What to do if a sow has been unable to deliver a stuck piglet for two days? Includes common handling methods
Abstract Stillborn: For sows that continuously discharge lochia from the body and show signs of labor, a syringe can be connected to an insemination tube to inject saline at a concentration of 1%-3% and a temperature of 36-38°C into the sow's uterine cavity until the saline flows out of the sow's body, then combine with oxytocin. Live fetus: After intramuscular injection of 0.1-0.2mg cloprostenol sodium injection, once the first piglet is confirmed to have been delivered, 30-50 international units of oxytocin can be injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
I. Common handling methods for sow difficult birth
1. Induction method for stillborn piglets
(1) For a small number of sows that are close to the due date, or have gone well past the due date, and continuously discharge lochia from the body and show signs of labor, during this period a syringe can be connected to an insemination tube, and then saline at a concentration of 1%-3% and a temperature of 36-38°C can be injected into the sow's uterine cavity until the saline flows out of the sow's body, then oxytocin can be used in combination.
(2) Within 1 day after farrowing, the contents of the sow's uterus can be discharged smoothly, but when the sow's cervix is not fully dilated, the pelvis is narrow, or there is an obstruction in the birth canal, oxytocin must not be injected. Within 5 days after farrowing, 3-4 doses of penicillin and streptomycin need to be injected intramuscularly every day to prevent inflammation of the sow's reproductive tract.
2. Induction method for live fetuses
(1) At the beginning, 0.1-0.2mg cloprostenol sodium injection can be injected intramuscularly into the sow, and after the first piglet is confirmed to have been delivered, drugs can be used to induce labor.
(2) However, when the sow's cervix is not fully dilated, the pelvis is narrow, or there is an obstruction in the birth canal, oxytocin must not be injected. Oxytocin is the first-choice drug, and it is recommended to inject 30-50 international units of oxytocin intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 20-30 minutes.
(3) To improve the efficacy of oxytocin, estrogen can generally be used selectively, that is, 50-100mg estradiol can be injected intramuscularly in advance before using oxytocin.
II. Precautions for inducing labor in sows
1. Difficult birth caused by oversized fetuses and a narrow birth canal
For difficult birth in which the fetus is too large or the sow's birth canal is narrow, making it difficult for the fetus to pass smoothly through the pelvis, this is generally more common in first-time farrowing sows. During assisted delivery, if the birth canal is relatively dry, liquid paraffin can be poured into the birth canal, and then a hand can be inserted to pull out the fetal pig.
During induced delivery, movements should be gentle, and hygiene and disinfection work need to be done well. Warm water and antibacterial soap can be used to wash hands and arms, sterilized gloves should be worn, and the sow's vulva should be cleaned.
2. Difficult birth caused by abnormal fetal position
(1) For difficult birth caused by abnormal fetal position, during this period a hand can be inserted into the birth canal to correct the fetal position and assist delivery. The normal fetal position is head facing the vulva, abdomen facing down, with both limbs extended forward and clamping the head, in a jumping posture. Under special circumstances, instruments need to be used to assist delivery.
(2) However, special attention should be paid: if the piglet still shows signs of life, try not to use this method, because instruments will injure or tear the piglet. Great patience is required, and too much force must not be used, as it can easily damage the sow's birth canal.