one of the pigs is down. He isn't all the way down. He just can't seem to get up on his back legs. I don't know if he hurt one or what. I cannot see anything wrong with his back legs (though they are hard to see since he keeps sitting on them) and he scoots over to the feeder and eats and drinks. He even still fights with the other one. I am hoping he is just a little lame and will be up again in a few days. Advice is welcome here.
It always amazes me how small they look in the pictures when I know how huge they really are.
The brakes went out on him in town and he drove it the rest of the way home without them tonight.
The good news is (yes, there is some) that Phil managed to get the brakes on and the step fixed before dark. Now we just need that pig back up on his feet and all will be well.
I'll also leave this post with one last positive since I would rather not have a post of all bad things...
No advice on the pig here but maybe it is time to go ahead and take him to the market before it gets any worse and you loose the whole pig.
ReplyDeleteWell, the pig was up on his feet this morning. Very stiff but up. He did not stay up long but I know he hasn't broken a leg or anything like that. I believe now it may be arthritis (been reading my pig book) because we had some rain and then several nights of very cold temperatures.(I did add lots of straw to their house during this cold period). It is warmer now so maybe he will not have to be butchered just yet (though that was a definite option).
DeleteHi Becky,
DeleteI was going to suggest the same thing, get him processed before it worsens but if he is improving, I would watch and wait. Glad to hear he is back on his feet.
I have zero experience with pigs so I won't say much ;).
Cannot believe your hubby didn't get hurt on that step! My back aches just looking at that picture.
Congrats on that tomato...I'm envious :)
Carolyn
I would use the picture of the broken wooden stairs for my blog on how not to stop reaching your dreams. I will acknowledge you and your site.
DeleteI hope your pig gets better.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Mr Pig. Nice tomato to be.
ReplyDeleteWell, the pig was up but the truck had 'other' issues so Phil has missed a day of work to try to fix it.
ReplyDeleteLife has a way of planning your evenings for you sometime. But that was a very productive evening. I hope the pig continues to recover so he can put on some more weight.
ReplyDeletehey! i sent you an email :-)
ReplyDelete*hugs*
Hope the pig soon gets better. Maybe you should call the vet or a local pig breeder and ask a few questions.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a vet for livestock here that I know of and I have contacted a breeder, just waiting for him to get back to me. Thanks.
DeleteOh, and the pig did get up on his feet again tonight and walk (small steps) to the feeder.
If the lets are hurting the pig it'll show up as lower gain, or no gain, for that pig. If it's up and walking around it may just be a sprain, or possibly a bite from the other pig and soreness, but no long term injury.
ReplyDeleteWatch the weight of the pig and compare it to the other one; If it were my pig, and it wasn't gaining, I'd probably butcher it sooner than later to get the best value from the animal. If you let it go too far it'll use up all its fat reserves and won't be as tasty, imo
it's pretty common to get small punctures that turn into abcesses; with pallet fencing there's small nails that will do that. So look carefully at the back feet and lets of the pig for a bump that indicates an abcess. I treat those by lancing and draining them. For stubborn ones a course of antibiotics -- penicillin or LA 200 - will work.
It's not economic usually to call a vet for a meat animal.
The pigs have a pallet house but they are in a chain link pen. Though I will check his feet, if possible. I really thought calling a vet would have been more than it would be worth, especially since the pig is already up again. So far the pig is not losing any weight that I can tell. The feed store was out of their pig pellets this week and sent me home with All Stock Pellets which they don't like quite as well but do eat it. I really appreciate you answering this one, I was hoping I would hear from you.
DeleteI agree with Bruce King. Sound like good advice. You probably know this, be sure and read the instructions on the antibiotics (if giving). I know there is a time period after giving the medicine like LA 200 before they can be butchered.
ReplyDeleteIf the two pigs are fighting the other pig may have just hurt him. Hope he gets well soon. I really enjoy reading your blog. Found your blog from your comments on Jenna's blog.
Yes I had known that about the antibiotics as I try to do as much research as possible especially when I get a new animal. He is moving around really well today and is almost back to normal.
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