A very lovely vet (the young new vet from another local town) came to visit the farm yesterday and examined Lurch. He looked at all the other piglets and the environment they are raised in, big pigs and little pigs and after giving Lurch a thorough examination he agreed that the problem is neurological. There is nothing physically wrong with the piglet at all other than a smack in the head which knocked her brain about. Her hips and legs and back are in working order she just does not know how to make them all work together.
ABut he said that there is a chance – a slim one – that she can get her balance back. There is no telling. He has told me to give her another week. She was given anti-inflammatories to bring down what might be swelling inside her brain and antibiotics of course and I will continue with her intensive piggy physio. He particularly liked the maze. She is eating like crazy and putting on weight so he thinks there is a chance. But it is a tiny chance.
So she and I have walked and walked every spare minute yesterday afternoon. I hold her up and she uses her legs to propel herself forward. She falls within moments of me letting go but I am not letting up.
If there is no improvement in a week then we will have to make a decision but for the moment it is full steam ahead. 
One of the old chooks has hatched some eggs – in the garage, which is perfect as I can shut the door on her and none of the cats or dogs or other birds can bother her. Bonus.
For the record there is no scientific evidence that a sow can decide her piglets are damaged in those few seconds after birth and then proceed to mercy kill them. I think they get a fright from a screeching piglet up by their heads while they are in the middle of labour and all that pain and confusion so they silence the piglet, and that sets the sow off and it gets worse from there. He suggested that in future to collect each baby as she is born, dry her off and place her in a box out of the way until the farrowing is all over, then when everything is quiet (and the mother has had her beer) and the pain is over to gently bring them all out to feed. So, in future I will do this.
We had a good talk – a farm visit is expensive but worth it. I will definitely be running a T shirt campaign soon!
I hope you have a lovely day – lots of work ahead of us today.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
38 responses to “All in Her Head”
You’ve been in my head since morning today – the more I read you, the more I yearn for your kind of life. How blessed you are…
Dear Miss Determination….you exceed any expectations and run more than the extra mile….I hope your Lurchy piglet pulls through and become the pride of the Farmy…. You are one fantastic woman and it is a pleasure and an honour to know you..even if it is cyberspace
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 2:23 PM
Some friends of mine took on a Siamese kitten which had had an accident in its first week after birth. They think it fell off something and damaged it’s neck – its balance was bad and it fell over all the time. However, while always having a twisted neck, it did rediscover its balance and lived the life of a fairly normal cat. So fingers crossed that the antibiotics help and Lurch’s brain starts to walk 🙂
A good vet is worth his/her weight in gold. I hope that the meds will help little Lurch heal. She has been such a little fighter, I hope she can make it through.
Sounds like your new vet could become very helpful, unlike so many who are only interested in domestic pets. If Lurch is eating well and growing, and you have the patience to give her a bit longer, I really hope she rewards your faith in her. Fingers crossed…
I consider this good news indeed. Good morning to you all.
Poor thing! I’m rooting for Lurch.
So, this might be waaaay off but I suffered from Benign paroxysmal positional Vertigo (BPPV) (can be caused by a blow to the head) for 6 months when eventually I went to my physician and she sent me to a PT. The physical therapist did the most unusual type of head movement on me called Canalith Repositioning. One treatment alone put those ear stones 🙂 back in place and the vertigo was gone! Might be worth a try to add this repositioning to your PT for this little one…. Thank you for having such a kind heart and all my best to Baby Lurch!! More information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/basics/definition/con-20028216
PPT – Piggy Physical Therapy….. So based on what you have learned – is Tahiti staying or still going? Just curious. I can understand if she is going. It was a nightmarish night I am sure. The last photo, is that a peahen? Such a beautiful bird as is the mother hen.
Your vet sounds like the perfect bet for your farm and I am hoping that Lurch can pull through with flying colors. Poor thing. Cheering you and Lurch on !
I’m glad you waited for the new vet and that you turned out to be right after all. Give her a pat for me. Wish I was still there to take some of that for you.
You made it home ok Pat?
Almost home. I made a stop in Albuquerque to visit my Mom, I’ll get to Santa Fe tomorrow.
I’m so hoping for Lurch’s recovery. It seems as though her will is strong, so perhaps that will help.
Positive thoughts for Lurch…
All the best for Miss Lurch. I am, as usual remaining optimistic. We recently rescued a cat in Milan that had fallen from the roof to the street (5 storeys), and it appears after months of hope and therapy the cat IS going to make it. No broken bones, just damage to nerves and head that take lots of time to heal. I am a believer in Time, as long as the wait is humane and sustainable for all involved. We will see, won’t we?
Well brains are plastic, so I hope hers figures out where to re-route and get the balance and standing up things figured out.
That last picture! It looks like someone took apart a bird and put it in a pile on your porch! 🙂