During giving birth

Figure: Helping to clean piglets at birth and tie their umbilical cords

• First-time in pig are more difficult to give birth to than older sows (two or more litters).

• The sow twitches hind legs and pushes hard, which is when the sow tries to push the piglets out and piglets are usually born about 10-15 minutes apart.

• If the sow gives birth easily, the sow will have finished giving birth after 2-3 hours and placenta will fall out

• After wiping the piglet dry, farmer should tie the umbilical cord using a thread dipped in alcohol or iodine, about 3 cm from the piglet abdomen, then using sterilized scissors, cut the umbilical cord 2 cm from the point of attachment and clean the cut area with iodine or red dye.

• But if the interval between the next born piglets more than 40 minutes, there is a problem.

• Observe the belly for movements of the unborn piglet.

• Farmers should take attention when the sow gives birth and help if necessary.

• Clean cloths should be available for cleaning and drying piglets and wiping away any mucus from the mouth and nose to ensure that the piglets can breathe well.

• Such this practices will save many piglet alive.

• In cases the piglets are born abnormally, are stillborn or too big to be born, we must turn the piglets back to their normal position (back legs first or head first). Before entering the genitals, must wash and sanitize hands with soap.

• Cut nails short, clean off any dirt that sticks to nails, and apply cooking oil or paraffin to the hands to make them easier to grip.

• If hygiene standards are not strictly followed, the uterus can easily become infected.

• In cases, the sow does not have enough energy or effort to push the piglets out, or the birth lasts more than 1 hour, the sow must be given an intramuscular injection of oxytocin to help the sow push the piglets out.

• If the sow still has not given birth, you should call a veterinarian to come and rescue.

Figure: A normal piglet born