[Mrs Snoodles]

I had a good chat with the vet this morning about my gigantic soon to farrow  gilt.  basically last night she was struggling to get on her front trotters and even sit, so I thought enough was enough.   

For anyone else that may find themselves in a similar position I thought I'd better share this:   Oxytocin is only to be given to a pig when she has started to farrow and is having trouble expelling the piglets or afterbirth.  It is not for inducing.  2ml Lutalyse is what is needed, shot in the neck.  It usually works within 24hrs but it can take up to 48hrs.

Our saga continues  . After seeing the vet, I got back to farm all ready to give the shot, prepare for piglets tomorrow. What do you know.....
 
My girl is UP AND ABOUT, bright and breezy.  She was snorting away at me, doing that chatty thing they do,
 I got a big head budge move etc, she ate her food lovely and then had a big drink and a wander.  She looked great  We finally had a good look at her underline and teats and we are nearly there.  Needless to say we are holding off inducing. It just doesn't seem the right thing to do at the moment....

Reading various articles I saw that the estrus period can last up to 60hrs and be as little as 12, and the gestation period is not really that defined.  I've seen 112 up to 119 days mentioned, AND length overdue dates.  All very puzzling.

[cleopatra]

2ml Lutalyse is what is needed, shot in the neck.  It usually works within 24hrs but it can take up to 48hrs.

is this what is routine given in big farms so they farrow during staffed hours??

good luck with the farrowing x

[Fowgill Farm]

i've known a sow be seven days late so 
mandy

[PigManDan]

Hello all,

Just incase anyone was wondering

I have used lutalyse in large scale herds before and find it can be very harsh on the piglets and sow. A product called Estrumate is far better and if given intra-vulva only requires a dose of 0.8ml. If giving Lutalyse intra-vulva it requires either one 1.0ml dose or two 0.5ml doses 5 hours appart.

Just my 2 cents

[cleopatra]

what would happen if someone induced them when the service dates were wrong, would they still be born 3 weeks early - if so would the piglets survive?

[PigManDan]

Deffinatly not

Anything 109 days or under is classed as an abortion, the piglets will be fully formed, but will be born with red patches on their skin and will be constantly squeeling in pain. Had this happen a few times, where the sow has returned and not been recorded then we induced to the original mating.

If you are not sure of exact mating dates its best to steer clear of induction