Piggies

Question 1

What is the most popular breed of Pot belly pigs? What are some of the primary characteristics of this breed?

Answer 1

Vietnamese Pot Belly
-weight ranges from 50-100+
-come in a variety of colors (black, white, silver or any combo)
-average height of 16-20 inches

Question 2

What is the smallest breed of pigs? What are some other characteristics of this breed?

Answer 2

Juliana or Painted Pini Pigs
-these guys are truly miniature
-average 12-16 inches in height and weight 15-60 lbs
-they have a very gentle disposition
-have lighter bones and longer legs proportionally to other breeds
-usually spotted

Question 3

What breed are you most likely to see in a petting zoo and are rarely pets? What are some other characteristics of the breed?

Answer 3

African Pygmy or Guinea Hog
-have straight backs
-20-40 lbs?
-14-22 inches in height

Question 4

What breed of pig does Dr. Clark recommend for families with kids? What are some other characteristics of the breed?

Answer 4

Kune Kune Pigs
-small breed from new zealand
-relatively hairy
-comes in various colors
-likely will have to live outside due to size (200-250 lbs)

Question 5

What are the main concerns that arise from teacup pig breeders?

Answer 5

Due to the concern from the public and new owners to keep them small, breeders will recommend feeding them less than they need to grow and thrive
-these guys should weigh between 30-65 lbs when fully grown

Question 6

What is one of the most common reasons that pot belly pigs become unwanted or abandoned by owners?

Answer 6

Undesirable temperament
-they often become more aggressive with maturity, and the owner needs to know how to establish dominance
-spaying/castrating should also be considered

Question 7

What should you feed pot bellied/minature pigs?

Answer 7

Commercial feeds according to label directions (3% BW for growth, 1-2% BW for maintenance)
-adding roughage, fruits and veggies is recommended both for nutrition and enrichment

Question 8

What are some ways to curb obesity in the PBP population?

Answer 8

-encourage owners to routinely weigh the pigs
-teach them to assess body condition

Question 9

T/F: Pigs should be exercised daily

Answer 9

True! Exercise promotes physical health and reduces boredom
-Pigs can be leash trained or have enclosed exercise area

Question 10

What is the ideal environmental temperature for pigs?

Answer 10

65-75 degrees F
-higher or lower can be very stressful

Question 11

What are some important considerations when housing mini/potbelly pigs?

Answer 11

-they can be indoors or outdoors
-they need areas to sleep, eat and drink and a separate area for defecation
-they need a substrate to allow for rooting behavior, or a lot of toys for environmental enrichment

Question 12

What is the normal TPR for pigs? What other areas should you assess when doing routine physical?

Answer 12

T: 99-102
P:65-85
R:20-30

Also examine eyes, ears and skin (look for external parasites and examine eyes for entropion)
-examine teeth, feet and legs
-determine BCS and weigh if possible

Question 13

What two conditions related to the skin and hooves are pigs predisposed to? How can you manage them?

Answer 13

1: Dry, flaky skin (may or may not be pruritic)
-managed by weekly exfoliation with wet towels and application of lotion
2: overgrown and cracked hooves
-prevent with regular exercise on abrasive surface or yearly trimming

Question 14

What are the options for restraining pigs?

Answer 14

-Smaller pigs: cradle to chest, restrain with one hand under neck, one at rump
-Larger pigs: chutes/boards (no snares)
-Chemical agents: TKX is a good option. Benzos as well.
*do not lift by hind limbs, best to support the back

Question 15

What are the common agents used for induction of anesthesia in pot belly pigs?

Answer 15

Ketamine or Propofol +/- benzodiazepines
-mask induction
-maintain with gas inhalation

Another option for small pigs: Dexmed, midazolam, butorphanol
-ability to reverse

Question 16

Describe the process of trimming the permanent canines in pigs?

Answer 16

-can use obstetrical wire, mechanical saw or other instruments
-done under general anesthesia or sedation
-cut teeth as close to the gumline as possible
-antibiotics are usually given
-tetanus antitoxin is given if the pig is unvaccinated

Question 17

What are the core vaccines in commercial pigs?

Answer 17

Erysipelas, mycoplasma, Bordetella, Pasteurella
-can also add on influenza
-none are approved for potbellies but commercial swine vaccines can be used

Question 18

What are the normal vaccination protocols used in neutered vs intact pigs?

Answer 18

Neutered:
-erysipelas- 2 dose initial series 3-4 weeks apart then boostered every 6 mo-12 mo
-tetanus: 2 dose initial series 3-4 weeks apart then boostered every 12 mo
Intact
-erysipelas, tetanus, lepto and parvo 3-4 weeks apart before each breeding or vaccinate every 6-12 mo

Question 19

What is the problem with the rabies vaccine in pigs?

