Signs of a sick pig

  1. Pig stops eating, drinking, peeing, pooping ( none in 48hrs even with help) normal routine is off, severe shaking or noises when breathing, head tilting or loss of balance
  2. Check base temp of pig when pig is not sick
  3. Normal temps range 99-102
  4. Some items to have handy in case piggy is under the weather and needing a vet ( low sodium broth, fresh veggies into a soup blended into a baby texture with pumpkin or applesauce. Quick oats, thermometer, towels, fan and a radio are also needed when piggy is down
  5. Contact vet and let them know what symptoms are. No one knows your pig like you as the parent so if your pig is off and hasn’t acted this way before then contact your vet.
  6. Prilosec/Pepcid /Pepto and Maalox are good to have on hand for acid relief/upset tummy

Prilosec 5-10 mg 1 time a day for 14days

Pepcid 150 mg 2 times in a day

Pepto 1ml per pound of body weight

Maalox 2ml per pound of body weight

If your answers are yes contact vet to seek treatment

  • Is your pig poo dry?
  • Poop different color or size than normal
  • Pig lethargic?
  • Not wanting to eat/drink over 24–48-hour period?
  • Fever
  • Straining to poo or pee?
  • Not going potty at all?
  • Acting off (movement, crying or hard to walk)

VOMITING

Temp is taken in rectum. Normal range 99-102
Sissy Lou

Reason can be any of the following but not all reasons listed

  • Ate object or item that upset tummy
  • Ate to fast
  • Pellets went down wrong
  • Digestion issues
  • Reflex
  • Constipation
  • worms
1/2 dry pellets moisten pellets to prevent pig from eating too fast
Water added soaking into mush
More water the perfect mush for piggy

UTI (urinary trac infections)

An infection in the urinary tract. Treatable with antibiotics. Not treated can lead into other bladder issues, kidney infections.

SYMPTOMS

  • Cloudy urine
  • Possible blood in urine
  • Dark brown
  • Struggling to pee
  • Straining
  • Odor
  • Lethargic
  • No appetite
  • Fever
  • Has potty accidents
  • Urine dribbles
temp range 99-102 Know your pigs base temp when needed. Farm pigs are 101-104 check base temp so when sick you will know if the temp is normal for your pig

Take a sample of urine if you suspect Uti in a clean (sterile)container and get to vet asap. No longer than 4 hours for sample to be good. Azo will help if cannot get to vet right away.

Acorns can cause changes to the color of pig’s urine.

OVER HEATING/HEATSTROKE

Since pigs do not sweat it is vital to keep fresh water, wallows and shade to prevent any issues. If pig is showing any of the following sign’s water normally will not help and will need a vet asap

  1. breathing heavy/panting
  2. heavy drooling
  3. glazed eyes
  4. lethargic
  5. wobbly
  6. body hot to touch

Remove from sun/heat immediately to a shaded area.

WAYS TO GET TEMP DOWN Dab isopropyl alcohol on cotton ball to bottom of hooves

Soak a towel in cool water (not ice cold) lay on pig’s groin area or on neck area

Once temp is lowered check and get pig to vet asap.

Offer ice chips. Never hydrate to fast since it will cause brain swelling and death.

NEVER bring pig into A/C until body temp is down so it does not go into shock.