PIG BIRTH HELP!!!!

[LexsPeeps]

My sow has 2 piglets in the night, and sadly they died. She showed NO SIGNS WHATSOEVER!! She didn't nest, she didn't stop eating, no discharge from vulva,her milk came in as she was having babes bc I've been checking her daily for any signs she was close. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NOW! Is she done birthing? Will she have more?? Do I need to administer antibiotics?? I've locked her in the birthing pen to keep an eye on her, but other than that I'm lost! She is eating like normal, but still leaking some discharge from her vulva, her teats are swolen with milk.

 

[LexsPeeps]

This is her 1st litter

 

[chickensrock12]

Pigs usually have about 5+ piglets, I would keep a close eye on her. She may have a couple more. I feel so sad that those babies died.I don't own a pig, so I don't really know how else to help.

 

[Mylied]

She could be done. Sometimes they just have a couple of piglets. First timers aren't so great. When my sow had her first set, I came out to find them all over the place. She seemed to have just dropped them as she walked. I gathered them up and put them in the hay and gave her some beer, which other pig farmers say calm them down. They have no clue what's up when it's their first time. I'm sorry she lost the babies. Discharge is normal for a few days. Watch for foul smelling or pus looking discharge. I've not heard of having to do anything for drying them up if she has no babies. Do you have a vet you can consult about that?

 

[Mylied]

No need to administer antibiotics at this point, btw.

 

[LexsPeeps]

Everywhere I read said they usually have 4 or more. She was showing no signs, so I was beginning to thing she wasn't even pregnant. I tried using a stethoscope to check for heartbeats but I never heard anything. I'm distraught over her loss, I think I'm taking it harder than she is

 

[Mylied]

Everywhere I read said they usually have 4 or more. She was showing no signs, so I was beginning to thing she wasn't even pregnant. I tried using a stethoscope to check for heartbeats but I never heard anything. I'm distraught over her loss, I think I'm taking it harder than she is

What breed is she? That plays a part in how many she has too. When my pig has given birth, she's usually done in a few hours. I watched the whole thing last time. So if she had them in the night, she's probably done. She would be acting off if one was stuck. Pushing and laying down. I'm in a pig group on facebook and people have talked about their's having one or two, wondering if there were more coming, without more coming. It is terrible to lose babies, but not uncommon. She should do better her next time around. My sow was an angel her second time. Built a good nest, had them all in one spot, and nursed right away. Her first time gave me gray hairs.

 

[LexsPeeps]

I called the vet and she said she could do an xray if I could bring her in but I have no way of getting her in the truck by myself, shes wayy to heavy to pick up. Shes not acting wierd in any way, like her usual self. Shes upset to be locked in the birthing pen. I just feel aweful! I feel like I let her down she's a potbelly. Shes not pushing or pacing, her stomach doesn't appear to be contracting

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I'm sorry Lexpeeps about your piglets. Sometimes that happens. She may have layed on them or they may have been weak. It's difficult to say as they can be various reasons.

Did you check her? That's usually how one checks if there are additional babies coming from pigs, sheep, cattle etc. Do you have an antiseptic/antiseptic soap, a proper lubricant at the very least to check your guilt? A shoulder glove is also preferred but the procedure "can" be done without.

Antibiotics are usually only administered if there is a reason for it. If she has retained piglets that may cause infection or retained afterbirth...that's when you administer antibiotics.

Discharge is normal when any female has birthed. It's possible that she only has had two piglets. "Normally" they will exhibit signs of nesting and pushing. But sometimes when the birthing process isn't progressing, females don't show the regular expected signs.

If she was my sow, with proper assistance I would check her. If she had a stuck piglet/piglets I would assist. If nothing is in the birth canal...chances are she is done. And then you would know.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I called the vet and she said she could do an xray if I could bring her in but I have no way of getting her in the truck by myself, shes wayy to heavy to pick up. Shes not acting wierd in any way, like her usual self. Shes upset to be locked in the birthing pen. I just feel aweful! I feel like I let her down she's a potbelly. Shes not pushing or pacing, her stomach doesn't appear to be contracting

Ah, she's a potbelly. I've never checked one of those. My experience is with full-sized sows. I'm not sure size wise if checking would work. It depends on how big she is and if your hand/arm fits. By your description, she sounds small.