Pigs are charming and intelligent creatures who make excellent pets. They need proper veterinary care to maintain their health and happiness and our Church’s Mobile Veterinary Service team offers several swine services to meet your pet pig’s veterinary needs. We explain what preventive care measures are necessary for your piggy friend.
Pet pig vaccinations
Pet pigs should be vaccinated against erysipelas, leptospirosis, and tetanus. Vaccination typically starts at 8 to 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster a month later and and then annually. Depending on your pig’s breeding status and potential for pathogen exposure, Dr. Church may recommend additional vaccines, such as parvovirus, rabies, pseudorabies, coronavirus, and rotavirus.
Pet pig hoof care
Like horses and cows, pigs have hooves that grow continuously and need trimming periodically. Regular hoof care is important for several reasons, including:
- Preventing overgrowth and deformities — Without natural wear from various terrains, your pig’s hooves can become overgrown, which can lead to deformities such as curled or twisted toes.
- Improving mobility — Well-trimmed hooves are necessary for proper mobility and lameness prevention.
- Reducing infection risk — Overgrown hooves can trap dirt, debris, and moisture, which creates an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal growth. Regular trimming helps keep the hooves clean and minimizes infection risk.
- Avoiding joint and muscular problems — When their hooves are not properly maintained, your pig may alter their gait to compensate for discomfort, which can lead to excess stress on joints and muscles and potentially result in musculoskeletal issues, such as arthritis or muscle strain.
- Veterinary monitoring — Regular hoof trimming allows Dr. Church to inspect your pig’s hooves for injury, infection, or abnormalities, allowing for early detection and intervention if treatment is necessary.
Pet pig tusk care
Pig tusks are elongated, continuously growing canine teeth. Intact males typically need their tusks dremeled every 6 to 12 months, while neutered males need theirs trimmed only every one to three years. Tusk trimming is performed for the following reasons:
- Preventing injury — Tusks can grow long and sharp, potentially injuring other animals or humans when the pig is playing or trying to establish dominance.
- Avoiding tusk breakage — Tusks that aren’t trimmed can be susceptible to breakage, causing pain and risk of infection.
- Facilitating handling — Trimming tusks makes handling and examining the pig easier for owners and veterinarians and facilitates routine health checks, vaccinations, and other necessary procedures.
- Preventing destructive behavior — Digging and rooting are natural pig behaviors, but if your pig’s tusks are too long, the pig can harm their environment.
Pet pig skin care
Pet pigs often have problematic skin conditions, with dry skin resulting from a fatty acid dietary deficiency the most common. The best way to prevent this condition is to feed your pig a balanced pelleted food formulated for swine. Other pig skin conditions include:
- Sarcoptic mange — Sarcoptic mange is caused by parasitic mites that can spread to humans and other household pets. Signs include thickened, itchy, red, flaky skin that may progress to crusting and scabbing. Our team can provide appropriate anti-parasitics if your pet pig is affected.
- Yeast dermatitis — Pigs affected by yeast dermatitis exhibit signs similar to sarcoptic mange, but tend to be less itchy. Treatment involves bathing with an antifungal shampoo.
- Sunburn — White or spotted pigs can sunburn easily, especially on their ears, nose, back, and nipples. Your sunburned pet pig may require topical or oral anti-inflammatory medication. You should protect your pig from sunburn by ensuring they have access to shade.
Pet pig intestinal parasite control
Intestinal parasites can cause significant health problems for your pet pig. Their best protection is to routinely check their feces for parasites. If worms are found, Dr. Church will prescribe an appropriate deworming medication.
Pet pig spay and neuter
Pigs not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered. Intact male pigs are fertile by 3 months of age and will exhibit undesirable behaviors, such as excessive rooting, kneading, mounting, and in some cases, aggression. They also tend to have a strong, offensive odor. Dr. Church can also perform a cryptorchid castration if your pig’s testicles don’t drop properly.
Female intact pigs can also exhibit undesirable behaviors and are at higher risk for uterine tumors, so spaying between 3 to 6 months of age is recommended.
If your pet pig’s tusks need dremeling or their hooves are due for a trim, contact our Church’s Mobile Veterinary Service team to schedule an appointment.
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