What to do if the pig does not stand up, causes of the problem and methods of treatment
Pigs, like any other animal, can get sick. There are many diseases that piglets suffer from. However, the most common problem is when they fall to their feet. Many farmers do not know what to do when the pig does not stand up.
Why pigs and piglets have legs fail
Before fixing a problem, you need to familiarize yourself with the underlying causes of it.
Infectious diseases
The main reason why the mumps stopped getting up on their feet is the appearance and development of infectious diseases. Common diseases include:
- Plague. This is a dangerous ailment that a piglet suffers from at any age. If you do not start treatment in time, the animal may be completely paralyzed. In sick pigs, legs fail, appetite worsens and weakness appears.
- Erysipelas. The disease develops in young pigs 3-4 months old. In animals, joints become inflamed, due to which they stop walking and sit on their feet.
- Flu. When swine flu develops, the piglets may stop walking. The rest of the symptoms are the same as in humans.
- Teschen's disease. The disease is more common in young pigs up to six months of age. Sick animals develop diarrhea, vomiting, and rhinitis symptoms. Also, due to a decrease in body temperature and weakness, the piglet cannot rise to its feet.
Stress
If the pig has sat on its hind legs, do not immediately think that it is sick with something. This problem does not always appear due to diseases. Sometimes this happens due to stressful situations. Most often, stress occurs in animals that live in a barn alone. Piglets also face stressful situations, which are often relocated to a new place. In this case, animals stand on their own feet immediately after the end of stress.
Parasites
Another common reason pigs fall to their feet is parasites. Most often, small pigs encounter worms. They have a negative effect on them, since the weakened organism of young animals cannot cope with the toxic effects. Because of this, they gradually become exhausted, weaken and stop walking.
In order for the pig to start getting back on its feet, it is necessary to remove the worms from its body. To do this, they are given special drugs against parasites. The dosage is determined individually, depending on the weight of the pig.
Containment breach
If the piglet has fallen to its feet, it is worth thinking about the conditions in which it is kept.The following can lead to such a problem:
- high level of humidity;
- a cold floor with no extra straw bedding;
- low air temperature in the barn;
- draft.
Therefore, if it is too cold and damp in the barn, you should start warming it or choose another room for keeping piglets.
Lack of vitamins and minerals
If the piglet has failed legs, it may be lacking in micronutrients. Sometimes animals do not have enough iron, which leads to the development of anemia. This makes them weak and stops walking normally. Calcium deficient gilts also have a problem.
The lack of this substance leads to the appearance of rickets, which negatively affects the functioning of the limbs.
Diagnostic methods
Determining the reason why the pig stopped walking is not as difficult as it might initially seem. For example, if a piglet shows symptoms of one of the infectious diseases, then most likely it fell to its feet because of this. Problems with stool and digestion in an animal indicate the presence of parasites.
How to deal with the problem
Elimination of the problem directly depends on the causes of its occurrence:
- Infections. If the animal suffers from infectious diseases, it will have to be treated. In this case, the treatment should be prescribed by a veterinarian.
- Stress. Walking outside the barn will help relieve the piglet from stress.
- Parasites. Levamisole, which is administered intramuscularly, will help to recover from worms.
- Unsuitable conditions. To improve the conditions for keeping animals, it is necessary to insulate the floor and walls. It is also recommended to organize a ventilation system so that it is not too stuffy in summer.
- Vitamin deficiency. To prevent the development of vitamin deficiency in animals, they are regularly given vitamin complexes.
Prevention
The following preventive measures are distinguished, thanks to which the piglet will not fall to its feet:
- add food that contains minerals and vitamins to the diet;
- regularly let animals go for a walk;
- periodically carry out a proglist;
- do vaccinations to increase immunity.
Conclusion
Many pig farmers find it difficult to stand up. To get rid of this problem, you need to understand the causes of its occurrence and the methods of elimination.
