Fencing must be strong and secure. Suggested materials include wood, chain link, hog panels, and T posts. At least 30 cm (1 foot) of mesh fence should extend beneath the ground to prevent digging beneath the fence. Note: Fencing must not only keep pigs in but keep predators such as dogs out.

Rough surfaces, like a concrete patio or pavers in the feeding area or at the entrance to a shelter, will help to keep the hooves worn (see hoof care below).

Provide proper nesting material such as straw/hay, blankets (fleece recommended as these are more resistant to ripping), sleeping bags, and/or aspen shavings (avoid cedar). Bedding must be deep enough to allow rooting or for the animal to completely cover itself. Replace wet or dirty bedding daily. Replace ripped blankets to prevent accidental foreign body ingestion.

Pigs are incapable of sweating (see Integument below) and are susceptible to overheating at temperatures exceeding 30°C (85°F). Pigs will begin to pant as they get warm, but this is often insufficient for cooling. Pigs require fans and water for soaking when it is hot; mud puddles are a great option as these allow for both cooling and sun protection via a coating of mud. Shade is also important because pigs have sensitive skin that can sunburn.

Water intake sometimes decreases during the winter or in overweight pigs. Restricted access to water can lead to health problems such as cystitis and urolithiasis. Offering warm or room temperature water may encourage drinking, especially during colder weather. Adding a few tablespoons of juice (cranberry, orange) may also encourage drinking.

Pigs are also normally quite vocal, with a large vocabulary of sounds.

Females can display cyclic moodiness, mounting, and urinary marking every 21 days or so.

Intact males display behaviors, such as kneading the ground (similar to a cat), mounting, and intense foaming at the mouth (unrelated to anticipation of food), as well as frequent vocalizations or “huffing” noises.

• The lower incisors are straight and project forward; shorter maxillary incisors are curved, with the center pair directed towards one another.
• The canine teeth (tusks) are also curved and deeply embedded within the jaw. The tusks of the male grow throughout life, while in the female the root closes after maturity (3-4 years) and growth stops.
• The surfaces of the premolars and molars are irregular, with wavy ridges for grinding food.

Piglets are born with eight teeth called “needle teeth”. In commercial pigs, these teeth are sometimes clipped to prevent damage to littermates or to the sow’s teats. This practice is not typically necessary in miniature pigs.

Deciduous teeth erupt until about 3 months of age; permanent teeth are present by about 20 months.

Tooth loss of premolars and molars is common in older pigs.

• The pig oral cavity does not open as widely as in the dog or cat (narrow “gape”) and complete examination of the mouth is difficult, even under general anesthesia.
• Simple stomach
• Gallbladder present
• Spiral colon and large cecum

Carpal glands are scent marking glands found on the medial aspect of the forelegs (select image left to enlarge). White to brown, pasty debris can sometimes be expressed from the glands and inspissation of secretion is common.

• Prenasal bone or os rostri, which can be seen radiographically within the cartilaginous disc of the snout
• Prezygomatic shelf:  The suid skull is unique in that it possesses an elongated flange of bone originating from the zygomatic root, referred to as the prezygomatic shelf. This shelf of bone separates the muscles of mastication from muscles involved in snout movement.

Pigs have one pair of principle digits (the two main toes that they walk on) and one pair of accessory digits (declaws) per leg.

Puberty:  As early as 2-4 months of age. Pigs exhibit sexual behavior before they are weaned and are fertile by 3 months of age.

Estrous cycle: 17-25 day intervals (average 21)

Estrus: 1-3 days

• Signs of estrus include behavioral changes (agitation, aggression, mounting), vulvar swelling, frequent urination, and possible mucoid vulvar discharge

Gestation: 112-116 days

• Epitheliochorial placenta, so neonates are dependent on nursing for transfer of maternal immunity

Litter size: average 6-8, range 2-15

• Only true multiparous group of artiodactylids
• Suids are also unique among artiodactylids in that they show nesting behavior prior to parturition.

Birthweight: 340-794 g (0.75-1.75 lb)

• Most newborn piglets are not able to fully thermoregulate.
• Sows generally do not clean young after birth.

Pigs have generally poor vision.

Pigs possess a keen sense of smell. The nostrils are located at the end of the snout and are capable of closing when the pig is rooting.

Pigs are susceptible to exertional myopathy, and although uncommon in pet pigs, this condition is extremely painful and difficult to treat.

Minimize restraint whenever possible, so there is less squealing and less stress for owners and veterinary health staff. Oral trazodone (10 mg/kg PO) and gabapentin (20 mg/kg PO) may be helpful when administered together the night before and again 2 hours prior to the veterinary visit. It also helps if the pig is harness trained (pig-specific harnesses are commercially available, e.g. Comfort Fit Safety Harness) and/or crate-trained. Crates can be partially dismantled, so the pig can be examined (or sedated) while confined in the bottom half of the pet carrier.

Always expect squealing when restraining a pig. Hearing protection is recommended. It is helpful to learn to differentiate between different pig vocalizations (anger/annoyance versus fear versus pain).

