[Micko]

Need some help!!!!!

Some of our pigs (Lops and OSB) have come down with Greasy Pig Disease and we're having to inject them.....um....sounds nice and easy and straightforward. So we thought anyway!

What a complete and utter NIGHTMARE. They're all in the same large paddock area with no way of containing in a small space (tried using pallets with no great success) so ended up grabbing the rear legs and up ending them whilst the Mrs tried to take careful aim. After several snapped syringes we eventually got them done....but there's got to be a better way???

We've just today ordered some Slap Shot tubing and gun injector out of desperation.....anyone had any experience using this?? Sounds a canny idea as the tubing takes up the movement of the pig so better for them and us but can it be easy as that?

Got a repeat performance tomorrow night so hoping the Slap Shot will arrive in time. Otherwise more bruises coming my way to add to the collection!

Any top tips would be gratefully received......ta loads - Micko.

[oaklandspigs]

Yes we use slapshot all the time - it is brilliant!

Pigs tend to have what is called "transient pain" - that is they react to a stimulus and then go back to nornal.

So you stickthe business end of the slapshot into the pig,  but be prepared for your pig to jump and move, but follow it and then squeeze the syringe.  Then just pull the whole lot using the syringe and it will come out of the pig.

Best pig investment we made !

[onnyview]

Micko,

I totally understand how difficult injecting pigs is NIGHTMARE! I've never used the slap injection you've got and I hope that works out for you.  I always worry if there's something still attached to the pig post injection, you've still got to get it back somehow!

If you're keeping pigs long term, I would invest in a Masterject, a pressurised injection system that's attached to a pole and a gun. It injects up to 20ml very quickly so most doses are in the pig before you, or they, can blink. If they move, the injection stops so the drug isn't wasted. It's expensive, but worth it!  I don't break out in a cold sweat any more when I have to inject my sows.

[Hilarysmum]

Just ivomeced our lot .... it was a nightmare. 

[Micko]

Thanks for the advice.....really appreciated as we're dreading the next load of injections. Will let you know how we get on with the slap shot tomorrow as long as it arrives in time. Comforting to hear from you Oaklandspigs that it's a reasonable bit of kit. One thing that concerns me though is getting the needle out of the pig if it's rushing off.....is it just a case of tugging back on the tube and hey presto??

The Masterject sounds class onnyview....also sounds expensive also!!?? Mind you we are starting out with the longterm definitely in mind and are also now considering routine vaccinations so no doubt will be faced with injections on a reasonably regular basis....so maybe when funds allow it might be a good longterm option. Like the idea of it being pressurised and fired into the pig before they realise whats happening. Is it accurate and straightfoward though to hit the right spot, being on a pole....just thinking with the pigs moving around all the time like ours do even when feeding?

How do you inject yours Hilarysmum? Sounds like you've had a bit of a mare like us!

[smiffy]

load all the pigs in to a trailer at one time, then they are confined.
use a board to corner them in the trailer its the easiest way.

or
hinge a second gate to your field gate, pursuade pig to go in for food close the gate with a board behind pig to stop them going backwards and oh inject

or get pigs head in a feed bucket and back them into a corner hold bucket on head whilst other half injects

these are the three methods we use, my oh does the restraining as he is stronger whilst i inject.

for weaners the wheel barrow method works best, but as they get bigger they take some holding!!

[Micko]

Those are some top tips smiffy...ta loads. Especially like the second gate option along with the feed bucket. The wheelbarrow method is just about ok at the moment for us but they are now getting nervous while feeding with me approaching from behind them to grab a leg then the secong leg.

[gavo]

Our vets  use the slap and stab method they slap their buttock then stab in the needle only; wait a second or three for the pig to settle and then attach the syringe and give the injection it seems to work pretty well  it is best done at feed time as they are less likely to run too far away we have used this method ourselves with success.

[Micko]

Blimey that's an interesting approach gavo....like it!

[Hilarysmum]

Its great as long as you dont have to inject two or three days in a row, they get wise to it very quickly.

[gavo]

Ah but we have used this on pigs for repeated doses; they do get a little wary; but we have found that with a little alteration in timing; ie one day start of feed ;one day end of feed etc and also by spending time just rubbing the pigs you can generally get round them and get the job done.

[oaklandspigs]

The slapshot has "Luer lock" connections - in effect you screw the needle into the flexible lead, so no chance of it staying in the pig and yes you just pull on the tube and it all comes away.

[Rhodie]

I use the slapshot for the wild boar, I don't risk getting close to them when injecting! never had a lost or broken needle. The domestic pigs are in radials so they can be enticed into the hurdle pen for vaccinating etc, I usually bucket feed them on the fence line and vaccinate them in the open, but I have been working with them for a few years so have developed the rapport with my stock.
Another option to restrain pigs for injecting, tagging etc, is to use a rope noose through the mouth and upper jaw,as the pig pulls back, you hold them steady and you can do any quick operation such as injecting, tagging or ringing.

[gavo]

Yeah but it is a horrible method both for the handler and the pig. We never inject a pig except for antibiotics in the case of illness. We don't routinely vacccinate against anything and wormers are given orally;so injections are exceedingly rare at our place.

[Farm and country]

If its any help we've sold quite a few slap shots to agricultural colleges and "petting" farms with excellent feed back. They have been quite popular with less confident handlers, and obviously from the point of view of the college, the safety side of things is very important (not good to have a pig running around with a broken needle in it!).  We started stocking them due to customer demand!

Hope this helps