Thursday, May 30, 2013

Pig Drama, Part One

I have a favor to ask all of you.

Please, please post more.  A constant stream of posts would be extremely helpful.

See, I'm trying very hard to live in a state of denial, but it's hard, when I can't live vicariously through you all.

We have what can only be called a situohmylandswhosaidweshouldraisepigsation.

We noticed on Tuesday, because we aren't quick, that one of the pigs was looking quite skinny and wasn't eating.  I googled, "why won't my pig eat?" and got an eyeful of horrible options. 

I went out to the pen to make darn sure the pig was sick.  Yep, sick.  Getting worse by the minute. 

I called my sister-in-law, who is a trained vet tech.  (The one with the lambs.) 

Me:  My pig is sick.  I know there are a couple of possible reasons.  My thought is to treat them for the one, as it won't do it any harm, because the other will kill him no matter what I do.

SIL:  Agreed.  This is what you need to do.  Go to Tractor Supply and buy LA200 (an antibiotic), a 12cc syringe, and a 16 gauge, 1 in. needle.  Actually, buy lots of needles.

Me:  You're going to tell me I need to give this pig a shot, aren't you?  You realize I've never given anyone or anything a shot before.  I'm not really a farmer.

SIL:  One of you will need to sit on the pig to hold it down.  The one giving the shot should sit on its head.

Me:  (a bit of a squeak)

SIL:  Because you eat the pigs, you have to put the shot in a place where you won't be eating the meat, which is in his neck.  Below the ear, between his jowl and shoulder.

Me:  You have got to be kidding me.

SIL:  No, I'm not.  The pig will struggle, and when you stick it, he will really start kicking.  That's why I had you buy extra needles.  Since this is your first time, you will probably break a few off.

Me: 

SIL:  Good luck.  Keep me posted.  I fully expect a blog post with pictures at the end of this.

Me:

I then called my mom.

Me:  I have to give a pig a shot in the neck.  Sitting on the pig will be important.

Mom:  Hahahaha!

Me:  Oh, and I will probably have to do it multiple times, seeing as how when he flails around, I will break needles.  I can't get the image of an acupunctured pig running around the pen out of my head.

Mom: Hahahahahha! (snort)  (breathless) Stop.  I'm sorry.  Picturing this whole thing and the many ways it could go makes me laugh.  It's sad.  Poor pig.  But, hahahahahahaha!

Me: 

So, when the Hubs got home, we headed to the pen.  The biggest problem was getting the other pigs to stay away from us.  Every time I knelt down next to the sick one, they were all over me.


Hubby thought he could help by holding them off.


Besides the fact that he couldn't possible keep 3 pigs away, and he kept scaring the sick one, who would then get up and move, I couldn't very well sit on it's body and head at the same time.

We spent 5 minutes getting the pigs shut up in the barn.  With me.  Which means Hubby had to move the "extra precautions" in order to get me out of the barn.

THEN we were ready to take care of the sick pig.

Honestly, all that activity had worn the poor thing out.  No sitting on the pig was required.  Hubby held him, just in case, but I gave it the shot without a flinch from the pig.

Not a good sign.

If the meds were going to work, they would do so within 24 hours.

I went to bed fully expecting to have to dispose of a dead pig, and thoughts of the other pigs in my head.

Have the other's been eating?

Are they seeming a bit less peppy?

Did that one urinate or was it diarrhea?  (no joke.  I caught the sight out of the corner of my eye when with the sick pig.)

Have a better day than me!


28 comments:

  1. Oh my, life on the farm is a rough one sometimes. I certainly do hope your day improves and that your pig gets better! But hey - now you can brag that you know how to give a pig a shot! Not just everyone can say that. :D

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    1. I would have to think we of the "I gave a pig a shot" club are limited in number. Perhaps I should start a support group.

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  2. I am with your mom laughing so hard. Oh my goodness that is so very funny! Glad you were told to grab your camera and get pictures! So how is pig doing today? Are you taking a trip to the outer fields again?
    Think of the fun this story will be at the next PTA.

