Veterinary Treatment of Pigs. Graham R Duncanson

pet (Fig. 1.23). Pet pigs should be considered as companion animals. However, owners and veterinarians in the UK must remember that pet pigs require care like all farmed pigs and are subject to the various ‘diseases of animals’ legislation. Naturally they are also covered by any relevant ‘welfare of animals’ legislation. There are two traditional pet breeds, which are suitable for pet house-pigs. The most popular breed is the Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig, sometimes called the Chinese House Pig. However, the Kunekune pig from New Zealand is growing in popularity. These breeds grow to approximately a quarter to half the size of a commercial pig. Given proper training they can make safe and friendly pets.

      Fig. 1.17. A bamboo stockade.

       Feeding and notifiable diseases

      Feeding pet pigs is a major problem. First of all there is a potential very serious disease risk from feeding of household scraps. This should be strictly forbidden to avoid the risk of the spread of notifiable diseases, principally foot and mouth disease (FMD) and swine fever (SF). However, this rule is likely to be disobeyed by pet pig owners (Fig. 1.24). Therefore a pet pig might easily be the focus of an outbreak of FMD. It is necessary to clean the feet of pigs being examined to determine whether there are vesicular lesions present; it is important to use only clean water, as detergents and disinfectants will kill the FMD virus and make confirmation difficult. Vesicles are more common on the feet than on the tongue, lips or snout.

      Fig. 1.18. Pet pig shelters can be simple.

      FMD should always be suspected if vesicular lesions are present, particularly if there is a high mortality in baby pigs. In older pigs morbidity is high but mortality is low.

      The most common finding is the sudden onset of severe lameness. There is a high fever up to 41°C. The affected animals will have arched backs and be reluctant to move. If goaded they will squeal pitifully. They will be depressed and anorexic. The incubation period has been recorded as short as 2 days.

      It must be remembered that a pig excretes 3000 times more virus particles than a cow, so it is vital that diagnosis is swift. Practitioners in the UK in any doubt should telephone the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and stay on the holding until a Veterinary Officer (VO) arrives. If a practitioner is fairly sure that the problem is not FMD, but has just a slight doubt, then there is no harm in telephoning another more experienced colleague in the practice or indeed from a neighbouring practice just to be on the safe side. However if FMD is suspected, obviously both practitioners must stay on the holding until a Government VO has arrived.

      Fig. 1.19. Accommodation costs are low for outdoor pigs.

      Fig. 1.20. Sharp tin is not acceptable even on a farm on the slopes of Mount Kenya.

      Fig. 1.21. This type of tethering is not acceptable.

       Exercise

      Feeding is a problem for pet pig owners and obesity is extremely common. This is largely a problem in Pot Bellied pigs but can occur in Kunekune pigs. In the opinion of the author it is a major welfare issue. Pet pigs should be fed on proprietary prepared diets. Grazing and rooting should be encouraged. Exercise is important (Fig. 1.25). Rarely do owners walk their pigs. Naturally there is a disease risk to commercial pigs but paths can be found away from outside pigs. The code of practice issued by DEFRA is not strict but should be adhered to.

Table 1.1. Space parameters for outside pigs.

      The owner may get permission to exercise a pet pig from the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM). The following rules will apply:

      • An exact route must be specified and adhered to.

      • The pig must be on a lead the whole time.

      • There must be no contact with any other pig.

      • The route must not go over agricultural land.

      • The licence must be carried at the time of exercise.

       Teeth

      The pig at birth has 12 deciduous incisors, four deciduous canines (tusks) (Fig. 1.26) and 12 deciduous premolars. These are equally divided in the upper and lower jaws. They are all replaced by permanent teeth. They have 12 molars, which erupt later.

       Reproduction

      Pet pigs have the same reproductive parameters as commercial pigs. The length of gestation is 114 days with a normal variation of 2 days. The breeding cycles occur all year round, with oestrus occurring every 21 days with a variation of 1 day. Pet pigs normally have about six piglets in a litter (Fig. 1.27). It should be stressed to pet pig owners that breeding is a specialized affair and should not be carried out by amateurs. Castration should be advised at an early age unless the pigs are going for slaughter.

       Environment

      Real indoor pet pigs are rare. In these cases the minimum lying area should be 0.5 m² per 100 kg of pig, with an extra 1.5 m² for dunging and exercise. Most pet pigs are kept outside with a hut to provide some protection from the environment. A deep bed of straw is useful in winter and shade is essential in summer, a shallow water hole is beneficial (Figure 1.28).

      Strong fencing is essential. Mains electric fencing is recommended to prevent the pigs rooting under a traditional fence. This rooting habit means that all electrical wires and water cables should be routed around the pig enclosure. Young pigs like to play with toys; they can be very destructive so toys and bowls etc. should be very robust. An area of concrete (not prepared with sharp gravel) is good to help the pig wear down the hooves naturally.

       Manure disposal

      Manure disposal is a difficult issue. On the one hand, the manure from one or two pigs can easily be mulched on a muckheap and dug into a vegetable garden. Equally, with a bigger operation the muck can be stored carefully and be taken away by a neighbouring farmer on a ‘straw-for-muck’ basis. It is the between-size operation where problems are likely to arise with not only the pig owner but also the neighbours. Careful commonsense education will have to be given.

Table 1.2. Checklist for completion of a herd health plan.

Standard

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