[Hilarysmum]

This is NOT meant to upset anyone or indeed deter anyone from breeding, its a gentle reminder of what can go wrong especially if the vet is not a porcine expert (and they are very few and far between even here in Brittany which is the biggest pork production area in the world - according to my slaughter man).

http://community.rivercottage.net/users/pigspaddock/forums/pigs/viewtopic/topic_id:26208

Makes interesting reading anyway.

[HappyHippy]

Our vets are not in the habbit of dealing with pigs, which seems to be the norm here in South Lanarkshire as there are not too many people keeping pigs.
That's the main reason why I'm not breeding yet (well, pigs anyway ) I would hate to be in the position where something went wrong and the pig was in distress and I (or the vet) was as much use as a chocolate teapot 
I know even experienced breeders have problems, what chance would I, a novice have of spotting/treating the problems effectively 
No piglets for me until I've done A LOT more homework 

[dixie]

I'm lucky then! I have a friend 2 miles away who had a commercial pig unit for years, so I get tons of help, which  enables me to have 'hands on training'. We also have a proper farm vet available 24/7. Although 'touch wood' the only time I needed the vet was to put a piglet to sleep!

[Sylvia]

I think the same thing applies to breeding any livestock (or any animals come to that!) Unless you have kept animals for a good while and have confidence in (A) your abilities (B) experienced, good neighbours and (C) every confidence in your vet. practice, it may be better to wait before breeding.

[Hilarysmum]

Our vets, lovely as they are, are far better with sheep and cows.  Their panacea for all pig-ills is antibiotics.

[Daisys Mum]

I am on my third lot of weaners for meat and although I have bred sheep horses and dogs, I would not be happy breeding pigs yet having found my vets somewhat lacking when I had a sick pig. Sick pig was so much more difficult to handle than sheep or even horse.

[ukag0972]

It always worries me when people think that all you do is add mummy pig to daddy pig and get baby pigs!!! That would be great if it happened all the time, unfortunately it doesn't!!
Do people realise how dangerous their friendly, placid, tame pig can become when frightened or hurt? We need at least three people on hand if any of our pigs show signs of needing assistance.
Would an inexperienced person feel safe inserting their hand into a sows "bits" during farrowing and would they know what to feel for?
Would they feel confident enough to realise that something is wrong? And that a vet should be called?
There's all the other issues regarding boars and piglet management too!
The list could be endless and it scares me about peoples blasé attitude!

[Hilarysmum]

What is even worse is when the vet doesnt know how to handle the pig.  Hilary has taken two for a ride (literally).  Sadly they dont stop as quickly as she does!!!

As to approaching Hilary when she is not happy, never met the vet yet who was capable, and you cant put a sow in labour in a crush. 

[BadgerFace]

Oh dear, that does make very sad reading 

I consider myself very lucky. I've used the same Farm vets for 27 years, both of the seniors partners have excellent livestock handling skills are are calm, kind and patient. As good as they are, I don't like to see them too often 

My daughter has just sent in her application to the RCVS, The Royal Dick vet school & Bristol. Hopefully in a few years she will also make a good farm vet 

[Hilarysmum]

If she specialises in pigs - send her over here p l e  a   s e   

[dixie]

If you thought that was bad, read this
http://community.rivercottage.net/users/Blonde/forums/pigs/viewtopic/topic_id:26246

[chickenfeed]

:i read it earlier you could not make it up could you, dead and brain come to mind but maybe in a different order!!!!! it makes me mad

[dixie]

To be honest I thought at first it was a wind up! unbelievable really

[daniellestocks]

OMG, just red that RC post! Was she lacking comman sense as well as knowledge??
Some people are unbelievable!

[HappyHippy]

SHOCKING !