Shaking Pig Can Be Catastrophic To The Herd-What To Do


Shaking pig can be catastrophic to the herd

Body Trembling and Shaking

Congenital tremors is also known as shaker pigs or dancing pigs. It is an awful pestivirus (a genus of viruses that attacks mammals) that affects newborn piglets. Shaker pigs tremble and shake violently and get very ill. As a result, your piglets can starve to death, as extreme trembling prevents them from nursing.

Symptoms of Congenital tremors include the head and boy trembling, splayed0 leg in the hind legs, poor coordination, sitting like a dog, and increased shaking with sudden noise. 

Here are a few signs to watch out for if your piglets have congenital tremors:

  • Piglets’ heads and bodies tremble when they walk (nodding their heads continuously)
  • Experience splay leg of the hind legs
  • Bad coordination 
  • Piglets sit like a dog
  • Sudden noise or stimulation can cause the shaking to worsen

How to Treat a Sick Piglet with Tremors:

Unfortunately, you cannot do much for piglets born with congenital tremors, as this disease affects the central nervous system (CNS), which will take time and medication to heal. However, follow these steps to manage the tremors and provide comfort to the piglet:

First, manage the condition to reduce mortality. You can bottle-feed the piglet to make sure they don’t starve. Lastly, ensure the sow doesn’t crush the piglet (known as overlaying) if they are lying down next to her, as they will be cold and look for body warmth (known as chilling).

  1. Managing the condition will reduce mortality. 
  2. You can bottle-feed the piglet to make sure they don’t starve.
  3. Ensure the sow doesn’t crush the piglet (known as overlaying) if they are lying down next to her, as they will be cold and look for body warmth (known as chilling).

Talitha van Niekerk

Hi, I’m Talitha van Niekerk, and I made the leap to farm animal ownership when I decided to fulfil my lifelong passion to own horses. Now, over a decade later, I run a public stable facility on 180 acres of land, caring for over 75 horses of all breeds and sizes. I love to write about my experiences, sharing the knowledge I have gained and helping others achieve their life’s passion to live on the land. See my about page here.

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