Detailed Explanation of Postpartum Examination Steps and Nursing Key Points for Sows
What are the postpartum examination steps for sows? Key points for postpartum nursing of sows!
I. Normal conditions of postpartum sows
1. Within 72 hours after farrowing, careful observation is needed until all the afterbirth has been expelled.
2. During the process of giving birth to piglets, only a small amount of afterbirth is expelled; most of the afterbirth will be cleared within 1-3 hours after the last piglet is born.
3. The surface of the afterbirth tissue is fresh, with no rotten material and no distinctive odor.
4. The normal conditions of a postpartum sow are mainly shown as: stable and calm, normal nursing, normal feeding and drinking water, but the feeding amount is small.
5. The postpartum sow has lochia from the vulva, milky white in color, lasting for 3-4 days.
II. Postpartum examination of sows
1. After the sow finishes farrowing, observe at least once every hour.
⟧ 2. If the afterbirth has not been expelled within 4 hours after farrowing, report to the veterinarian ortechnicalpersonnel.
3. When the afterbirth is expelled, check whether there is any putrefaction, and check whether the rectal temperature is normal (39-39.9 degrees).
4. Check whether the sow's feeding and drinking are normal. If abnormal, pay more attention, and understand that this can be a sign that a problem has appeared.
5. Check whether the sow is quiet and whether nursing is normal.
6. Check the lochia; if it is thick milky white or contains fresh blood, the sow's body temperature should be checked.
7. Observe around the sow's eyes; if the mucous membrane is bright red, it indicates that the sow may be in a state of high fever.
8. When the sow's body temperature exceeds 40 degrees and she does not eat feed, inject a highly effective antibiotic and begin treatment.
9. If the sow is suspected of having endometritis, inject prostaglandin 36-72 hours after farrowing and begin treatment.
10. If the expulsion of the afterbirth is delayed or endometritis occurs, more attention should be paid to the condition of the udder.
III. Postpartum nursing work for sows
1. Environmental control
a. After the sow finishes farrowing, immediately clean up the afterbirth, and at the same time wipe the hindquarters and vulva with disinfectant water.
b. Maintain a dry and clean growing environment in the pig house, and control the pigpen temperature at 20-23 degrees, which is most suitable.
c. Keep the pig house quiet, to prevent the sow from being frightened by loud noise, which would affect the endocrine system or cause difficulty in milk secretion.
2. Recovery of the postpartum sow's energy
a. The sow will stop drinking water before giving birth, so after farrowing she will be very easily fatigued and thirsty. At this time, replenish energy immediately; she can be fed 1% saline water, electrolyte solution, multivitamin water, etc. If the sow's recovery ability is poor, an intravenous drip can be given immediately.
b. On the third day after farrowing, the sow needs to be driven to the exercise yard for appropriate exercise to improve the body's resistance, and at the same time feed a certain amount of nutrient elements to promote the sow's body recovery.
3. Feeding of postpartum sows
a. Do not feed feed within 6-8 hours after farrowing, because the postpartum sow's body functions are poor and metabolism will be impaired. Feeding at this time will be unfavorable for gastrointestinal digestion and absorption, so afterward gradually meet the sow's nutritional needs.
b. On the second day after farrowing, feed high-quality, easily digestible grain feed. When feeding, the feed should be made into a porridge-like consistency, which is beneficial for the sow's digestion and absorption.
c. Two days after farrowing, the sow's digestive function gradually recovers; at this time normal feed can be fed.
d. From 3-5 days after farrowing, appropriately increase the amount of feed fed, thereby ensuring sufficient milk production of the sow and meeting the needs of nursing.