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”
Knowing when to “phone a friend” or in this case call in a vet for advice is part of that collective wisdom available for all to tap into. Wise people know they can’t do it all themselves 💡
Two days total outage here . . . as we are not highly populated it did take a few hissy fits to be reconnected: SO, reading now, hoping that ‘not giving up’ will prevail 🙂 !! Let’s face it – BOTH of you want a positive outcome!!!!
Smiles your way Celi … I hope Lurch pulls through, but it certainly won’t be through lack of trying on your behalf.
With all of these positive thoughts I feel great about all that is being done both at home and around the world for Lurch. I think there have been many times with Daisy deer’s injuries that I was thankful and comforted by readers who cared. Positive things happen in numbers. I love so much how you stay focused on the moment… the day at hand. Worrying and wondering about the week to come does no good. “Full steam ahead” as you say! I LOVE the old hen with chicks photo. I can’t tell you the times I’ve been attacked by a defensive mother hen, and that “look” (like she is keeping a close eye on you) always preceded the attack! Watch out for a protective mother!
Did your vet recommend vaccinating with Farrowsure Gold B prior to breeding? There area myriad of viruses pigs are susceptible to during pregnancy and the Farrowsure covers almost everything. Another hint that most pig farmers swear by, especially for first time farrowers is a beer or two. For the pig, then later a few for you. Often, as you mentioned, the screaming of newborns is too confusing and scary for the young gilts and causes them to kill the young. A beer or two just as she is delivering, or right after she finishes takes the edge off, lets her basically doze off and when she awakens the piglets have already nursed and have calmed down themselves. Just a few wee bits of knowledge. I’m always trying to glean what I can from those who’ve been at it longer.
[…] is standing up for his piglet friend Lurch. Lurch, appropriately named, has quite a story. There is hope and his salvation may be here. Celi and Boo have a simple request. Even a line or a link in your […]