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Get Started In Pig Keeping: Pig health

by Tony York

Pigs are usually very healthy animals and provided they are kept and fed correctly they rarely become ill. If your pig becomes ill or shows signs of sickness call your vet immediately because the longer you leave things the worse it can become.

Pigs require a dry, warm house (pig ark) to sleep in, a balanced diet and appropriate vaccinations to protect him against known problems such as Erysipelas and Parvo Virus. You should also be aware of the following signs which indicate your pig is unwell:

Not eating normally
Drinking or eating only sloppy food (toothache)
Straight tail when walking
Wheezing cough (usually lung worm)
Scouring (diarrhoea)
Scratching (lice or mange)
Diamond shaped lumps on the side or back (Erysipelas)
Hairy standing up on back – ‘hairy pig’ (often a sign of worms)
Lumps or swelling on joints (Joint Evil)
Temperature (normal 39ºC or 102.5 ºF)
Not drinking
Lethargic

If a pig shows little or no interest when you visit it is usually unwell. A healthy pig is bright and inquisitive. Spend some time watching for signs of problems such as limping, eating very slowly or picking at the feed and examine the coat for lice or mange .

Buy a thermometer and always have it close at hand in the pig ark. If you have to look for a thermometer you may well avoid doing so until the next day because it is too much trouble.

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Get Started In Pig Keeping: Teach Yourself

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