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  3. If you need more help, my sister is now officially a vet and will be here this weekend;) She is unemployed as of yet, so maybe she can move into your barn and be your very own personal animal doctor (don't tell her I said that;) But seriously, she will be here.
    C:)

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  4. I'm honestly speechless because I'm laughing so hard. So in the piggy's honor I will snort instead.

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    1. I didn't think it was possible!! You, speechless?? I told the pig, he appreciated the snort.

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  5. “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”
    ― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

    What an adventurous life you lead! Hope your pig is feeling better soon.

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    1. Awesome quote! Marjorie sounds like my kind of lady.

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  6. I don't even have the words...because I'm laughing too hard. But I am sorry about the pig...

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  7. Ah... a pig story! Just what I needed today! I can now say "At least I don't own pigs." No, no... that wasn't kind. I take it back. That is my internal dialogue in progress. What I should be saying to you is "I'm so sorry about your pig. Please don't forget to post part 2 as soon as you are able because I, like you, need to read somebody else's posts. For entirely different reasons of course because I don't own pigs." (Just FYI-I was at the horse barn today and saw some veterinary work on a horse's black eye. That made me feel kind of farm-ish and kindred with you. But not too much.) Happy pig mothering!

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    1. Think you could send that vet my way? Or did you see enough that you could come and take care of this for me?
      I have already started part 2 just for you. :)

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  8. Why do I love your pig stories so much? This one really begged for video. (I do hope there is a happy ending in the upcoming Part Two.) You know, now that you're experienced and all, you could start giving your kids vaccines and antibiotics and save a bundle on doctor bills. Just get the same dose you would give a pig and then back it off a little, depending on the weight of the kiddo...

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    1. I write them just for you. Honestly, if I stopped raising pigs, no one would read my blog anymore.

      Don't think I didn't go all redneck and think of that myself. As I paid for it, I wondered, "How many people have tried this on their own kids?"

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  9. I shall rush away and create something fantastical in a mere moment, but here's a thought (from the James Herriot school of thought) have you thought of offering it stout if it won't eat? It may just drink and stout would be nutritious(ish). Good luck with your piggy :(

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    1. Hahaha! When discussing the upcoming injection with my mom, I asked if a bit of alcohol (for both the pig and I)would be a good idea.

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    2. Hahaha, I would definitely need a 'shot' of something to be brave enough to give a pig an injection.

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  10. Your wish is my command. Hope your piggy gets better soon.

    http://summat2thinkon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-most-amazing-things-in-world-today.html

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  11. Oh how sad for the poor piggy. I hope she/he is feeling better :-(

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  12. I'm pretty sure they didn't put that in the pig farming brochure! Good on you for taking the bull by the horns ... or the pig by the neck, as the case may be.

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  13. Oh I'm so sorry for your pig, I'm also sorry you had to give it a shot. If you were telling me about it, I'm sad to say that I would have a much worse reaction than your mother. I hope he/she is feeling better.

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  14. I'm wondering how the little piggy is doing since I'm late in commenting. Did this little piggy go to market or stay home? ;)

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  15. I'm sorry, but I would have been laughing hysterically... and I did during your convos, but I fear the possible foreshadowing that may exist in coming blog titles makes me a bit uneasy...

    Would the other pigs really kill the sick one? My next question is gross, but... do they become cannibals?

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink

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  16. I have to say that I'm part of the Pig Shot Giving Club :) Our smallest boar got Hypothermia on CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!!!! I spent 4 hours with a pig in a hot water bath. And had to give him multiple B-12 shots. So sorry for your struggles, but its great I'm not alone :)

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    1. Well hi there! I'm thinking this is a very exclusive club. Only the strongest and the bravest shall enter.
      You are a real farmer. I can tell. I wouldn't even be able to diagnose hypothermia. Tell me someone got photos of you in a tub with the pig. And did you have some eggnog in there with you? I have such a hilarious image in my head about this. Thank you!

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Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you're thinking!