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My sow seems to be stuck in season!

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libertyharry

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I have a 1 1/2 year old sow who is the dominant female in a group of 3. She has always been very hormonal when in season and usually displays for about 3 days each cycle. However, about 10 days ago she came into season and is still rumblestrutting, dragging her bum, raising hackles and chasing the other 2 ladies everywhere. They have a large 1.4m cage with a sleeping arch each, so have some room to get out of her way, but she is making their lives miserable at the moment. Has anyone ever encountered this? I am hoping I do not have to have her spayed but think it might be time I consulted a vet. (Strangely enough, this was the first season in her new larger cage and she seems so excited all the time popcorning everywhere.)
 
Spaying is totally unnecessary, it will make her sterile, nothing more. It will not change her behaviour.
She is obviously a dominant female. It does hapen from time to time. I once owned a sow with similar behaviour, she had to live by herself because she was so aggressive. One day, when I was cleaning out their living quarters she walked into a space occupied by another sow. Before I could get to her she had settled down and the two of them spent the rest of their lives together with no problem at all.
You can either keep a close watch on all three of them together or house her by herself or let her choose another pig as a companion.
Have fun!
 
It could be due to an ovarian cyst. However, it is possible that your sow just wants to demonstrate her dominion of the new cage, and will calm down eventually. I guess I would give it another week or so, as long as she seems healthy otherwise. I get the impression that ovarian cysts are not very dangerous, so that it's not urgent to take her to the vet (one of mine had one, and they were debating over whether it was worth removing) but maybe someone else will chime in on that.
 
I would think it is simply a new bout of dominance behaviour in connection with being moved to a new territory, which has been triggered when she came into season.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much. It should die down again in time.
 
I would have her checked for ovarian cysts, especially if it's unusual behaviour for her.

Ovarian cysts don't have to be treated off-the-bat with a spay; and spaying a sow with ovarian cysts will improve her behaviour and make her more bareable. It seems to be underestimated how many sows do have ovarian cysts so unless you get them checked out, you won't be able to completely rule them out. Even if she has cysts, she may come out of heat on her own, but her heat-cycle will be much prolonged.

If you have a cavy-savy vet, it'd be a good idea to have her checked out - at least of the peace of mind.
 
Thanks everyone, I'll give her a little longer and see what happens as it does seem to be a bit of a coincidence that she has moved cages.
 
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