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Fiona Wase, 2006-2026.

 

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Fudge’s story

Here are Truffle and Fudge.  

Truffle was lonely as he had been taken away from Flora when she had a litter earlier this year, and we wanted a companion for him.

 

In May 2007 we bought Fudge, she was about 15 months old and despite living with boars in her previous home she had never become pregnant.

 

We thought that she would be an ideal partner for Truffle and brought her home to live with him.  

They got on well together.

In mid July, we noticed that Fudge was gaining weight and so we took her to the vet who confirmed that she was pregnant!  We knew that sows must have their first litter before they were 12 months old, as their pelvic bones fuse after this age and prevent the babies from being born.  

 

Fudge was 17 months old and we were told that she had never had a litter!

Aware that we would lose Fudge and her babies if we let nature take its course, we had her booked in for a caesarean operation on 3rd August.  The vet told us that they were not optimistic for the chances of survival of Fudge or her babies as it was a difficult operation.

Fudge was due at the vets at 9.00am.  Imagine our surprise and relief to discover at 8.30am that she had given birth while we were taking our dogs for a walk!  

 

Sadly one baby was born dead, but Fudge and the other baby, now named Bertie, are doing very well.

The chances of a sow successfully having her first litter at 17 months of age is thought to be impossible, we therefore think that she must be younger than we were told, or she had given birth before.

 

We are very pleased to be report this good news and thanks to our friend Sally for her pre-natal care!