Medical Tips
| Gestation Calculator Farrowing Vaccinations and Shots Castration Erysipelas |
Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia
(APP) Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) |
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Gestation
Normal gestation for a pig is 115 days. However, pregnancies may vary from 111 - 121 days. Below is a gestation calculator that will help you estimate your farrowing date.
Farrowing
Signs
The sow may appear nervous and paw at the ground. You may notice muscular contractions in the flank, belly and tail. Her bag will also fill with milk and could possibly leak prior tp farrowing.
Assisting the Sow in Farrowing
The average time between births is 15 minutes, however they can range
anywhere from 0 to 30 minutes. If you see your sow having a difficult
time and more than 45 minutes have passed since the last birth, you will
need to assist your sow. First you should thuroughly wash your hands and
arms. Then, if possible wear a clean pair of latex gloves. You might also
want to use a swine approved lubrication. DO NOT use regular soap. Check
the sow to makre sure there is no blockage. Then gently slide your hand
into the sow and check the position of the pigs. You may need to move
them into the birth canal. Sometimes the sow's uterus can become twisted.
If this is the case, you will need to get the sow to stand up and walk
around. If you are still unsuccesful in assisting the sow in farrowing,
you will need to contact your vet immediately.
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Vaccinations and Shots
General vaccinations given are: Deawormer (Dectomax®) and vaccinations
to protect against erysipelas, parvovirus infection (SMEDI syndrome),
E. coli diarrhoea, clostridial dysentery of piglets, enzootic pneumonia
caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, necrotic pleuropneumonia caused by
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and atrophic rhinitis caused by toxigenic
Pasteurella multocida.
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Castration
Do not attempt to castrate your pigs if you are unexperienced. Have a vet demonstrate the procedure and then monitor you. The best time to castrate your pigs is between 1 and 21 days of age. You will need to restrain the pig with either a pig restraint or have a partner assist you. clean the scrotum and surrounding area with a cotton swab soaked in a mild disinfectant. A disinfected, sharp, castration knife, scalpel, or razor-blade type instrument can be used to make the incision. Examine the testicles before making the incision to determine if there are two of similar size. If there is a scrotal enlargement, it could indicate a scrotal hernia or rupture. Do not castrate the pig unless you are trained to repair hernias. The pig's intestines will be forced through the incision. Sometimes the testicle is removed before a scrotal hernia is discovered. If this happens the herniation must be repaired by suturing immediately.
If one or both testicles are not found, the pig may be a cryptorchid, meaning that the testicle(s) failed to descend through the inguinal canal from the abdomen during development. When this condition is noticed, ear notch the pig and make a record of it. Often, the testicle(s) will descend to a normal position as the pig grows. The pig should be castrated later, after the testicle presents itself.
With one hand, tighten the skin over the scrotum to help expose the
testicle and the site for the incision. With the castration instrument,
make two incisions about as long as the testicles near the center of each.
Cut deeply enough to go through the outside body skin. Cutting or not
cutting the white membrane (tunica vaginalis) which surrounds the testicle
is an individual preference and is optional on small pigs. Squeeze, or
pop, the testicles through the incision. If it is difficult to get the
testicle through the incision, enlarge the incision slightly at the end
closest to the tail. Pull out the testicle toward the tail at a right
angle to the length of the body and cut the cord close to the incision.
Do not pull straight up on the testicle. Repeat the procedure for the
second testicle. It is best not to apply antiseptic because it causes
the pig to sit and rub dirt and debris from the floor
or bedding into the incisions, causing more harm than antiseptic does
good.
Later, observe castrated animals for excess bleeding or the presence
of tissue or intestines (hernia). Cut off any cord that may be protruding
from the incision as this may serve as a wick for infection but make sure
it is not intestine. If intestines protrude, gently push them back through
the opening and close up by suturing the tunica vaginalis. It is much
easier to replace the intestines if the tunica vaginalis covering the
testicle is not removed during castration. (Source: Iowa State University)
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Erysipelas
Also known as "Diamond Skin Disease", erysipelas causes fever,
abortion, athritis, reddening of the skin, heart disease and even death.
Erysipelas is caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (formerly E insidiosa)
a bacteria which is commonly present in an estimated 30-50% of tonsils
in healthy pigs. The bacterium is spread through feces, saliva and nasal
secretions. Symptoms for the disease include: Joint stiffness, temperatures
above 40°C, diamond shaped skin lesions or red blotching of skin,
constipation and dry, firm faeces and/or abortion in sows. There are vaccines
to prevent against erysipelas. However, if your pig is diagnosed with
the disease, give him or her a dose of penicillin, which usually produces
a dramatic response within 24-36 hours. Satisfactory results have also
been achieved with tetracyclines, lincomycin and tylosin. DO NOT give
pregnant sows procaine penicillin. This disease is also contaigous to
humans.
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Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia (APP)
APP can cause death within 24 to 48 hours. It is caused by Actinobacillus
pleuropneumoniae, a bacteria. All ages of pigs are susceptible to the
disease. Symptoms include: The Pig(s) lying down a lot, anorexia, high
temperatures (40.5 to 41 degrees Celsius), severe cough, vomiting, abortion
in sows, loss of appetite and even blood in the froth around the mouth
and nostrils. There is a vaccine against APP that should be given. However,
if your pig is diagnosed with APP, you will need to give him or her Excenel/Naxcel,
which are very effective initially, followed up by long acting amoxycillin.
Once the animals start to eat and drink other medication routes can be
considered.
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Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)
PRRS causes abortion, premature farrowing, stillborn and mummified pigs,
and respiratory disease with death loss and chronic poor performance of
nursing and weaned pigs. The disease is caused by a virus. It is transmitted
by contact with such body secretions as nasal mucus, feces, and urine
from infected, shedding swine. Symtoms include: reproductive loss in the
last trimester of gestation, live pigs that do not survive or dead pigs
four to five days before the due date and boars may have low fertility.
There is a vaccine against PRRS. If your pig is diagnosed with PRRS, because
it is caused by a virus, antibiotics have no affect on the disease, however
many vets will administer aniitbiotics to help decrease death loss from
secondary bacterial infections.
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