Health Guide for Pot-bellied Pigs from Pigs*A*Lot

Pigs*A*Lot

P.O. Box 145
Cortaro, Arizona 85652
Phone 520.682.0310
Fax 520.682.0984

E-Mail: pigsalot@juno.com

Guidelines for Keeping a Healthy and Happy Pig

Pigs require regular care to ensure they are in good health. Good care starts with knowing what your pig needs, and what is potentially harmful or lethal. You should also be familiar with a pot-bellied pig's anatomy and normal values for temperature, reproduction, pulse, etc. etc.

We recommend choosing a veterinarian in your area who can treat your pot-bellied pig for routine procedures as well as emergencies. Please review the list of veterinarians in Tucson.

Like most other pets, pot-bellied pigs require fresh food and water daily. In addition, they require periodic vaccinations, as well as hoof and tusk trimming.

Your pig will also need to be bathed periodically. Some pigs develop dry skin and require some lotion or oil to help combat this problem. Use gentle shampoo to wash their hair and condition as needed.

Vaccinations

Please consult a veterinarian in your area to determine the best vaccination choices.

Hoof Trimming

Pigs' hooves need to be trimmed regularly to avoid becoming overgrown. Pigs will become crippled with age if their hooves aren't properly cared for. Start trimming your pig's hooves early in life so that he/she can get used to the procedure as a regular part of grooming.

Horse nippers can be used to trim pig hooves and the dew claw. Care must be taken to avoid cutting the quick located inside the hoof and the dew claw. If you trim the hoof and injure the quick, you will cause pain to the pig and bleeding will result. The next hoof trim will probably be an unpleasant experience for you and for your pig.

Please consult a veterinarian to show you how to trim your pig's hooves correctly.

Trimming Tusks

Tusk trimming is a necessary part of pig ownership, because it helps to prevent injuries to the owner and to the pig. All pigs grow tusks regardless of sex or neutered status. Boars will need to have their tusks trimmed in 6-18 month cycles. Barrows may need to have their tusks trimmed annually, whereas a sow can probably go for several years between trimmings.

Care must be taken when trimming and rounding off tusks. A small saw blade is used to cut the tusk at an angle perpendicular to its growth. Cutting the tusk parallel to the gumline is incorrect (see diagram). Improper cutting and rounding can cause problems for your pig as the tusk begins to grow back. Misaligned tusks can prevent a pig from closing its mouth and cause significant problems eating. Failure to trim tusks regularly can also result in tusks growing through the upper lip.

Please consult a veterinarian in your area to determine how tusks should be cut and rounded properly.

Normal Values

Rectal Temperature 101-104 degrees Fahrenheit

Pulse 70-110/min.

Respiration 20-30/min.

Puberty 2-4 months

Estrus Cycle 19-25 days

Estrum 1-3 days

Gestation 106-113 days

Average Litter Size 4-13 piglets

Adult Size 60-150+ lbs.

Full growth 3 years

Harmful and Potentially Deadly Substances

Salt Fertilizers Anti-freeze

Pesticides Moth Balls Caffeine

Chocolate Lead-based Paint Mercury

Pitch Moldy Feed Blue-green Algae