Pet pigs Flashcards
Ellegaard Gottingen Minipigs
Minipigs are used widely in biomedical research as a large animal toxicopathology evaluation of new drugs
Aukland island pigs
A source of pancreatic islet cells for xenotransplantation
Legal issues in owning a pet pig
Need CPH number (register with DEFRA)
Ban on feeding kitchen/catering waste or other products that may contain mammalian waste
Movement license for transporting a pig under PRIMO
> 12 months: ear tag or tattoo on both shoulders
<12 months: tag, tattoo if market/slaughter/show
Death: carcase must be disposed of as fallen livestock
Classed as food producing for purpose of cascade
Dietary problems in pet pigs
Obesity is commonest problem
Failure to eat: fever, palatability, already full, water
Condition score:
2-2.5 through adulthood
2.5-3 beyond 8yrs
General guide for adults: 1% BW as feed intake, encourage foraging
Skin problems in pet pigs
Parasitic
- Sarcoptic mange
- Lice (H. suis)
Bacterial conditions
- Erysipelas, ‘Dippity pig’
Viral:
- pox, notifiables
Sun burn
Nutritional:
- Alopecia, seborrhoea (flaky skin)
Diagnosis and treatment of sarcoptic mange in pet pigs
Dx: skin scrape
Tx: injectable avermectins
Lice in pet pigs
Black, <5mm length anywhere on body
Very responsive to avermectins, or propriety lice powders
Erysipelas in pet pigs
Dx: clinical signs (prostration, fever, vaccination history)
Tx: Injectable penicillin, erview vaccination plan
Prevention: Vaccinate all pet pigs every 6 months
‘Dippity skin’ in pet pigs
Bullous pemphigoid
Necrotising cellulitis and dermatitis of young pigs
Extremely painful
Autoimmune condition
Diagnosis of ‘Dippity skin’ in pet pigs
Often by exclusion
Exclude underlying parasitic problem or bacterial epidermitis
Treatment of ‘Dippity skin’ in pet pig
Antiseptic washes
Topical antiseptic ointment
Prednisolone 2-5mg BID for 3d
Injectable antibiotic if secondary infection
Often self heal over 1 weak
Sunburn in pet pigs
Red sloughing/scaling skin along dorsum
Provide shade and wallowing area
Other skin conditions
Seborrhea/scaly skin (not parasitic): responded to omega-3 FAs
Alopecia: age associated
Photosensitisation: clover, rape, lucerne, parsely-related plants, pythomyces fungus
Hypersensitivity (washing powder)
Tumours of the skin in pet pigs
Melanoma (likelihood of metastasis)
Eye problems in pet pigs
Conjunctivitis/tear staining
- dust/soil
- entropion
Obesity associated blindness
- entropion may occur and require surgical repair
Arthritis in pet pigs
Diagnostic investigation
- palpation, kneeling, radiographs
- joint tap
Treatment: NSAIDs, weight control, controlled exercise, antibiotic if septic
Congenital neurological problems in pet pigs
Congenital tremors (Atypical porcine pestivirus, CSFV)
Nutritional neurological problems in pet pigs
Hypoglycaemia
Water deprivation
Bacterial neurological problems in pet pigs
Streptococcus suis
Abscesses
Viral neurological problems in pet pigs
Aujeszky’s disease
Others are rare
- Sapelovirus
- EMCV
- Talfan
Physical neurological problems in pet pigs
Pathological fracture
Other fracture, especially pelvic region
Behavioural neurological problems in pet pigs
May be oestrus associated
Signs of neurological problems in pet pigs
Sudden onset severe weakness of hind limbs - no muscle tone
Deep pain and weak reflexes
Anal tone and bladder control retained
Tusks in pet pigs
Continue to grow throughout life (hypsodont); sharp
Trimming necessary under light sedation and snout rope restraint
Trim to >2cm above gum margin to avoid entering innervated pulp cavity
GI issues in pet pigs
Similar to intensive pigs but less apparent
Gaseous anaesthesia in pet pigs
Isoflurane
Masking down piglets, intubation of pigs
Injectable anaesthesia of pet pigs
Ketamine used 15 mins after Azaperone
Ketamine, butorphanol, xylazine combination
Pentobarbitone not permitted
Local anaesthetics in pet pigs
Procaine
Can be used as infiltrate or caudal block
Sedatives for pet pigs
Azaperone; xylazine; butorphanol
Used for mixing at weaning, moving boars, sows savaging piglets
Variable responses, penil protrusion and injury possible
Analgesics for pet pigs
Aspirin; paracetamol
NSAIDs: ketoprofen and meloxicam
