[Glaswegian]

Hi all.
i have 2 tamworth weaners.i bought them three weeks ago when they were 8 weeks old. they have been fine up untill this weekend when i noticed they're legs seem to be buckling under them from time to time. they are eating and drinking as usual,and still running around,but when they stop to feed or are rooting around this is when the legs start to go weak. is this a serious condition (these are my first pigs).

                                             regards.johnie.

[Hilarysmum]

Is it just the back legs and they sit down very quickly, in which case we had this in a group of bought in tamworths, never discovered what caused it, they went on to slaughter with no problems.  If its all four legs then sorry have no idea.

[Glaswegian]

Hi hilarysmum.
sometimes it's the front,sometimes the back,sometimes both together.

[Glaswegian]

hi all.
been out to check the pigs this morning,and both are back to normal.no signs of yesterday's goings on. could heat affect pigs like this? a farmer up the road told me pigs can suffer badly from heatstroke/cramps.

                                  regards.johnie.

[Hilarysmum]

Hi I asked the only "expert" I know and he thought heatstroke.  Do they have a wallow and plenty of shade?  Not that this will necessarily prevent sun stroke, they do love to sunbathe.  Glad they are well now. 

[Glaswegian]

HI.
i was out this evening and dug a wallow for them.they don't have much shade apart from their shed,but i will rectify this as next week is promised a scorcher.

                          cheers.

[Greenerlife]

I have just today noticed one of my Berkshires behaving the same way - it's terrifying!  Looks terrible like he's dizzy then falls over.  It is very overcast but hot here and they do have a wallow but must admit I feel a bit like it as well!  Will check them again later and tomorrow but it panicked me and I knew somebody else had written about it on this forum.  I feel a bit better - let's hope the pigs do soon too!

[MiriMaran]

Keep an eye on it.That is how Spotty started then her head started to hang squint and she could only stagger in circles.  We got the vet out and he treated her for Meningitis.  I think I started a tread about it on here.  She never got back to 100% but went to slaughter as scheduled this morning.

I don't mean to scare monger, but just keep an eye on them to see whether it looks neurological rather than general weekness.

[Greenerlife]

Yep - he got worse as yesterday went on so I called the vet out.  Listeria (like meningitis) diagnosed and treated with antibiotics.  Apparently frequently picked up in spoiled food (not aplicable here) or through the soil or bedding.  He's a lot better this morning thankfully a bit bloodshot in the eyes but not staggering about. Fingers crossed!

[suziequeue]

BLimey - what a scare. Glad yr pig is getting better greenerlife.

What's the score about bedding?

We have straw in the pig palace but we haven't changed it. We just add more when it looks a bit threadbare. They don't soil in their palace at all.

Should we be changing it completely?

Susanna

[Hilarysmum]

Glad he is ok. 

susiequeue, we only ever top up the bedding they shouldnt soil if they have access to outside.

[Daisys Mum]

Good to hear your pig is getting better it is such a worry when they are sick, I lost one last year and still have no idea why.

[Greenerlife]

What's the score about bedding?

My post was a bit unclear - sorry.  Listeria can be picked up through listeria germs being on the straw or bedding, or through the soil where the pigs are kept.  Can't tell which.  The good news is that the other pigs are fine and apparently it isn't contagious, although the others may pick it up in the same manner. 

I tend to find that most pigs don't soil their bedding!

[Greenerlife]

Sorry to hijack your thread but have another update on my Berkshire.  Sadly, this morning he was staggering about again with his head held high not seeming to be able to see where he was going and didn't eat anything,  I was scared to tears!  Phoned the vet and then had to administer the injections of penicillin and some other stuff (I forget what) myself, which was easier than I thought it would be - he was very easily led into a coralled area and quiet when I injected him.  Poor little piggie.  Have to do this every day for 5 days now and hopefully all will be well.  (Hope so I can't afford any more vet bills!)

[jameslindsay]

Fingers crossed all turns out well.