By Brittney Malvitz

Malvitz Family Farm

A problem that can occur in newborn piglets is atresia ani or blind anus. Atresia ani is where a piglet is born with no opening to his rectum. While this is an uncommon issue, it is always something to be on the lookout for. It can be hard to spot right away, and you may start to notice the piglet is getting a large, round abdomen after each feeding. After about 24 hours, the piglet may become uncomfortable with increasing abdomen size. If left untreated, the piglet will most likely die from septicemia. The only treatment for this congenital condition is surgery but it is usually unsuccessful and stressful for the piglet. The best option is to humanely euthanize or cull the piglet. Again, this is uncommon but something to always keep in the back of your mind when you have an ill newborn piglet.