Sick Pigs
Sick pigs are a worry. This week I went out to feed the pigs and just as I had given them their feed, suddenly both Cagney and Lacy started to be sick. I had given them a couple of apples which is not out of the ordinary and their barley and pig concentrate mix. I thought that the apples had made the pigs sick and as Lacy recovered quickly I was sure this was the case but Cagney was unwell all day;
- she was physically sick a few times,
- she wouldn’t eat,
- she was drinking lots,
- she looked subdued,
- she didn’t want to get up.
I was very worried and kept popping out to check that the sows were ok. By late evening Cagney had started to improve which was a great relief.
I am pleased to report that both pigs are now fully recovered and I have now stopped feeding them apples.
Apples My Pigs Pig Management Pigs Sow
Sara
Just to stop you feeling guilty about feeding apples to your pigs i have sent you a snippet gleaned from the internet
Good Luck
John
In addition to the formulated diet, you can feed a good variety of fresh vegetables to make up about 25% of the pig’s diet. Foods such as celery, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, potatoes and some greens are good choices (but try to limit the starchy vegetables like potatoes). Some fruits can be feed as well but only in moderation due to the high sugar content. Most pigs love treats like apples, grapes and raisins, but these are good to reserve as treats to be used in training.
Comment by Farmer giles — November 24, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
Dear John,
Thank you so much for this. it is good to be reassured. I have been feeding them apples as treats but these ones didn’t seem to go down well.
Thanks for this very useful and kind comment.
Sara from farmingfriends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — November 24, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
[…] Kinkerbelle - masochistically delicious wrote an interesting post today!.Here’s a quick excerpt [IMG Cagney the Saddleback Gilt][IMG Lacy the Saddleback Gilt] Sick pigs are a worry. This week I went out to feed the pigs and just as I had given them their feed, suddenly both Cagney and Lacy started to be sick. I had given them a couple of apples which is not out of the ordinary and their barley and pig concentrate mix. I thought that the apples had made the pigs sick and as Lacy recovered quickly I was sure this was the case but Cagney was unwell all day; she was physically sick a few t […]
Pingback by Ipod Iphone and MAC » Sick Pigs — November 24, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
Oh…I am so glad Cagney and Lacey are OK now. I know you were worried!!!
Julie
Comment by Julie — November 24, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
So glad that Cagney and Lacy are ok now. It is such a worry whenever an animal is unwell
Comment by Diane — November 24, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
I don’t think apples would be the cause, and you’ve fed them before so your pigs are used to them. Apples generally have a beneficial effect on digestion and can be recommended for humans when they’ve suffered a digestive upset - pigs and humans have similar digestive tracts.
It sounds more like a bacterial or viral upset (a bug), or maybe a fungal growth in their concentrates.
But whatever – I’m so glad they recovered in twenty-four hours and though a horrid worry for you, that they are both well.
Comment by paula — November 26, 2007 @ 8:52 am
So glad the pigs are well again. One always worries when something like that happens.
Comment by Vero — November 26, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Hi Sara, I am sorry to hear about the worry you had with Cagney & Lacey, but I am pleased to hear they have made a recovery, poor pigs and poor you. x
Comment by Louise — November 28, 2007 @ 12:13 pm