What to do if a piglet is constipated
Constipation in a piglet may indicate the presence of serious pathologies, the consideration of which is vital for the animal. It may seem to people who keep small pigs that the pigs are absolutely healthy, because their activities and behavior have not changed. It is important to remember that constipation in piglets is not a specific disease, it is only a symptom, the untimely elimination of which may soon turn into a problem. If the age of the mumps is small, then negligence and ignorance of the problem can result in death.
Piglet constipation
How to identify constipation in pigs
Considering the presence of negative painful symptoms in a pet in time is a very important step towards its treatment. Before you do anything, you need to deal with the symptoms of constipation in pigs. Veterinarians have identified the following main indications for the onset and development of a problem:
- dry skin;
- sharp amplitude changes in temperature (rise to 38-40 ° C);
- lack of appetite even for your favorite food;
- head down constantly;
- lethargy and general fatigue;
- bright red rash;
- bent legs and bent body;
- shortness of breath, etc.
The appearance of indications can be caused by improperly selected food, non-compliance with hygiene standards, lack of essential trace elements and minerals, poor living conditions in the barn (too cold or hot). Inadequate food intake times each day and poor feeding practices (overdried or wet feed) can also negatively affect the health of the piglet.
Other symptoms are that the water level in the piglet's drinker remains constant throughout the day. If, when pressing on the belly, the pig begins to make terrible sounds and squeaks, it is necessary to examine it for swelling.
Another most common cause of constipation in pigs is not enough walking or active movement. It is important to take pets for walks only to approved locations without possible hazardous items or other farm animals.
Piglet constipation: what to do
After determining the constipation in the pig, what to do and how to treat, the veterinarian will tell you. At the same time, the owner himself must know how to take emergency measures and help the pet.
The pig breeder's first step is to draw up a strategic action plan. It is necessary to revise the daily and weekly rations for the correct formation. The feed may have expired long ago, or it is stored in poor conditions, subsequently transforming into a too dry or categorically wet mixture. In addition to the listed problems, during the analysis, others may come to light:
- a sharp transition from fatty food to dry, from boiled to steamed;
- good overeating after a long refusal to eat;
- possible weaning of piglets and their transfer to self-feeding;
- lack of drinking water or its terrible quality;
- violation of the feeding regime;
- introduction of new feed structures into the diet, etc.
The pig may have a space that is too limited in size, which makes it difficult to move. Situations are not excluded when constipation is a consequence of infection with bronchitis or pneumonia.
In a small pig, constipation can occur due to an unsuccessful transition to adult food. What do you need to do? They, like babies, should be gradually converted to standard foods, starting with small portions. After weaning from the mother, it is a big mistake to exclude milk from the piglet's diet. The correct solution would be to continue using the familiar product and gradually remove it from the menu. Poisoning can be accompanied by increased dehydration, therefore it is necessary to reproduce water reserves in appropriate quantities.
It happens that an animal needs urgent help, but there is no access to a veterinarian. What should be the initial treatment and first reinforcement? It is required to pour sunflower oil (1 spoon) into the pig's mouth. The rate for a sow and an adult pig is increased to a whole glass of 250 ml.
To ease the painful sensations of pigs, you can drink jelly in water or prepare a decoction of oatmeal. It is advisable to add to both a few (3-5) drops of iodine tincture to obtain an effective antibacterial agent. You can not force the animal to drink tinctures forcibly, so as not to aggravate the situation.
Even if the farmer does not have a medical education, an additional examination can be carried out quickly and easily. It is necessary to carefully examine the fecal masses of the piglet, remember the period of their last appearance and consistency. Their absence for several days is the norm in such pets, but it is advisable to seek help from a specialist.
How to treat
Ordinary farm pigs do not require special expensive medicines, sometimes they even accept treatment with traditional methods positively. How and how to treat constipation in pigs using a home first aid kit? Experts suggest using the following medications:
- Glauber's salt (sodium sulfate) with water and salt. The purpose of this application is to create a dehydration situation to entice water consumption.
- Castor oils.
- Petrolatum.
- Vegetable oil.
- Senna (cassia) leaves, which are used to make infusions and nutritious cereals.
Constipation in pigs can also affect the condition of the piglet. Milk deficiency, its poor quality and consistency, the reluctance of the sow to feed the babies can result in weight loss for the piglet, the loss of vital nutrients.
Starting from the fourth day of life, it is worth placing cleaned dishes in the pigsty. Purified, warm, boiled water should be poured into it. After a day, it is necessary to dilute the diet with the intake of sow's milk. Charcoal or red clay is an excellent source of minerals, and hay cut into small pieces will enrich the pig's nutrition.
Boiled, peeled and grated potatoes can be given to babies from 2 weeks of age. If you adhere to exactly this diet recommended by veterinarians in livestock, constipation will not torment either the pig or the pigs.
Constipation in sows: features and treatment
Sows have a more complex body structure than pigs. The most difficult and important moment in their life cycle is childbirth. Constipation can occur just after childbirth. The sow's body becomes weaker and more easily accessible to infections and bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal disease. The farmer needs to improve the nutrition process and help the animal to quickly return to its previous shape.
The animal diet of sows should be rich in foods with a high content of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients.
What diet should be introduced if a young sow has constipation? Experts have determined the basic rules of farming in the presence of sows that have given birth:
- For 8-10 hours after the survey, you cannot feed the animal with healthy oat bran porridge, which is characterized by laxative properties.
- Pig constipation will not occur if the food intake is gradually increased to normal. Doing this earlier can cause mastitis or heavy milk production.
- From the fourth day, the sow should have a large amount of beets and carrots in the diet. Adding hay and grass flour is desirable from day 6.
- Do not overdo it with nutritious cereals. In this case, you can prevent diarrhea and constipation in pigs. To do this, it is necessary to make a slow and gradual introduction of these products into the daily ration of animals.
If the pig still has constipation, then the pig breeder is recommended to start treatment with cleansing, and then - laxative salt or ordinary warm enemas. It is possible to correct nutrition with the help of processed flax seeds, the mucus of which instantly normalizes the intestines.
After the birth of piglets, the sow wants to protect children from infectious diseases and other troubles. The farmer's actions should be aimed at this as much as possible.
Using the above guidelines, it is easy to identify the symptoms of constipation in piglets, pigs and sows.
It is important to start treatment as soon as any suspicion arises. Doctors remind that self-medication is harmful and dangerous, therefore, having identified the signs, it is better to seek help from a special doctor. He will prescribe accurate and detailed treatment so that the animals recover as quickly as possible and without harm to health.