Answer 19

Theoretically they should get it, but there is no pig formulation of the rabies vaccine
-can use either dog or horse form but not approved

Question 20

What are the main parasites of concern in mini pigs?

Answer 20

Sarcoptic mange and roundworms as they have zoonotic potential
-should also evaluate fecal samples for hookworms

Question 21

When do minipigs reach puberty?

Answer 21

2-3 months of age

Question 22

What is the ideal age for castration in pet pigs?

Answer 22

2 days to 2 months
-can be difficult to see both in scrotum, so be sure to check for cryptorchidism to better plan the procedure
-treat the same as a dog neuter

Question 23

What is the ideal age for OHE in pet pigs?

Answer 23

-4-6 months
-similar to canine OHE but need to consider differences in anatomy (long uterine horns, no suspensory ligament)

Question 24

What are the main complications associated with OHE in pigs?

Answer 24

-distinguish the uterus from intestine!
-abdominal adhesions are common (limit handling of intestines, keep intestines moist and lavage the abdomen with water and a little glycerol)

Question 25

What procedures are commonly referred for mini pigs?

Answer 25

-inguinal hernia repair (more common in males- best to repair at castration)
-cryptorchid surgery (left more common than right)
-abdominal exploratory
-C section

Question 26

What is the main antibiotic used in mini pigs?

Answer 26

-excede IM

Question 27

When are piglets typically weaned?

Answer 27

At 3 weeks
-creep feed can be introduced starting at 7 days

Question 28

What is the goal for average daily gain in all phases of production?

Answer 28

1.5-2 lbs/day

Question 29

What is the difference between the amount of feed fed to sows and boars compared to lactating sows?

Answer 29

Lactating sows can eat up to 20 lbs daily, while sows and boars are usually fed 4-5 lbs of corn-soybean meal

Question 30

What are the main viruses that cause respiratory disease in pigs?

Answer 30

SIV, PRRS, and PCV

Question 31

What is a way to collect PCR samples in pigs which does not involve heavy restraint?

Answer 31

Hanging ropes in the pens to collect the saliva

Question 32

Describe a good monitoring program for disease in a swine population

Answer 32

New animals:
-isolate and obtain samples to determine exposure
-confirm negative for organisms which resident herd is negative

Resident herd:
-perform carcass evaluations and send out lung samples
-obtain subsamples of resident pigs for testing and monitoring of organisms currently in the herd and to confirm negative for organisms wanting to keep out

Question 33

What group is the most affected by GI disease? What are the best samples to get?

Answer 33

Piglets- have highest morbidity and mortality

Best samples: intestinal contents for culture, intestinal samples for PCR, FA and possibly IHC for certain organisms

Question 34

What age group is blunt trauma as a means of euthanasia approved for?

Answer 34

Piglets <3 weeks old
-gunshot and captive bolt are not approved at this age

Question 35

How long should you treat a group of pigs for before assessing efficacy of treatment?

Answer 35

2-3 days

Question 36

What is the only labelled indication for baytril in pigs?

Answer 36

Respiratory disease

Question 37

Why is excede used over other antibiotics in swine?

Answer 37

It has the broadest coverage against common pathogens

Question 38

When should you add medication to the water?

Answer 38

-when over 15% of pigs are exhibiting clinical signs
-when the daily injection count is over 5% of the population for 3 consecutive days
-daily sick pig identification and treatment must not discontinue when using water medications (sick pigs wont consume as much water)

Question 39

T/F: Water medication can replace injectable medications

Answer 39

False- you still need to isolate and treat sick pigs separately

Question 40

What are the two most commonly used water medication devices?

Answer 40

Overhead tank systems: capable of holding enough water to treat pigs for 12-24 hours

Proportioners: rely on pump to deliver measured amount of a stock solution into a water line
-can be set to various dilutions
-usually set at 1:128

Question 41

What is the least effective method for treating sick pigs and why?

Answer 41

In the feed because sick pigs dont eat
-also increases the probability of residues and there is a slower response

Question 42

What vaccines should a breeding sow receive pre-breeding? What about pre-farrowing?

Answer 42

Pre-breeding: parvo lepto and erysipelas 5 and 2 weeks prior to breeding

Pre-farrowing: bordatella, pasteurella, erysipelas, mycoplasma, clostridium and Ecoli 5 and 2 weeks prior to farrowing

Question 43

How often should boars be dewormed and vaccinated?

Answer 43

Twice yearly

Question 44

What vaccines should piglets receive and when?

Answer 44

Bordatella, Pasteurella, Erysipelas and Mycoplasma at 5-7 days of age
-can happen at same time as castration
-processing also includes iron IM, trimming of needle teeth, tagging ears and docking tails