[Marches Farmer]

Have a newly-farrowed GOS gilt that won't settle, to put it mildly.  On her feet and "chuffering" her distress constantly. The 2 piglets had colostrum and we are presently hand-rearing. Vet thinks the combination of hormones and stress is over-riding the megadose of sedative he gave her yesterday - she didn't even sit down!  If anyone has a sow due to farrow in the next couple of days we'll gladly give them the piglets free of charge to try fostering them on.  We're in Herefordshire.

[deepinthewoods]

could she have more inside??

im no expert, as most of the piggy people here know,

anyone?

[Lagmore]

Has she only had 2?

[HappyHippy]

It sounds like she might have more - especially being so restless 
Did the vet give her any oxytocin to help the womb contract ? Did he do an internal examination to MAKE SURE there were no piglets still inside ?

Piglets who've been hand reared never do as well as others (many don't even make it to weaning, especially if they've not had colostrum), so I'd try and get her sorted/settled and put them back to her, they really stand the best chance with her.
After making sure she's not got stuck piglets (or maybe before because it'll help) give her a couple of cans of beer - seriously  Just put it into her water bowl and she'll drink it, it'll help her to relax (and is so much easier and less stressful than having to try and jag her in this kind of situation)
IMHO your sow NEEDS further attention - now !

Good luck and come back and let us know how she's doing 
Karen
 

[Marches Farmer]

Had two vet visits, been checked internally.  Vet grew up on a pig farm and reckons combination of stress & hormones acting like amphetamines on her system.  She's had the full cocktail - Betacam, 2 Oxytocin, sedative, antibiotic.  Also gave her a Guinness mash with no effect (but she certainly enjoyed it!)  We got two feeds of colostrum into the piglets while she was busy voiding the afterbirth.  Don't know why she's so stressed - lived here all her life, in her present sty, well handled and usually very friendly.  Have been feeding the piglets with a lambing bottle to get them used to suckling from a teat but I suspect by the time they get strong enough to get stuck in her milk will have dried up.  She's calmed a little tonight but gets up and moves off as soon as we go near her, so we haven't been able to suckle the piglets or milk her off.

Oh, well, at least it's stopped raining .....

[Fowgill Farm]

Spoke to marches farmer earlier in the day so looks like no real progress, long shot coming up, you say everytime you go in and out she's up and grumping, this long shot will take time and an incredible amount of patience on your part, go and sit with her if she will let you, not necessarily on top of her but close enough for her to smell you and stay with her stroking and soothing again if she will let you, note this may take some hours so take your flask and lamp with you, don't let anyone come and disturb the two of you (mobile on silent so you can still summon help when required) keep the babbies nearby in a box, laundry basket whatevers to hand so she can hear them and sniff them if she likes. As i say its a waiting game and after several hours of calm you may be able to get the piglets onto her as she becomes less aggressive, keep the lighting low if poss and everything serene and calm, nothing sudden, nothing that might set her off on her high horse again.
wish there was more i could suggest.
best of luck
mandy

[cleopatra]

sit with her if she will let you, not necessarily on top of her but close enough for her to smell you and stay with her stroking and soothing again

if she is aggressive/boisterous, we found a round hayfeeder in the stable a handy, sturdy thing to stand inside for your safety.

[HappyHippy]

Sorry, didn't mean to tell you how to suck eggs  Glad the vet knows pigs and all's well from that angle 

I'd second Mandy's advice (and keep going with the guiness mash to help her stay 'chilled')
A bit of time now might just mean you end up with a contented, attentive mum who becomes a great breeding sow 
Keep us posted

[Berkshire Boy]

Marches farmer if its any help I have a Berkshire sow that farrowed last night. I'm just outside kington Herefordshire.

[Marches Farmer]

Hopefully I've PM'd you with our contact details. Gist is 'Yes please' Please let us know how you want to progress this.

[Fowgill Farm]

Well done BB    i told MF what fantastic people were on here and was sure soembody would be able to help. Let us know how you get on.
Mandy

[Mrs Snoodles]

Lovely to read that help is available.  ...gonna add a few cans of Guinness the shopping list today 

[Berkshire Boy]

I now have 2 little GOS piglets snuggled up with 8 Berkshires and mum seems quite happy with the additions.

[deepinthewoods]

 

[colliewoman]