CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What to do when the sow is milked

Sows usually produce milk during pregnancy, so milking is an important task after farrowing. Milking sows helps keep the milk flowing, prevent mastitis, and ensure that the piglets get enough nutrition. However, when sows are milked, they may encounter some problems. This article will introduce you to the problems you may encounter when sows are milked and the related solutions.

Problem 1: Sows have swollen and painful udders

If you notice that your sow's udder is swollen and painful, this could be a sign of udder congestion or mammary gland inflammation. Congestion can be caused by late or incomplete milking, while mammary gland inflammation can be caused by a bacterial infection.

Solution: We recommend that you follow the steps below:

1. Check the sows' diet and water supply to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition and water.
2. Breast massage should be performed before milking to promote milk discharge.
3. Wash your nipples and breasts with warm water to prevent the infection from spreading further.
4. After milking, the sow may be given some anti-inflammatory medication, but please consult your veterinarian for advice.

Problem 2: The sow has very little milk

If you notice a noticeable decrease in the amount of milk your sows are producing, it may be because they are experiencing some stress.

Solution: Here are a few ways to reduce stress in sows:

• Provide a suitable environment: Make sure the sows are in a comfortable, quiet environment, away from noise and distractions to reduce their stress.
• Improve feeding management: Ensure sows have adequate feed and water, and make appropriate adjustments as needed.
• Lower the ambient temperature: High temperatures may have a negative impact on sows’ milk production, and a suitable temperature needs to be maintained to promote milk secretion.
• Check health status regularly: Check the health status of the sow regularly to ensure that it does not suffer from other diseases that affect milk production.

Problem 3: Uneven milk secretion after sows give birth

Sometimes, a sow may experience uneven milk secretion between her udders.

Solution: Here are some suggestions:

• Change the order of milking: Express milk in the order of milk secretion, which can ensure that each breast is fully squeezed.
• Change the milking technique: Depending on the condition of the breasts, different milking techniques can be used, such as massage, kneading, etc., to promote milk secretion.
• Adjust feeding management: Regularly check whether the sow feeding management is reasonable to ensure that they get enough feed and drinking water to maintain healthy milk secretion.

In short, sow milking is an important task, which plays a key role in maintaining milk flow, preventing mastitis, and ensuring the nutritional intake of piglets. However, when the sow's breasts are swollen and painful, the amount of milk is reduced, or the milk secretion is uneven, timely measures need to be taken to ensure the normal secretion of milk in the sow. I hope this article is helpful to you! Thank you for reading this article.