Spring Pics

I've been a bit remiss on keeping the blog up to date ... so here is the recent news and some pics from around the barn!

• I lost Charlotte in April - not exactly sure what happened. I vaccinated all the pigs that am; at eve chores, she seemed a bit off, which I attributed to a bit of a vaccine rx - so I covered her up in blankets. In the am she was dead. Odd.




• Nicky (the pig formerly known as "slug", she was so fat!) is amazing and svelte ... she has great conformation - bec despite being So Fat, her eyes are now clearly visible, and despite haveing Very Long hooves, her pasterns remained upright and now that she's trimmed up, she looks great! Pics below.

Before:

Now:




• My waterfowl are reproducing at an alarming rate. I had about 7 ducks from the HS - last year one hen hatched a brood, but none survived past a few days (predation, I suspect). This year we have two brrods hatched, for a total of about 20 chicks - and the mothers are hanging together with the seeting mass of ducklings. Very Cute - but so much poop! I think I will remove any remaining nests etc - don't need more ducklets ... and I'd like to get them all herded down to the pond before we get too far into summer.





• We have a new dog - Gus - a pug. Not my usual preferred type of dog, but my daughter fell in love with a relative's pug, and the rest is history. We just love him - he's so great with the kids, and a snuggly cuddle-pug on the couch in the eves.

Willie Pictures

Catching up on posting some pics of my piggers. Willie is my old fellow - about 10-11 yrs old; I've had him about 1.5 yrs. He is a sweetie. We struggle with recurring urinary issues, but seem to be getting a handle on how to handle them - hit him with antibiotics at the first sign of urinary anomalies (hunching to pee, dribbling, straining, prolonged protrusion of the penis).

He is mid-treatment again right now (last time - much more acute was in July), and seems to be rallying well. I suspect the change in weather (colder!) has caused him to drink less, which may have triggered this bout.

Here are some pics of the old fellow - on a much warmer day than today (winter has arrived - at least in temperature - here in Eastern ON).

Willy Update - Urinary Issues

FINALLY found a source for Ammonium Chloride to acidify Willy's urine (Background: Willy has had some mild urinary symptoms (hunching) which prompted me to have a urinalysis done, which indicated come crystal formation and a too-basic pH of 8). So, I how have a multi-lifetime supply of the stuff (only comes in a 25 kg bag). Started adding 1 T am & pm to his soupy meals a couple of weeks ago. Apparently it has a bad taste, but he seems not to notice in the mix of pellets, warm water, various supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin, children's chewable multi, Omega 3-6-9, cranberry capsules), and veggies/fruits.

However, this past weekend, he started not quite cleaning up his food, and seemed to have a diminished, slow, dribbly urine stream ... Crap.

I hypothesized that either 1. the Ammonium Chloride was starting to work, dissolving some of his crystals to the point that he may be passing them, or 2. he had a cystitis. So, I started him on some penicillin to protect/treat ... just in case. After 3 d of the antibiotic, and some extra effort to make his fluids appetizing (removed Ammonium Chloride for now, added apple juice, lots of veggies), he seems to be rebounding ... hopefully it will continue. Will continue the AB for 2 more days ... then maybe re-do the urinalysis.

He is such a sweet boy - very gentle in taking food from my hand ... makes cute little "oofs", and takes his shots with no restraint (I use a very fine needle).

We are all so eager fpr spring ... up to our eyeballs in snow - with more ( + freezing rain) in the forecast for the next couple of days. However, it *is* getting milder. I fantasize about getting all teh critters out into the sunshine & green grass. Sigh.