What are the treatment options for postpartum diseases in sows?

Sows are very weak after giving birth, which makes them prone to a number of ailments. Here we briefly describe the treatment options for 2 such diseases: postpartum constipation and uterine prolapse.

Postpartum refusal to eat

For sows refusing to eat due to birth canal infection, 8 million units of penicillin and 4 million units of streptomycin can be mixed in 20 ml of analgin for 1 intramuscular injection, twice a day for 2 consecutive days. For sows with anorexia caused by too much feed or feed that is too concentrated, the ratio of concentrate, roughage and green feed should be reasonable, and sows should not be fed until they are too fat or too thin.

Postpartum agalactia and hypogalactia

For those with hypogalactia, give 10 tablets of Cuiruling orally for 3-5 consecutive days, or inject 20-30 units of oxytocin intramuscularly, 1-2 times. Wash the afterbirth and stillborn piglets, add water and an appropriate amount of salt, cook them thoroughly, and feed them mixed into the feed in several portions. Earthworms, river shrimp and small fish (especially crucian carp) all have a galactagogue effect and can be boiled and fed. A traditional Chinese medicine formula can also be used: 30 grams each of angelica, cowherb seed, rhaponticum root and tetrapanax pith, boiled in water, mixed with bran and fed. Once a day for 3 consecutive days.

Postpartum constipation

The following methods can be used for prevention and treatment: (1) Feed more green and succulent forage; (2) Increase water intake and add artificial rehydration salts; (3) 500-1000 ml of glucose saline and 3 ampoules of 10 ml vitamin C, given as a single intravenous injection; (4) 1-5 ml of compound vitamin B and 2.4 million units of penicillin, plus 30 ml of Antongding, injected intramuscularly separately; (5) 40 tablets each of yeast, rhubarb soda tablets, multi-enzyme tablets and lactasin, ground into a fine powder together and taken in 4 divided doses; (6) Feed 25 grams of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) per day, divided into 2-3 doses, administered in drinking water.

Postpartum uterine prolapse

For incomplete uterine prolapse, 500-1000 ml of 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or physiological saline can be injected into the uterine cavity, using the pressure of the fluid to restore the uterus. For complete uterine prolapse, first remove the feces adhering to the mucosa, then wash with 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or 1% saline. For severe edema, wash with 3% alum water. During reduction, 2 people lift the uterus to the same height as the vagina, 1 person holds the uterine horn with the left hand, and uses the right thumb to reduce it starting from the end of the uterine horn. Then the hand is formed into a cone shape and, like turning intestines back, pushes forcefully when the pig is not straining, turning it inward in sequence. By this method the two uterine horns are pushed into the uterine body one after the other, while the uterine body is pushed into the pelvic cavity and abdominal cavity. After reduction is complete, the vulva is sutured with 2 stitches of thick silk thread to prevent prolapse from recurring. Anesthesia should be given when necessary. After reduction, inject antibacterial drugs to reduce inflammation.

Postpartum lameness in sows

When there is trauma, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment is needed: use 10 ml of Antongding, 3.2 million units of penicillin, and 1-10 ml of vitamin B, intramuscularly twice a day; 10 ml of dexamethasone, once a day; intravenous injection of 150-200 ml of 10% calcium gluconate, once a day for 6-10 consecutive days. For severe pain, add 20 ml of 20% sodium salicylate during intravenous injection, and procaine blockade can be used at the painful lumbar area.

Postpartum paralysis in sows

Dry and crush pig bones or other fresh livestock and poultry bones, mix them into the feed and feed them to the pigs, 30 grams per pig per day. For severe cases, inject 40-80 ml of 5-10% calcium chloride injection intravenously as a single dose. Strong liquor can also be applied to the skin along with manual massage to promote blood circulation and restore nerve function. In addition, the content of wheat bran in the daily ration can be appropriately increased. For feeds rich in phosphorus such as rice bran, feed more roughage rich in calcium such as sweet potato vines, and feed as much green and succulent forage as possible; this also has a good effect on preventing sow paralysis.