lame boar, need advice.

tansyflower · #1 02/12/14, 11:35 AM

so i got a large black breeding boar for my red wattle gilts, and they beat him up something terrible. he has a bad leg which is swollen, large pockets of bruises/blood all over his body and they tore his ears up so bad now they are stiff and curling. i feel so horrible about it. is it time for a vet visit? what would a vet even do? i cant imagine putting him down

right now i literally have to go get him up twice a day (not an easy task) and make him eat and drink. this morning i could barely get him up and he had pooped right where he had slept, he didnt even try to get up and make it outside. i dont know what to do. at first it seemed like he was getting better but in the past few days he is showing some bad signs. i dont think his leg is broken, he seems to walk a little better after a good massage.

has anyone ever had this happen? is there anything i can do to help him? i cant believe the red wattles were so aggressive, i got them specifically because they are supposed to be nice, docile pigs. makes me wonder if i should just put them in the freezer...i dont want mean pigs.

ImpulsiveFarmer · #2 02/12/14, 11:54 AM

I have a sow that's just plain mean to the other pigs, but fine with people. She's heading to freezer camp next week. Some fighting is expected, but what's happening to your boar sounds excessive. I had a big sow damage my boars leg somehow, it took him a while but he's good as new. He was never so bad he wouldn't get up, though. If your guy is down and not wanting to move even to eat or go to the bathroom, I'd personally call the vet.

tansyflower · #3 02/12/14, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImpulsiveFarmer

I have a sow that's just plain mean to the other pigs, but fine with people. She's heading to freezer camp next week. Some fighting is expected, but what's happening to your boar sounds excessive. I had a big sow damage my boars leg somehow, it took him a while but he's good as new. He was never so bad he wouldn't get up, though. If your guy is down and not wanting to move even to eat or go to the bathroom, I'd personally call the vet.

the red wattles are fine with me and my husband, but they were just terrible to him. i spent quite a bit of money on them to breed them so i am very disappointed. there is no way he can breed in the condition he is in....and one is in heat right now in the next pen and even that wont get his attention.

i know he is stiff and sore so i understand him laying down, but after seeing him mess himself in his sleep area i am very concerned. he has not done that before and it tells me he is not doing well. i am unsure of what a vet would do to be honest. i was a precision neuromuscular therapist in a past life so i know quite a bit about anatomy/physiology/kinesiology and other than an x-ray to see if the leg really is broken (which i am sure would cost a MINT) i dont know if there is anything they could do. plus with that virus outbreak i am scared to even have a vet out here for bio-security reasons. plus i dont think it is broken, maybe a stress fracture but from what i can feel when i palpate him his bony anatomy seems sound. i think he might have hurt it trying to run away from them

tansyflower · #4 02/13/14, 08:41 AM

anyone else?!?!

clothAnnie · #5 02/13/14, 09:12 PM

sounds awful. So sorry. Hope he heals up soon!! Maybe someone will have an idea. How old/big are the red wattles?!

BellaVista · #6 02/14/14, 08:34 AM

Try bringing one sow to the boar's pen at a time. Make sure she is in a standing heat before the attempt. Releasing a boar into a pen of sows can end badly for the boar. I know some have even been killed by the sows/gilts.

PasturedPork · #7 02/14/14, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaVista

Try bringing one sow to the boar's pen at a time. Make sure she is in a standing heat before the attempt. Releasing a boar into a pen of sows can end badly for the boar. I know some have even been killed by the sows/gilts.

Great advice. This is the safest way to breed for your sows and boar. Also you will know how the breeding went because you will be watching.

If your boar is in bad shape and your worried it's better to call the vet sooner then later. Better to be safe then sorry.

clothAnnie · #8 02/15/14, 11:11 AM

Thinking of you. How is the boar doing?

Tango · #9 02/15/14, 11:29 AM

Did he get any antibacterial or antiseptic rinse for his wounds, any supportive treatment ? Is he still not eating or drinking? I've not had that problem. hard to advise about the vet - not enough info to go by but i hope by now he's showing improvement.