Why do piglets grind their teeth and how to treat this ailment? In fact, mumps diseases are caused by a number of negative factors: changes in habitat, relocation, poor diet, injuries, injuries, fractures, infections and helminths. Young growth is especially susceptible and, as a rule, suffers first.
But why do piglets grind their teeth? What exactly could cause such behavior and what to do about it? In fact, if young animals have obvious signs of the disease, such as fever, rashes, loose and especially fetid stools, ulcers, lack of stool for a considerable time, refusal of food, and other serious manifestations of a serious condition, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
If the pigs are not lethargic, not painful and eat well, but periodically grind their teeth, then you need to watch them for some time.
Incorrect tooth position
Why do pigs grit their teeth when they eat? This may be due to improper position of individual teeth or their too rapid growth. Youngsters experience discomfort when eating, often pain, and try to find a more comfortable position for their jaws. Hence the characteristic creak.
Usually, when this problem occurs, one piglet grinds his teeth, while the rest do not stand out. It is necessary to catch an individual and examine its mouth: strongly interfering teeth can leave wounds on the internal tissues. If you do not treat them in time and do not treat them, then abscesses will arise.
In order for young animals to grind their teeth in time and not suffer from their intensive growth, coal is added to the animals. For the same purpose, adult pigs are hung up with chains - they gnaw them and grind everything superfluous.
Boredom
Another reason piglets grind their teeth is commonplace boredom. If the young growth is relaxing, relaxed, but rarely makes a characteristic sound, then most likely there is nothing to worry about. Typically, this behavior is caused by crowding of young animals and a lack of space for games.
Boredom and the lack of a normal living space force young animals to aggression - pigs bite each other's tails, fight and gnaw all around. You can solve the problem if you plant piglets on different pens. Or put a toy, for example, hang an old tire that they will nibble on.
Chewing muscle cramps and cramps
The next reason piglets grind their teeth is because they have cramping and cramps in the masticatory muscles. A twitch of the cheeks, after which a characteristic sound is heard, is an occasion to invite a veterinarian. Since such a phenomenon can be caused both by the physiological characteristics of a particular individual, and very serious infectious diseases that can spread to other animals.
Discomfort caused by unbalanced feed
Why do piglets grind their teeth with improper and unbalanced nutrition? This is due to discomfort in the tummy and pain. Young animals are constantly in severe annoyance and their teeth grind. Most often, this phenomenon is observed in all individuals located on the same food base.
In severe cases, young animals may develop peptic ulcer disease, mainly due to the abuse of finely ground and dry food. Peptic ulcer proceeds against the background of loss of appetite, general depression, and in the stool there are undigested particles and blood.
Due to the rapid transfer of suckling piglets to an adult diet and a lack of vitamins A and group B, gastroenteritis develops in animals.
Worms
Most often beginner breeders are interested in why piglets grind their teeth and grow poorly. The most obvious answer is the presence of worms. On the one hand, modern luminaries of medicine reject the connection of squeaking with teeth with helminths in the body. However, if, in addition to the characteristic sound, young animals have symptoms such as weight loss, wheezing, a diligent desire to scratch the anus, gastrointestinal upset (flatulence, diarrhea), nervousness and a long cough under exertion, then these are most likely worms.
This problem is solved by contacting a veterinarian who will prescribe the necessary medications and select the right dosage.
How to treat piglets
Helminthic infestations in piglets can be caused by a variety of parasites that enter the intestinal tract. Pigs are infected with roundworms, nematodes, cestodes and other helminths, which affect the internal organs of the animal and lead to the most serious consequences. Often, the entire population of young animals perishes if treatment is not started on time.
The most common anti-helminth drugs in pigs:
- "Hygrovetin" is an anthelmintic feed additive. It can be consumed dry or brewed with food. It is used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent.
- Tetramisole is in the form of a powder or granules. It is prescribed if ascarids and some other specific helminths have been identified in pigs.
- "Levamisole" - injections with a solution help with infection of livestock with nematodes. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommended dosage.
- "Alben" - a means against worms with a wide spectrum of action. It is available in the form of tablets that need to be fed once to the animal - put in the mouth or add to the flour food.
- "Invermek" - a solution in the form of a solution for injection, used as a medicine and as a prophylactic drug. Appointed strictly after examination by a veterinarian! Especially when it comes to young animals, as the dose is calculated in accordance with the weight of the pig.
For more information on the advisability of prescribing a particular drug and on the dosages and duration of treatment, you must contact your veterinarian.