PARALYSIS IN PIGS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 25 (Supplement)

PARALYSIS IN PIGS

ADVICE AS TO TREATMENT. “Trouble is sometimes experienced with pigs otherwise apparently healthy and often fat, which either stagger or sway about on hind feet, drop at the hocks, or are completely unable to support any weight with the hind limbs, which are trailed behind them,” states Mr. D. Marshall, M.R.C.V.S. “While sometimes seen in weaners, the condii tion is more often met in pigs about four months old, and occasionally in sows or boars.” Treatment, continues the report, is uncertain. Sometimes a change of diet and the addition of lime, codlivei’ oil and iodine have been followed by recovery, in other cases they have failed. “Attempts to prevent the condition have also been of doubtful value. The best thing is to try the variations, in diet, and where there is chance of more of the line becoming affected to quit them as porkers as the carcase is quite suitable for use. “The above disease should not be confused with a type of sudden lameness and soreness, with unwillingness to rise, sometimes seen in young pigs which squeal when handled, and may show general symptoms of fever and illness not seen in ‘paralysis.’ This is a type of joint infection and the hocks are sometimes visibly swollen. Death may follow after one or two days. Sudden chills and damp conditions may be responsible.