A pig does not eat after farrowing: what to do and causes, methods of treatment
Good appetite in animals indicates their he alth. If the pig does not eat after farrowing, many are interested in what to do in such a situation. First of all, it is recommended to determine the causes of this violation. Provoking factors can be various diseases, helminthic invasion or violation of the rules for caring for animals. Based on the results of the examination, the veterinarian will give recommendations for treatment.
Causes of loss of appetite after farrowing
During labor, animals lose a lot of strength and face serious stress. Normally, the appetite in pigs appears 7-10 hours after farrowing. At the same time, they are given liquid food from a mixture of cereals. It is also acceptable to use milk mash on bran.
If after 12 hours the appetite for the animal does not return, it is worth looking for the reasons for unusual behavior. A pig may lose its appetite in the following cases:
- development of pathologies;
- inappropriate food - it may be too cold, hot or tasteless;
- postpartum stress - observed in pigs that give birth for the first time.
It is recommended to distinguish between loss of appetite, which is considered normal for a debilitated pig, and complete refusal to eat. If the pig has a poor appetite, it should be given soft food that contains a lot of vitamins. Within 2 weeks postpartum, the animal should be able to reach normal levels of food intake and even exceed it.
Food rejection
With the wrong organization of feeding, there is a risk of indigestion. This is observed when using too hot or cold products.Also, the use of unground food can be a provoking factor of problems. Similar violations occur with a sharp change in diet. The intestines of piglets are particularly sensitive.
Dietary disorders often provoke poisoning and the appearance of diarrhea and constipation. There is also a risk of gastroenteritis. Any violation of the digestive functions cause a deterioration in appetite. It should be borne in mind that pigs do not always refuse to eat when they develop diseases. Sometimes they just don't like the food the farmer gives them. In such a situation, it is worth introducing more varied foods into the diet.
Avitaminosis
After farrowing, the animal may lose appetite due to vitamin deficiency. This condition is accompanied by a change in skin tone in piglets. They do not get enough elements from milk. As a result, there is a risk of blanching or peeling of the skin.In the pig itself, a deficiency of vitamins A and D provokes weakness of muscle tissues and joints. She cannot stand up or rises with difficulty. In this case, the gait can be shaky and uncertain. To avoid such problems after farrowing, the animal is recommended to inject vitamins or add premixes for lactating females to food.
Improper maintenance and care
Pigs can lose their appetite due to improper housing conditions. To avoid such problems, it is recommended to monitor the temperature in the room. Significant deviations can cause negative consequences. To avoid this, it is recommended to follow the following parameters:
- no drafts in the pigsty;
- suitable temperature settings;
- optimal humidity;
- clean air.
Significant disturbance of the room temperature makes pigs lethargic and provokes loss of appetite. Permissible humidity parameters are at the level of 50-70%. It is also recommended to monitor the indicators of gas contamination. When they increase, the condition of the animals worsens.
Stress
This animal can hardly endure stress and easily succumbs to it. The body of a pig is characterized by high excitability. When moving, it is difficult for an animal to adapt to new conditions. The causes of stress include the following:
- change in room temperature;
- too many animals in the paddock;
- changing your usual diet;
- poor-quality air in the pigsty - the cause of problems is the accumulation of hydrogen sulfide or ammonia in the room.
To prevent problems, experts advise avoiding the effects of stress on animals.Under unfavorable circumstances, there is a risk of death of the pig. As for the diet, it is not recommended to introduce food abruptly. The diet of pigs should be changed gradually. In order to facilitate the adaptation of the animals and avoid stress, it is recommended to add play materials to the pen, such as bedding or ropes.
Disease
The development of pathologies is considered the most common cause of loss of appetite. Most illnesses lead to loss of appetite. The most common diseases include the following:
- infections - primarily of a viral nature;
- worm infestation;
- traumatic injury;
- respiratory damage;
- poisoning from poor-quality food.
It is worth considering that there are specific symptoms that allow you to identify the disease. In this case, only the help of a veterinarian will help to eliminate the pathology. To begin with, it is recommended to isolate the sick pig from the rest.
Treatment methods
To cure a sow, it is important for her to make an accurate diagnosis. Infectious diseases are recommended to be treated with antibacterial drugs. For this, Tylosin, Bicillin, Amoxicillin are used.
After a course of antibiotic therapy, it is worth using probiotics. They are required for the normalization of microflora. With a small cold, it is permissible to use folk recipes - decoctions of nettle, linden or chamomile.
How to make feed attractive to pigs?
Sometimes pigs lose their appetite after farrowing due to bad food. This problem is common, but it is quite possible to solve it. These animals love sweet, s alty, sour and bitter foods. To make the feed more attractive to pigs, it is recommended to add s alt, sugar, mustard to it. It is also acceptable to use lactic acid. In this case, supplements should be alternated.
Many farmers prefer to add essential oils to their feed. These substances are attractive to many pigs. To increase the appetite of piglets from birth, after farrowing the pig, it is worth using food with essential oils. This will give the milk a pleasant aroma and increase the appetite of the babies. Other foods pigs love include:
- boiled or steamed cereals;
- roasted grains;
- baker's yeast.
The method of yeast feed is considered to be very effective. It is permissible to use it even if the animal does not eat and does not rise. After the introduction of such a diet, the condition of the animals improves. This result is achieved due to the presence in the feed of a sufficient amount of proteins, vitamins and amino acids.
Deterioration of the pig's appetite after farrowing may be due to the influence of a number of factors. To determine the causes, it is worth consulting with a veterinarian.In case of detection of dangerous diseases, it is recommended to choose an effective therapy. In other situations, additional components will help increase the attractiveness of the feed. Equally important are the correction of care and minimizing the impact of stressful situations.
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