Mini Pig Health Care

Dippity Pig Syndrome

Dippity Pig Syndrome by Cathy Zolicani (Cathy Corrigan, DVM) (03/01/15)Also called Bleeding Back Syndrome and Erythema Multiforme Dippity Pig Syndrome is an acute, painful skin condition that occurs along the back in healthy young pigs.  Symptoms: Occurs in young pigs – between 4 months and 4 years Sudden, rapid onset Screaming/squea [...]

Mini Pig Education: How To Care For An Orphaned Piglet

In case of emergency such as an orphaned piglet or litter, harmed piglet, or unsafe mom/environment, intervention may be needed to save a litter or a piglet. It is not recommended or acceptable to remove a piglet or litter from the sow unless it is to save a life. In the first 24 hours of a piglet’s life it is essential that it gets the first milk or colostrum from mother. This milk increases a [...]

What to Do For Constipated Pig

by Cathy Zolicani on Thursday, October 23, 2014 What to Do For Constipated Pig If your pig is younger than 3 months old and seems constipated, see your vet If your pig is not eating or is vomiting, see your vet Signs of constipation in the pig:  humped up back, straining to defecate with no or little production, little hard fecal balls that are individual, groaning or moaning while trying to [...]

Symptoms of UTI

Signs and Symptoms Of UTI A urinary tract infection may include some, all, or none of these symptoms. Different pigs with a UTI may show different symptoms or overlapping symptoms based on the severity of infection, their overall health, and their tolerance or irritation with the infection. Anytime a UTI is suspected please take a urine sample to the v [...]

What to Do in Case of Fever

What to Do in Case of Fever By Cathy Zolicani on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 4:08pm Fevers result when a pig has an infection (viral, bacterial), an inflammation (allergies, malignant hyperthermia), or an intoxication (ingestion of some toxins, bites from some snakes or bugs). Often, the fever has a purpose in the body – most bacteria or viruses can only live in a narrow temperature range, so the body, as a defense [...]

What to Do For a Pig That Has Gorged on Food

By Cathy Zolicani on Thursday, October 23, 2014 REMEMBER:  PIGS WILL EAT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.  In extreme cases, they will eat things that cannot pass out of their stomach and that will cause “pig bloat.”  Under these circumstances, only surgical removal of the objects will help.  So, IF YOU ARE CONCERNED OR IF YOU THINK YOUR PIG ATE SOMETHING IT CANNOT DIGEST OR PASS, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN RIGHT AWA [...]

What to Do for Vomiting Pig

By Cathy Zolicani on Thursday, October 23, 2014 Pigs Will Vomit For A Number Of Reasons  They eat things that upset their stomachs.  Constipation.  They gorge on things they should not eat.  Some infections cause vomiting.  Internal parasites.  Intestinal obstruction.  Some toxin [...]

What to do for a Choking Pig

CZolicani, Feb 9, 2015 and VIN.  With especial thanks to Dr. Roger Gfeller What to do for a Choking Pig Choking is interference with breathing caused by foreign material in, or compression on, the trachea (windpipe).   In pigs, this most often happens because apiece of food, like an apple, is stuck in the esophagus and causes compressionof the windpipe, which is located right next to the esophagus. Signs of ch [...]

CPR for Pigs

CZolicani,Feb 9, 2015  with VIN and special thanksto Dr. Roger Gfeller Basic CPR: Chest Compressions Make Certain the Animal isactually Unconscious Talk to the pet first. Gently touch and attempt to awaken the pet.You could be seriously injured should you attempt to perform rescue breathingon a pig who was only sleeping heavily and [...]

Pre & Post Op Surgery Care

By Cathy Zolicani on Thursday, October 23, 2014 There are several complications that are common after pig surgery: The pig was fed and it vomits and aspirates (causing pneumonia). No food or water after midnight on the night before surgery. Do not put hay or shavings or anything like that in the transport kennel [...]