[ChristmasValley]

I am fairly new to pigs; on my second litter. First time with health problems with piggies; vet has diagnosed two of the piglets with joint ill and prescribed penicillin injections. I will do that; but I'm just curious if anyone knows of any other holistic treatments that are effective for Joint Ill; the main reason I 'm going to all the bother of raising them is to have drug free meat after all...
Thanks!

 

[Andi]

Before you can (IMO) treat with an herb/holistic treatment one might look first to the problem.

It is caused by a bacterial infection that gets into the blood stream soon after birth. (from a number of different ways)

But that is where I would start ... the farrowing area.

 

[ChristmasValley]

I spoke with the breeder I got my parent pigs from; she says she had this happen once and she felt it was because she had not done a thorough enough job with the iodine on the umbilicals. The farrowing area was pretty darn clean, the pen had been empty for several months, and I had mucked out about a foot of the old soil in that pen and replaced with clean wood shavings...and given I will be more aggressive with my umbilical treatment next time, but it still remains that I have to deal with the two little piggies now...???

 

[Andi]

I would do as the vet said and go with the penicillin injections and work on the prevention side.

Yes, There are herbs out there but when it comes to pigs... I've never done that... (sorry... and I'm I herb student )

But even herbs are not a over night cure... but they do work well over time. I have always found that prevention works best... I would also give the sow as much greens & veggies as I could.

Sorry, I'm not much help... (and best of luck)

 

[PF]

Are you trying to emphasise holistic over other treatments?