Basic Haematology and Biochemistry Information Link

Vaccinations

We recommend these vaccinations yearly, whether you have 1 pig or a bunch. All vaccinations are given
in 2cc dosage. We use the loose skin on the flank area. Sometimes a pea size lump will appear at
the vaccination sight and remain for 2-3 weeks. This is normal.

Hoof Care

Potbellies need regular hoof pedicures. Some, more than others, depending on the type of surface they
spend there time on. In most cases the front feet need more attention than the back. Be careful of the "quick".
This can grow into an overgrown wall. If blood starts to ooze, stop immediately. Their foot trim is one of the
most important parts of their health care, as proper hoof care will prevent most crippling as the pig ages.

Nutrition

Being involved in the rescue aspect of Potbelly Pigs, improper nutrition is one of the most common forms
of abuse we see. Many people think pigs will eat anything and so they feed their pigs everything. Pigs
should be fed Pig Food. A Potbelly Pig's weight should be monitored monthly. Their food should be
rationed and the ration should be increased with age. Older Potbellies should be fed twice daily.
Along with rationed food you may give your pig a children's chewable vitamin and a vitamin E.

Treats may be given in between meals but these should be limited to fruit such as raisins, grapes
and bananas, or unsweetened cereal.

Overfeeding your Potbelly Pig is abuse! You know how your body reacts to excess weight; imagine theirs.

Obesity

Obesity may cause life threatening problems for your Potbelly Pig including eye problems,
blindness, lameness, stress, heart problems, inability to exercise and an inability to
escape physical danger.

Obese pigs need extra amounts of fluid, such as water or juice, to survive but avoid drinks with
added sugar. Proper nutrition is the only way to prevent obesity.  The picture below shows a
rescued mother to be and her babies,  The mother was at the unhealthy weight of 285 lbs, she should
weigh 75-100 lbs.  The rescue was from a puppy mill where she gave birth twice a year and was fed
dog food instead of a healthy diet.  The babies were born very small and under nourished as the
mother had no milk to give.  Babies had to be bottle fed.

Internal Parasites

Symptoms: hair loss, coughing, low grade fever or bloody diarrhea.
Most Potbellies are worm free. If you are concerned about parasites, collect a clean stool sample
and have your vet check it out. Ivomec and AtGard are excellent de-wormers.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a very progressive ailment in older overweight Potbelly Pigs. Try giving 325 mg (a 5 grain)
aspirin two times a day. Flavored baby aspirin may be a bit easier on your pig's stomach. One children's
 Baby aspirin is 81 mg so four baby aspirin equals 325 mg. Adjust According to Potbelly size.

Mange

Potbellies get two types of mange.

1. Demodectic-small nodules that look like small blisters or sores that may contain a creamy paste.
This type does not infect other animals or humans.

2. Sarcoptic-caused by a mite, the symptom is severe itching. The pig may do more damage to
himself by scratching than the mange itself. This type does infect humans and other animals.

Baths and some kind of lotion may be "an ounce of prevention".

SWINE ERYSIPELAS
BY GEORGE GERGMAN, DVM

The disease in swine is caused by the bacterium Eryssipelothrix Rhusiopathiae and is manifested by acute or
subacute septicemia and chronic proliferative lesions. The acute disease has the bacteria in the animals
circulation and causes severe lesions throughout the animals body.

Skin lesions, joint lesions and heart lesions are all frequently seen as a result of this infection. Animals
under three months of age or over three years of age are less commonly affected.

Most often infection occurs when susceptible pigs contact infected pigs that are shedding organisms.
It has been estimated that from 1/3 to 1/2 of all pigs harbor the organism in their tonsils and other lymphoid
tissues. The majority of these animals do not show signs of the disease, they have sub
clinical (unrecognized) infections.

The clinical signs of swine erysipelas can be divided into three general headings; i.e. cause infection,
sub acute infection and chronic infection.

ACUTE ERYSIPELAS - Clinical Signs

• Sudden onset (find a pig dead)
• Depression
• Reluctance to move - stiff, sore gait
• Fevers (104°F to 108°F)
• Failure to eat
• Skin lesions (Diamond Skin)

SUB ACUTE ERYSIPELAS

Similar symptoms as acute form only less severe i.e. lower temperatures and milder signs.

CHRONIC ERYSIPELAS

This form often is seen three or more weeks after the initial infection and the signs exhibited result from
the chronic proliferation's typical of the disease. If the proliferation's occur on the heart valves, then
exercise intolerance is observed. If the proliferation's occur in and around the joint surfaces than
stiffness and enlargements of the structures are seen.

Swine erysipelas is of real concern to the potbelly pig and to their owners. This disease is widespread
over the world. Prevention is much preferred to treatment and bacterins are available that offer protection.
Treatment of the disease is very often successful if started early in the course of the disease. The
antibiotic penicillin is most often the drug of choice.

The organism causes disease in sheep and turkeys as well as many other species of wild and domestic
mammals and birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Human infection occurs as an occupational disease
of persons handling and processing meat from infected animals. The disease in humans produces local
skin lesions known as erysipeloid. On rare occasions humans may develop heart lesions and
generalized widespread infections.