It is much safer to perform exams on the floor instead of a table as many pigs will try to leap off. Solid, non-slip flooring is also a must when working with pigs, as slippery surfaces guarantee a panicked patient even before the procedure begins. Rubber-backed bath mats work well for this purpose.

DO NOT use a hog snare OR pick up mini pigs by the legs as shoulder, lower back, or leg injuries can occur. Also, subclinical degenerative joint disease may be present and can become clinical after inappropriate restraint.

Restrain a small to medium-sized pig by placing one hand beneath the rump and the other hand in front of the forelimbs and under the neck (rather than under the chest) (select top image left to enlarge).

Larger pigs can be handled in narrow chutes or cornered using crowd boards or sorting panels (select middle image left to enlarge), which are commercially available through various suppliers, including Ross Mill Farm.

The “pig flip” is an extremely useful restraint technique which props the pig on its hindquarters or back to allow basic procedures to be performed, such as hoof trim or venipuncture (select bottom image left to enlarge).

See Therapeutics below.

Visual examination should include observation of gait, conformation, body condition score, skin health, hoof condition, respiratory rate and character.

• Rabies virus (extra-label use of this vaccine is recommended in areas where rabies is endemic); zoonotic
• Erysipelas (Erysipelothrix rhusipathiae): a soil-borne organism that favors warm, moist  environmental conditions; zoonotic
• Leptospirosis (2 initial doses, then annually for non-breeders and semiannually for breeding females); zoonotic
• Breeding animals can also be vaccinated against parvovirus and atrophic rhinitis (Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida)
• Additional vaccines may be indicated in herd situations (e.g. pig sanctuaries):   rotavirus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus, Clostridium perfringens type C, and E. coli.

Begin vaccinations at 8-12 weeks of age; administer two doses 14 days apart, then annually.

(tusk trim)

Tusks can become long and extremely sharp, and tusk trims may be necessary to prevent injury to humans and other animals or damage to household furniture or flooring. Tusks can also become caught on caging or they may even grow long enough to penetrate the flesh of the face (select middle image left to enlarge). Tusks should be trimmed well above the gum line using obstetric saw (Gigli) wire and edges can be smoothed with a file or Dremel tool. Intact males may require a tusk trim every 6-12 months and neutered males every 1-5 years. Females typically do not require tusk trims.

Dental abscesses are a potential complication (select bottom image left to enlarge), therefore tusk trims should be kept to a minimum and performed only when needed.

The frequency of hoof trims depends on genetics, age, diet, activity level, and the environmental substrate provided. Rough surfaces, like concrete or patio pavers in the feeding area or at the entrance to a shelter, will help to wear the hooves.

Some owners are able to train their pigs to allow hoof trim, and this is strongly encouraged.

Small nippers are recommended for owners and are available from online suppliers such as RossMillFarm.com

Castration

• Recommended at 8-12 weeks. The inguinal canal may be closed using horizontal mattress or simple interrupted suture when necessary.
• Castration as early as 1-2 weeks has been described in the literature, but >3 weeks is recommended when general anesthesia is used.
• The preputial diverticulum may temporarily swell post-castration.

Ovariohysterectomy

• Recommended between 3-6 months but can be performed as early as 6 weeks.
• Expect many bleeders within the thick, fibrous broad ligament. These broad ligament vessels must be ligated (select image left to enlarge).
• The female reproductive tract is quite long, with long oviducts, long uterine horns, and a long cervix. The ovaries appear “cystic”.

Entropion and arthritis are common problems in obese pigs, and obesity contributes to cardiopulmonary disease as well. Vision and hearing are often impaired due to physical interference of fat deposits over the eyes and around the ears. Obesity can also be correlated with very low water consumption, which can lead to cystitis and urolithiasis.

The risk of obesity in pet pigs can be minimized with:

• Exercise
• Client education: body condition score
• Regular weighing
• Meal feedings
• Measured rations
• Avoidance of table scraps
• Low-calorie treats

Osteoarthritis is extremely common in elbow joints, carpus, tarsus, phalanges, and spine, particularly in obese pigs. Clinical signs can include difficulty rising, reduced activity, and lameness. Some animals walk on their “knees” (carpus), while others sink onto their haunches, displaying a hunched posture that can resemble constipation (select image left to enlarge). Management relies upon regular hoof trims, non-slip surfaces, bedding to minimize exposure to cold or slippery surfaces, glucosamine supplements, anti-inflammatories, and pain medications. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture or laser may be beneficial.

Degenerative joint disease is an important reason for euthanasia in older, otherwise healthy pigs.

Otitis media/interna is secondary to ascending infection (caused by Streptococcus sp., Pasteurella multocida, rarely Mycoplasma) along the Eustachian tubes.

DO NOT place fluids of any kind into a pig’s ear. Some pigs develop a head tilt (temporary or permanent) after ear cleaning solutions are used.

Entropion can be genetic and involve either upper or lower lids; surgical correction may be necessary. It is also a common problem in obese pigs; primary treatment in these cases involves weight loss first and foremost.

Atrophic rhinitis is a condition in young, growing pigs caused by Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Clinical signs initially include epistaxis, sneezing, nasal discharge; affected pigs may later develop snout deviation as a result of nasal turbinate destruction.

