Hormonal problems

[Burns360]

So one of my sows keeps mounting the others constantly and being more aggressive. (She isn’t usually) she is still eating and drinking as normal. Her nipple is slightly crusty and I think it may be hormonal maybe cysts. Now I rang the vets and explained and they don’t have any appointments till next Thursday unless it’s an emergency. As she is still eating and drinking she isn’t classed as an emergency. The other two are getting fed up of her and are always screaming and it’s becoming aggressive. I’m at loss at what to do, I really want to take her to the vets but she isn’t classed as an emergency but I don’t think she will last till Thursday.

 

[pig in the city]

So one of my sows keeps mounting the others constantly and being more aggressive. (She isn’t usually) she is still eating and drinking as normal. Her nipple is slightly crusty and I think it may be hormonal maybe cysts. Now I rang the vets and explained and they don’t have any appointments till next Thursday unless it’s an emergency. As she is still eating and drinking she isn’t classed as an emergency. The other two are getting fed up of her and are always screaming and it’s becoming aggressive. I’m at loss at what to do, I really want to take her to the vets but she isn’t classed as an emergency but I don’t think she will last till Thursday.

It sounds as if it could be a hormonal issue. Can you divide the cage to give her and them a break?
The most effective treatment for ovarian cysts is removal of the ovaries by keyhole surgery but only a few vets do this procedure.
Alternatively a full spay (far more invasive and risky) or hormonal treatment, but in my experience this is largely ineffective but can be used if pigs are unfit for surgery

 

[Burns360]

It sounds as if it could be a hormonal issue. Can you divide the cage to give her and them a break?
The most effective treatment for ovarian cysts is removal of the ovaries by keyhole surgery but only a few vets do this procedure.
Alternatively a full spay (far more invasive and risky) or hormonal treatment, but in my experience this is largely ineffective but can be used if pigs are unfit for surgery

Yeah I can divide the cage until she gets to the vets. Is this likely to cause problems when they are re introduced without the divide? She is 3 in July so she is relatively young and fit. I am worried if she has to have surgery though

 

[pig in the city]

Yeah I can divide the cage until she gets to the vets. Is this likely to cause problems when they are re introduced without the divide? She is 3 in July so she is relatively young and fit. I am worried if she has to have surgery though

Hopefully not, once her hormones settle she should be back to her old self. I would reintroduce them on neutral ground though.
As l mentioned before if you find a skilled vet the risks will be much reduced. Where abouts are you?

 

[VickiA]

With everything @pig in the city has said. A temporary separation to give some respite until after surgery when hormones are balanced again will not normally be a problem, but definitely look into finding a vet who will do keyhole surgery to remove the ovaries as it’s a less invasive procedure.