Help .. what is wrong?

[3dogmom]

I bought two feeder pigs Tuesday. Thirty minutes ago I noticed their legs keep buckling on them. I'm new to pigs. What is wrong with them? They came from different farms.

[cooper101]

Are they sunburned? It is definitely disconcerting, but if they're pretty pink, I would bet that's it. Are they buckling more in the front? Do they seem like it doesn't even phase them and they keep doing what they're doing? If they're eating, moving around, acting normal otherwise, and pink, it's probably sunburn. I think it hurts them and they're flinching away from whatever it is they think is hurting them. They seem to stop doing it after the first week or two of sun. Make sure they have shade and mud.

[3dogmom]

They have shade and are making a wallow. It's been very cool here and light wind. Yes, they keep doing what ever activity they are engaged in. I gave them goat milk in their feed this afternoon and thought maybe that was the problem. I'm freaked. These feeders are 70 and 80 lbs. thanks for the reply.

[Viking]

I had a feeder who started dropping down on her butt at about this size. There are some threads on here which mention it might be a mineral deficiency, a quick search oughtta find them. I honestly didn't do anything for my girl and she was fine after a month or so of this buckling.

[3dogmom]

Thanks Viking, I'll look for more info. on minerals.

[Ronney]

Quite simply, gutsy pigs. I bet you notice it almost immediately after feed and they drop down on their hindquarters. Several hours later they will be running around as though nothing had ever happened.

Don't worry about it, they will "grow" out of it.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[3dogmom]

Thanks for the reply, Ronney, I'll pay attention today and see if this occurs after eating.

Cooper101, how can sunburn cause the leg buckling?? I did look at them again this morning and they do look pinker than they should so they may have received too much sun.

[cooper101]

I don't know why. I suspect it just hurts and they are trying to get away from it. It's weird, but it causes it. Every batch of new pigs I've gotten that got sunburned in the first few days I've had them have done it. It also affects the white pigs more than the dark pigs for obvious reasons. They seem to either grow out of it or it doesn't bother them after a couple weeks. Even with shade available, they'll go in the sun to eat, poop, etc. They don't think to stay in the shade. Mine live outside and it seems to always happen to the white pigs for the first week or two and then it stops. They seem like they don't even notice it and they always seem to buckle up front rather than the back - like they're hitting their chin on the ground.

If they're getting a balanced diet and eating and drinking, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Couple links:

http://www.thepigsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8198

Raising Maine | KID TRACKS: Livestock toiletries for sunburns, sore feet

[bruceki]

I agree, since the two pigs are from different farms, it's probably sunburn. Nothing to worry about.

[tinknal]

I they are going down in the rear I would suspect erisyphilis. Look up the symptoms. not sure of exact spelling.

[3dogmom]

Thanks for the links Cooper101, I've got them bookmarked.

Have also bookmarked your blog, Bruce. It looks like there is plenty to read and glean there. Thanks!!

Tinknal, I looked up Erysipelas in my pig book but it doesn't list the legs buckling. I realize my book has the condensed version of diseases but I'm hoping it's sunburn. The pigs seem healthy otherwise.

BTW, their legs will buckle both front and back. They don't hit the ground, they just dip as their legs give. I went to a feed mill today and they are making a custom blend for me with minerals and salt added. I don't want corn or soy in my feed so they are making a feed without it. I am supplementing with goat milk for part of the protein. Hopefully this will put an end to the legs buckling.

Thanks for the replys, it sure helped me calm down about what is going on.