Many pigs develop a red-brown ocular discharge (select image left to enlarge). Although this is frequently a normal finding, rule out mechanical irritation caused by entropion or foreign material. Allergies may also play a role. Gently remove discharge with a warm, wet cloth or baby wipe as this secretion can build up to a thick crust and cause irritation to the underlying skin.

“Dippity pig” or erythema multiforme:  The cause of this condition is unknown, but the disorder may run in families. It tends to affect animals <2 years of age, and is precipitated by a stressful event (e.g. transport, new human or animal addition to household, fight with another pig, thunderstorm). Disease presents as acute onset of severe lumbar pain–causing the pig to repeatedly “dip” into a sitting position while making distress vocalizations–and extremely painful, serosanguineous, burn-like lesions that may develop along the spine over the course of several hours (akin to shingles in people). Although this illness has been described as erythema multiforme, it is not entirely consistent with the disease seen in other species.

Various medications have been tried in the treatment of “dippity pig”, including antibiotics, steroids, and pain relievers, but the stress of veterinary exam and medicating may not be worthwhile. “Dippity pig” usually resolves on its own within 24-48 hours, and the pig returns to normal. This condition is best managed by a low-stress environment (i.e. alone in a warm, quiet, dim room with a pile of blankets or isolated in a stall with a pile of hay). This condition can recur.

Pig louse (Hematopinus suis)
Lice can be seen crawling over the body, while eggs or ‘nits’ are firmly attached to the base of hairs. Topical louse powder or liquid is an effective treatment. Nits (even when dead) remain firmly attached until the pig sheds, so resolution should be monitored based on the presence of adult lice.

Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes suis var suis)
This condition causes severe itching and thickened, red, scabby skin (select image left to enlarge). Owners may also develop pruritus and rash. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings may be negative; ear wax is a good place to look for mites. Treat all in-contact pigs, using doramectin or ivermectin (0.3 mg/kg SC or IM, repeated in 10-14 days for 2-3 treatments). Also treat dogs and cats in contact with affected pig. Wash bedding or isolate the pig someplace without carpet for 1 or 2 days.

Sunburn
Miniature pigs enjoy the sun and will literally “bake” themselves, even if shade is available. Clinical signs of sunburn include erythema of exposed skin (especially ears), crusting and hardening of the skin, and discomfort or pain with contact. Application of sunscreen may be necessary. Provide shade in the pig’s outdoor area.

Constipation
A common secondary complication of other illnesses in pigs.

Endoparasites
Ascarids are a common intestinal parasite and are often large enough to cause obstruction.

Gastrointestinal foreign body
Vomiting is a common complaint in pigs that have ingested fruit pits or other small objects, like pieces of ripped blanket. Intestinal obstruction can manifest as anorexia, vomiting, lack of stool, and lethargy. Signs of colic are less common.

Gastric ulceration
Suids are prone to gastrointestinal ulcers. Prophylactic use of gastroprotectants is recommended when animals are hospitalized.

Tusk abscess
Abscess of the tusk, especially the mandibular tusk, is a common problem in older male miniature pigs.

Struvite, calcium carbonate, and calcium apatite uroliths can develop in males. Surgical treatment consists of bladder decompression via cystotomy and clearance of the urethra by retro- and normograde flushing or by tube cystostomy (16-20 Fr Foley catheter placed into the bladder apex).

Uterine tumor

Older intact females often develop cystic endometrial hyperplasia and uterine tumors (select image left to enlarge). Approximately 75% of intact females >10 years of age develop uterine tumors, most commonly leiomyomas. These tumors may grow large enough to cause illness and death and surgical removal of these masses is technically difficult, expensive, and stressful for the patient. Therefore early spay is highly recommended for non-breeding females.

Gastric lavage is the safest management technique if ingestion of a toxin is recent (<4-6 hours) and lavage is not contraindicated (e.g. caustic substance). Activated charcoal can also be hidden in baby food. DO NOT administer hydrogen peroxide or mineral oil via syringe or drench due to the danger of aspiration.

Immediate treatment is very effective. Historically, penicillin is the drug of choice although a long-acting beta-lactam antibiotic such as Excede^® (ceftiofur sodium) reduces the need for frequent injections. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, such as flunixin or meloxicam, is also indicated to reduce fever. Tetracycline, chlortetracycline, lincomycin, and tylosin are also effective.

Jugular venipuncture is performed by placing the pig on its back (see pig flip). Pull the forelimbs caudally and collect blood from the right jugular furrow, a “trough” to the right of the manubrium of the sternum, with the needle angled toward the opposite (left) shoulder.

Small blood volumes can be collected from the tail vein in larger pigs (ventral midline of tail base, similar to collection in the bovine). Other venipuncture sites include saphenous, femoral, cephalic veins as well as the cranial vena cava.

Auricular veins are difficult to access in a conscious animal and allow for only limited volume collection due to the small, collapsible vessels. Auricular veins are also one of the only readily accessible sites for intravenous catheterization so should be conserved, especially in sick animals.

A long laryngoscope blade and stylet is needed to facilitate intubation. Intubation is best performed with the pig in sternal recumbency.