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Author Topic: Limping sow  (Read 3097 times)

Berkshire Boy

  • Joined May 2011
  • Presteigne, Powys
Limping sow
« on: August 10, 2012, 04:41:09 pm »
I have a sow that limps on her back leg, walking on the very tip of her toe only. This has been going on a little while I first noticed it when she was in having a litter so I put it down to a sprain. I gave her some anti inflammatory and it seemed to get a bit better. She is now out in the pens and I have just moved her and it seems as bad as before. She gets up slowly a bit like me achy looking and walks slowly.
My problem is she suffers the worst in the herd from selenium deficiency and nearly died last year, but she is the rarest of the Berkshire bloodlines and was shown so is a good example. Do I spend more money on vet bills or sausage her, what do you think.
Also do you think it could be Mycoplasma Arthritis?  :thinking:
Everyone makes mistakes as the Dalek said climbing off the dustbin.

HappyHippy

  • Guest
Re: Limping sow
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2012, 06:57:22 pm »
What age is she BB ? (and how much do you want to spend keeping her going ?)
If it is mycoplasma you can treat with lincomycin or tiamulin injections for 4 days which should clear it up, or you can get fluid drained from the joint to test for it. (Obviously if there's no swelling at the hock joint it's not going to be possible to test it - but that seems to be a symptom of mycoplasma, so if there's no swelling that might be a good thing ?) According to the Pig site, sows normally develop an immunity which is also passed on to their offspring, but if she's not immune she might not be passing the immunity on to her offspring either.
I think (if it was me) I'd be trying to test for it first and take it from there - it could be something else altogether  ;)
If there's a good breed example in her latest litter, it might be worth keeping her instead - a cold, damp winter could see the sow off her feet and if she's in-pig it might be even worse  :(

All that's assuming it is mycoplasma arthritus - only one way to check for sure  ;) I've not had any personal experience of it, sorry can't be of more help.

oaklandspigs

  • Joined Nov 2009
  • East Sussex
    • OaklandsPigs
Re: Limping sow
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2012, 07:12:30 pm »
Even the best have to go eventually.  unless very young, oersonally if she has not responded to previous treatment, I'd tend to suasage rather than spend lots on tyring to get her better.
 
If it is mild, then maybe you could get a final litter and new one to carry on the line.
 
 
 
 
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robert waddell

  • Guest
Re: Limping sow
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2012, 07:49:56 pm »
unfortunately all livestock is susceptible arthritis  and some breeds more than others   we had a very young boar that was affected   our vet put it down to to rapid growth in the early months   and before you ask it was a tamworth    his son is not affected in anyway
 
do you jag for erysipelas or have you had this in your pigs :farmer:
« Last Edit: August 10, 2012, 09:34:20 pm by robert waddell »

Berkshire Boy

  • Joined May 2011
  • Presteigne, Powys
Re: Limping sow
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2012, 09:10:30 pm »
Karen she is coming upto 3 so not old. How much to spend on her is a hard one, I think I will take her to the vet which saves £40 and see what they say.
Robert I don't jab for ery and have never had it, can't see signs of it on her.
I think the boar served her yesterday mud on her back but I moved her out today and put her in with a couple of youngsters, less stress for her. Her last litter have all gone so will see what the vet says and maybe she's pregnant. Anyone got a Doppler I can borrow.  :roflanim:
Everyone makes mistakes as the Dalek said climbing off the dustbin.

Hassle

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Lincolnshire
Re: Limping sow
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2012, 09:17:18 pm »
BB sounds like you got it right .. take to the vet and get tested then you can decide sausage or to pig

 

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