Abstract: The General Practitioner’s Guide to Pet Pigs
Like other companion animals, pet pigs require appropriate diets, housing, husbandry, and preventive care as core components of their care. This article provides a general overview of husbandry practices, common medical disorders, recommendations on when to refer, and a formulary for pet pigs. Many of the drugs referenced in this article are not approved for use in pigs, and knowledge of extra-label drug use regulations is imperative. Contacting the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank for withdrawal interval advice is highly recommended when using drugs in this way.
Take-Home Points
- Clinical examination of pet pigs is inherently challenging and may require chemical restraint.
- Obesity is a common problem and can lead to other comorbidities, ultimately reducing a pig’s health and lifespan.
- Gastrointestinal issues in pet pigs are a common reason why owners seek veterinary care; the most common causes are obstipation and foreign body ingestion.
- Neoplastic conditions, particularly of the reproductive and gastrointestinal systems, are increasing in geriatric pet pig populations.
- Neurologic diseases are common, and diagnosis often requires advanced diagnostic imaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging).
- All swine, including pet pigs, are considered a major food-producing species by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Although there are many FDA-approved drugs for use in commercial swine, there are few approved for the conditions in pet pigs described in this article; thus, extra-label drug use is often necessary.
Darby S. The general practitioner’s guide to pet pigs. Today’s Veterinary Practice. 2024 Oct. Mixed Animal Practice Edition. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/preventive-medicine/the-general-practitioners-guide-to-pet-pigs/