I did not post early this morning because I wanted to make sure that Molly and Tahiti were on the road to recovery. All yesterday afternoon we struggled with the two gilts. Vomiting and diarrhea. Bad. The Vet thinks they either ate something poisonous, carried in with the weeds or the straw or the hay, or it was the worms. We have had trouble with the roundworm here before. But this felt gastric to me. A sick pig is terrible to see. They die very fast.
But worked faster, by this time it was the last few minutes of the doctors day. They were given all the necessary medicines and Hugo and I cleared out the entire pen of everything, (they were on deep bedding) put in old hay from my own clean fields and every two hours I fed them small amounts of warm electrolyte, gave their bellies a good massage after drinking, little nibbles of dry bread and aspirin twice, by early this morning they were drinking well their food has been shifted around and they are sleeping tucked up together in their mound of warm hay. When pigs are really sick they separate, seeing them cuddled together is always a good sign.
And there is no bad smell anymore. Smell was my first indication of things going wrong. My pigs usually smell sweet.
Last night I closed all the barn doors at night, for the first time since last winter. Just now, I opened them up, a few minutes ago, (it is 7.03am) and everyone was still asleep until I let the morning light in. All four ears pricked up from deep in the straw, meeting light and sound. Good.
I will let the power of the light both wake and warm them. Then we will have a good look at them.
On another subject, and to my surprise, Pania led all her new friends – the turkeys and Geraldine – into the barn at milking time last night and they slept in there all night, on a gate in the lower levels (as befits their status in the barn). I hope they do that again as this is their eventual destination for the winter months.
I hope you have a lovely day. The animals and I have enjoyed our late start after a busy night but now it is time to get moving and have a good look at everyone in the light of day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
42 responses to “The Power of Light”
Poor gilts and poor you. Again you have to struggle against disease and for lifes. I wish you all good luck! May all turn to good account again.
Glad Molly and Tahiti are improving. My first thoughts on reading about them was Toads, you were talking the other day about an invasion of toads on the roads and everywhere you went. Then when you said Sheila and Poppy stayed out in the fields, I knew the city born old gal was on the wrong track. Hope today and tomorrow see further improvement.
So pleased to hear the piggies are on the mend…a relief.
I imagine there are times, this being one of them, when you wish the Farmy cast could speak, although probably being grateful at the best of times they can’t… you would get even less quiet moments.
Oh Lord, can you imagine Sheila’s commentary…
I’d guess it would be unedited, and marvelous, probably delivered with Celi’s delightful accent 🙂
Not to mention observant, devastatingly accurate and dryly sarcastic.
PLus i think Sheila would not be about ‘colourful language!’ c
Oh yes indeed! I think she’s a pig with a firm grasp of colourful adjectives, backed up by decided opinions!
All those early birds took my words away. May tonight’s sleep be deep and refreshing. Lots of love, Gayle
Aw…poor little thing. I hope she’s back to her old self soon, Cecilia. It sounds like you’re a good nurse. 🙂
Hey Celi .. Sorry to hear about those sick pigs .they are in the best place .. With you!
Just popping in to say that both wee pigs are doing really well, eating and drinking and dancing again.. !
Wonderful news!
Can you please tell me who (or what?) Geraldine is?
Geraldine is a growing peachick who has attached herself to the turkeys
I read with growing anxiety about the pigs but it souds like all is well again, Ceci?
Yes they are almost back to normal – the fragility of animals underscores the toughness of humans – don’t you think?
Your animals are so lucky that you are so very much in tune with them. Hope they continue to improve.