Delivery Assistance Needed? - Updated 3-6-15

[Eroc1_1]

Our one gilt is starting to deliver her first litter early this morning . So far she has delivered 3 of which 2 were still born. I have read only rare occasions is delivery assistance needed. Do you find this to be true?

I guess since I had to go to work for 4 hours this morning, I worry about not bring there and offering assistance if needed. BLAH!

 

[Eroc1_1]

I helped get one out. But it has been 4 hours and it seems like she is having contractions still with no other progress. 1 alive and 3 born dead.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Oh man, this isn't going so well is it? So, sorry.

 

[Eroc1_1]

Nope. Vet will be here in a couple minutes. Gonna be costly but gotta do it.

Well vet came and went. Had to pull 2 out. She has some trauma to recover from. All pigs were lost. Six total.

The piglets weren't overly big but we surmise the pelvis is on the small side. It's her first litter but we have some serious thinking to do if she is to be bred again or sent away. We hope she makes it. This is what farming is about - peaks and valleys, hard decisions, elation, and disappointment.

What a severely crappy day.

I thought heritage were supposed to be more hardy? Argh....

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What breed is she? I was hoping the same thing about the heritage pigs....

 

[Eroc1_1]

She is a Tamworth. We have 2 Tamworth gilts(from same breeder), a Tamworth boar(different breeder), and an Old Spot gilt.

Watching her this morning I fear that she is overly stressed, traumatized, and tired - will not make it.

 

[Bossroo]

Well, salvage the situation, just have green eggs and ham for breakfast !

 

[Sumi]

I'm so sorry to hear about the piglets. How's mom doing?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Did the vet leave you anything for her? Maybe some pain meds and antibiotics? I hope she makes it!

 

[Eroc1_1]

Mother is doing better today.....a lot better. I am thinking that she will make it but I want to give her 2-3 more days before I say too much else. We gave some antibiotics on Friday and today (Tylan 200) and then vet gave her a little anti stress medication after everything was said and done on Friday. We keep the antiobiotic on hand......

She is up and around - eating and drinking. And didn't stand still too long this morning(unlike the last few days) as I tried to give her 15cc of Tylan.

The vet didn't leave too much as we had most things on hand.

So now my mental debate, if she makes it, should we introduce her back into the breeding program after a 1 month break and give it another shot because this was her first litter and chalk it up to being a newbie or remover her completely as this could be an on going issue?

My intial fear is that I will feed her more and end up with the same situation - loss of time, money, feed, and a lot of frustration.

What would you do?