While smaller than a standard pig, pot-bellied pigs can grow to 15 inches tall and 3 feet long. Circular, serum-oozing lesions of various sizes are seen on lumbar skin surfaces. Fractures of the distal humerus and elbow area and femur are common. Gray says that some of the most common health problems in potbellied pigs include mange, obesity and arthritis. Symptomatic treatment such as rehydration and antibiotics (procaine penicillin 22,000 IU/kg/day, IM, for 3 days) may be at least temporarily helpful in less severe cases. Recently acquired young PBPs should be given a routine preventive injection of either parasiticide when first presented for examination. Exposure to further sunlight should be prevented. Don't be fooled by photos of pigs no larger than small dogs. Swine influenza is a zoonotic disease. PBPs with cracked hooves may additionally require antiseptic cleaning with tamed iodine and systemic antimicrobial therapy (ceftiofur at 4.4 mg/kg/day for 3–10 days, or ampicillin at 11 mg/kg, PO, bid for 7–10 days). Winter time with an indoor pot-bellied or mini pig can be a handful. In pigs, arthritis can be caused by past or present weight issues or lack of exercise, but it can also be the result of the pig’s breeding, age or previous diet. Before you commit to owning a pot-bellied pig, you should seriously weigh the pros and cons: The Pros: Pigs are very intelligent beasts. Several days later, the Foley catheter is occluded, and the urethra is inspected to determine patency and urine flow; if not patent, the Foley catheter is opened again, and the process is repeated several days later. These should be given with food, if possible, because forced PO administration can result in aspiration pneumonia and death, especially with mineral oil. Untreated PBPs may die. Signs are vomiting, anorexia, melena, anemia, and chronic weight loss followed by death (or euthanasia). Vietnamese Pot-bellied is the exonym for the Lon I (Vietnamese: Lợn Ỉ) or I pig, an endangered traditional Vietnamese breed of small domestic pig. Pot-bellied pigs generally have voracious appetites and will eat nearly anything that you offer them. If water is restricted and offered only with meals, care must be taken to prevent salt toxicity. Oinking is more their line. Treatment for tetanus is by massive doses of tetanus antitoxin and penicillin early in the disease, along with tranquilizers, isolation to minimize external stimuli, and supportive therapy. Pot-bellied pigs often live 15 years or longer. Constipation may be seen in PBPs; however, each normal bowel movement of a PBP is typically composed of one or more cylindrical formations made up of smaller, multiple fecal balls that may give the impression that the PBP is constipated. Skeletal development may be affected by relatively short-term nutritional deficiencies, especially considering expectations for rapid growth and muscle development in modern hybrid pigs. Potbellied pigs have an average life expectancy of around 15 years, and are generally very healthy animals. The histopathologic finding of eosinophilic infiltration into brain tissue is also diagnostic. Optimally, you teach your pig as a youngster that pedicures are pleasant. A healthy pig\'s temperature will be in the 99 to 101 degree area. Mortality may be high in piglets that have not ingested adequate colostrum in their first 24 hr of life. In simple constipation, fecal softeners or mild laxatives such as sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate may be used. In many cases, the owners have pruritic skin lesions on the arms or abdomen. Young PBPs isolated from other pigs and kept as pets may harbor mange mites as a subclinical problem until mite populations increase sufficiently to make the condition obvious. In some cases, they simply “dog sit.” Diseases affecting the spinal cord are listed below in … With toasty sammies, cool shakes and chill vibes, love your lunch today at Potbelly. ... is it possible to amputate a pot belly pigs leg (hind)and for her to be comfortable on 3 legs ? PBPs with injuries to the back or limbs are usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as buffered aspirin with antacid, flunixin meglumine, or glucocorticoids (eg, dexamethasone). Swine influenza (see Swine Influenza) is an important viral pneumonia in PBPs that are taken to fairs, exhibitions, and petting zoos and exposed to other pig populations. Because urethral catheterization is difficult without endoscopy, a Foley catheter is inserted into the vagina and inflated, and a purse-string suture is placed at the vulva. