Cooling Pot-Bellied Pet Pigs Mini-Pig Care And Training. Rooting is a natural behavior that pigs need an outlet for. DO NOT place fluids of any kind into a pigs ear. WebA pig may refuse to walk on distinctly patterned, highly polished/shiny, or red floors because it appears as if it is walking into an abyss, not to mention they lose traction easily and can slip and fall resulting in fractures, sprains or strains. The pen should include a clean, dry, draft-free, insulated pig house for sleeping and nesting, measuring approximately 2 square meters (6 sq ft). Flooring should provide good traction (e.g. Heat Intolerance Pigs are intolerant of extreme temperatures on either end of the spectrum. Kunekune pigs will live anywhere from 15 to 20 years when kept as pets. The sow will be in heat for 8 to 36 hours. The frequency of hoof trims depends on genetics, age, diet, activity level, and the environmental substrate provided. The more weight or fat the pig has can complicate the anesthesia administration and procedure. Deep sedation or light general anesthesia is often required for most diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The nails of most pet pigs require regular trimming so that they do not become overly long. This condition can recur. Outside they will do this by digging up grass or other plants in search of roots and bugs. Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes suis var suis) Some pigs develop a head tilt (temporary or permanent) after ear cleaning solutions are used. The frequency of trimming depends on the surfaces the pig walks on and the amount it is exercised. Sitting in the sun. No one fully understands why this happens in some cases; however, inadequate opportunities for normal social interactions with other pigs may be a contributing factor. Many breeders will have the boys neutered between 5-8 weeks old, before they go to their adoptive families. The vulva becomes pink and swollen. Kunekune pigs are incredibly intelligent and will pick up any attempts at training very quickly. Adult potbellied pigs are most comfortable at environmental temperatures between 1524C (6075F). Administration of excessive antigen may cause adverse reactions. Application of sunscreen may be necessary. Permanent canine teeth erupt at ~57 months old and grow continuously. You should also use straw as bedding. They will hump, ejaculate (on you, furniture, clothing, carpet, other pets, guests, toys, stuffed animals), they become aggressive and are more prone to escaping or roaming as their hormones drive them to find a mate and reproduce. The pig flip is an extremely useful restraint technique which props the pig on its hindquarters or back to allow basic procedures to be performed, such as hoof trim or venipuncture (select bottom image left to enlarge). This sac can become quite large and prominent and should not be confused with an umbilical hernia (, The mental gland found on the ventral aspect of the chin has both scent-marking and tactile functions (. Pet pigs that are not provided with appropriate environmental enrichment or are not socialized early in life may develop stereotypical behaviors including pacing, staring, excessive drinking, hitting walls, drooling, rubbing on things excessively, and repeated licking of or chewing on objects, especially metal and rope. Female pigs, when left intact, are at high risk of developing reproductive cancers, including ovarian, mammary, and uterine. Auricular veins are also one of the only readily accessible sites for intravenous catheterization so should be conserved, especially in sick animals. caustic substance). The evening after the procedure, it is advised to feed small portions because the anesthesia can make your pig nauseous. Abscess of the tusk, especially the mandibular tusk, is a common problem in older male miniature pigs. It doesnt matter if they *know better* than to bite, lunge, charge, jump on people, when her hormones rage she simply cant control herself. (The estrous cycle of swine lasts approximately 21 days.) Pigs are susceptible to exertional myopathy, and although uncommon in pet pigs, this condition is extremely painful and difficult to treat. There are twoplaces the vet can make the incision, either near the testicles under the anus or in the abdominal area. Intubation with a cuffed endotracheal tube for anesthesia also protects the airway. How to bring the sow into heat After surgery, give all medicines with food to protect the stomach. Pigs housed in apartments without access to safe outside space can be offered a small, heavy plastic, kiddie wading pool with the side cut out for a doorway, filled with rocks and shredded paper in which they can safely dig. Pigs are also normally quite vocal, with a large vocabulary of sounds. As every southern boy knows, the arrival of feral pigs is both a blessing and a curse. Cooling methods for adult MPPs include moving air across the body, wetting the skin for evaporative cooling (which is more efficient at lower humidity), providing shade, and providing cool surfaces to rest on. While there exists an ample amount of literature describing pig anatomy and physiology, studies investigating the complexity of pig psychology and behavior are less abundant 35,46,71,72,73. For one thing, it is going to take some time for the hormones to get out of her system. MPPs should be exercised, whether kept outside or indoors. Historically, penicillin is the drug of choice although a long-acting beta-lactam antibiotic such as Excede (ceftiofur sodium) reduces the need for frequent injections. During cold weather, a commercial pig heating blanket or a heat lamp safely placed out of reach may be used with caution. Foraging boxes filled with dirt, mulch, large smooth stones, or plastic balls can also be provided for rooting. SPAY AND NEUTER FOR A HAPPIER & HEALTHIER PET. Ames, Iowa: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2014. If these objects and activities are introduced to the pig while it is being fed treats, the pig learns to associate the activity with feelings of pleasure. Dippity pig or erythema multiforme: The cause of this condition is unknown, but the disorder may run in families. Some may argue they're even easier to care for than their less hairy relatives. They also like soft, chewy items such as leather and hemp rope. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Their sweet temperament can certainly enrich your life long-term, but it's important to consider whether or not you can dedicate the time, energy, money, and space necessary to raising a large animal such as a kunekune pig. Please Spay and Neuter, for the sake of your beloved pig. When a pig is mistreated or abused, they WILL remember it. Mozzachio K. Basic potbellied pig care. Additionally, many new pig parents do not understand the definition of mini, and do not realize that even a 250lb pig is mini compared to many other breeds. Swelling followed by a draining tract at the angle of the mandible, especially in geriatric MPPs, indicates a canine tooth abscess. Dec 2017. The risk of obesity in pet pigs can be minimized with: Osteoarthritis is extremely common in elbow joints, carpus, tarsus, phalanges, and spine, particularly in obese pigs. The pig oral cavity does not open as widely as in the dog or cat (narrow gape) and complete examination of the mouth is difficult, even under general anesthesia. Mini pigs can also be offered an all-purpose livestock or equine feed. Surgical treatment consists of bladder decompression via cystotomy and clearance of the urethra by retro- and normograde flushing or by tube cystostomy (16-20 Fr Foley catheter placed into the bladder apex). You should clean their ears and the skin around their eyes regularly, beginning from when they're young so you can easily establish a mutual feeling of trust and relaxation during grooming. This is both instinctual and comforting for piglets. My cute little relaxed piggie becomes a little brat and tries to mount the more dominant sow all of the time. They can emit a horrendous odor if they are scared or excited, or just because. Those housed outdoors should be provided with as much space as possible. Pigs are extremely food motivated and always appear hungry. Kunekune pigs are smart and loving creatures, and they can make great pets as long as you're able to provide them with the proper needs and environment. To do this, you must observe the pigs behavior, weight, age, and health in order to choose the best pairs. In confined pigs, a hierarchy is formed as early as 1 wk of age. However, the risks of not spaying or neutering are far more dangerous for your beloved pig. Tusk abscess Boys: Male piglets should be neutered as young as possible. Commercial swine feed is not recommended for miniature pet pigs. The pig's meals and treats should be scattered in the foraging box. MPPs should be habituated to wearing a harness and walking on a leash as early as possible, ideally while still very young and small so they are more tractable. Activated charcoal can also be hidden in baby food. The ear canal is extremely narrow, filled with debris, and otoscopic examination is generally not feasible. This makes keeping intact piglets together beyond 8 weeks of age risky as siblings can easily impregnate each other. WebWhen a pig starts chomping, when in the presence of someone unfamiliar to them or another animal, this usually indicates a sign of aggression and your pig needs to calm down. The most common health problems in potbellied pigs are respiratory troubles and constipation. It should be lean, longer than it is tall, and athletic in appearance. Knowing your pigs will help you to recognise signs and take appropriate action to detect accurately the onset of oestrus. The pig should wear a harness and leash at all times when people are home. What It's REALLY Like To Have A Pig As A Pet. Three weeks prior to breeding a vaccination is given to the female and to the male pig to aid in the prevention of reproductive disease. In: Miller RE (ed). Obesity can also be correlated with very low water consumption, which can lead to cystitis and urolithiasis. Sunburn Older pigs should also be spayed/neutered but the procedure is often more costly and complicated than when they are younger. Punishment and other aversive techniques (eg, yelling, stomping, hand clapping, and slapping) should be avoided because they often prompt the pig to become fearful of the punisher and increase its aggressive behavior. Pigs require fans and water for soaking when it is hot; mud puddles are a great option as these allow for both cooling and sun protection via a coating of mud. $6.15. Entropion can be genetic and involve either upper or lower lids; surgical correction may be necessary. Develop a coloured marker system: Use different coloured spray markers and/or the position, shape or number of marks to show clearly the status of each female. Kunekune Pig Behavior and Temperament Kunekune pigs are very docile and sweet, which makes them a great pet for first-time pig owners. If they are younger should also be offered an all-purpose livestock or equine feed narrow... The more dominant sow all of the tusk, especially in sick.! 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