates/hurdles (don't give her room to move or turn round in it and try to have the side open so the vet can get in there to take the sample rather than going in from the top) and if you have a wooden brush shank, she'll bite on this and you can use it to keep her head still (in the absence of having a snare for her mouth/snout)
Try to stay relaxed yourself too (easier said than done, I know  ) but she'll pick up if you're stressed - so deep breaths to soothe both of you and just keep talking to her to keep her calm.
Good luck 
Karen x

[Eastling]

I was thinking of a bottle of vodka for me! the vets plan to use a snare, never seen one used before but sure she won't like it! then it will be stabbing to find the jugular. Will see if i can find some sheep hurdles as we don't have any. They are housed in a stable so plenty of room for her to give us the run around! Thanks Karen
Will keep you updated!!

[HappyHippy]

As long as you keep her 'contained' she'll not get too stressed.
The snare goes over the snout and no, they don't like it much    but it does do a good job of keeping the head still (important when you're working with needles and at the sharp end of the pig )
It'll all be fine - just remember, it's for her own good, 5 minutes of stress for a lifetime of health and happieness 

[Fowgill Farm]

Hi
Just nosy can i ask why they're doing a blood test?
Mandy 

[Eastling]

Thanks Karen I was a veterinary nurse for 18yrs so know the priciples but still difficult as never taught about large animals. Just want to do the right thing for her and hopefully get a diagnosis and the right treatment.
Once again thanks for the info and suggestions 

[Eastling]

Mandy
Both my girls have had temps of up to 39 degrees  on and off since last July Been treated with Finadyne and pen & strep which did seem to sort it. Then one had a nasal discharge which i swabbed and sent to the lab, came back as fungal so treated with Baytril inj and Nystan in Sept. Then in April all started again with high temps Had suggested blood test but vets were not keen, rang them again this week and they have agreed to do a blood sample, so we can hopefully get to the bottom of the problem.
 

[Eastling]

All done!
After a lot of barking my OH managed to attach the snare the vet got the blood on first attempt. But what a noise. She is still talking to us so no lasting damage thank god   Her sister carried on sleeping in the other stable, didn't even come and see if she was okay!

[Fowgill Farm]

Glad all went well, hope this brings an answer to this problem and that there is a solution readily available.
mandy 

[Eastling]

Thanks Mandy. how is your boy doing?
 

[Mammyshaz]

Good to hear she is non the worse for her ordeal. 
Sisters! Obviously the same in the animal kingdom as ours 

[Fowgill Farm]

Up and about but still very wobbly and the new drugs have upset his tummy   but wearing cut off socks to stop rubbing the skin off his knees as when he gets tired he drops onto them. looks like an Olympic pig! Slow progress but looks to be going the right way. Thanks for asking
Mandy 
ps mammy shaz agree on the sister thing!

[Eastling]

Also agree with the sister thing
Mandy could you give him so probiotics for his tum? can we have a pic of the olympic pig? bless him hope he carries on making good progress

[Fowgill Farm]

MUch better this morning. had a read of the antibiotics bottle and upset tummy is one of the side affects but says it should settle in day or so, he is much firmer this morning! Had all his breakfast c/w metacam and has been plastered with sudocrem on sore knees and socks replaced (HEAD ones today) and trotters sprayed with terramycin and is snoring his head off in a big soft bed of new straw, had a mammy hug and i've come to work for a rest!
Will try to get a phot of him later.
Mandy 
ps forgot to add he's on electrolytes as well as i was worried he wasn't drinking enough, hes one well looked after pig!

[Eastling]

Glad he is making good progress, pleased to hear he changes his socks each day! sounds like he is as pampered as ours. Can't beat a piggie cuddle  minus the mud of course! I've just been out and plastered mine in sun cream as we have sun!! and the wallow seems to miss them. Sudocream is great stuff looking forward to the photo