Sprains

Sprains

Symptoms

- Animal usually lying on its side in a corner of the pen.
- Limping.
- Affected area is swollen, warm and sensitive to touch.

Sprains are common in gestating animals, animals that are overfed and in Dalland and Landrace breeds. It is a pri mary concern in breeding or other valuable animals, espe cially gilts being bred for the first time.

Causes

The following conditions may cause the animal to slip and suffer a sprain.

- Overfeeding, making the animal heavy.
- Uneven ground of the pen.
- Use of large boars for breeding gilts.

Prevention

- Level the floor of the pen.
- Provide ample space for the animal.
- Avoid smooth, slippery flooring.
- Prevent animals from becoming too heavy (especially breeding animals).
- Treatment

Use any of the following treatments to sedate the pig, so the animal will not move, thus allowing the sprain to heal. If the sprain has not improved within 1 week, consider calling a professional (local expert, respected healer or veterinarian).

- Boil a handful of mature, air-dried Gliricidia septum leaves, bark or roots in 1 liter of water for 15-20 minutes. Divide the resulting liquid into 3 parts. Give 1 part each day for 3 days as a drench.
(Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

- Boil a handful of air-dried, mature Mimosa pudica leaves, bark or roots in 1 liter water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and divide the resulting liquid into 3 doses. Give 1 dose per day as a drench. Caution Mimosa pudica contains mimosine, which can poison the animal; use only the recommended amount.(Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

- Soak overnight a handful of mature, air-dried Glycine max (soybeans) in 500 ml of water. On the following day, strain and give the liquid as a drench.(Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)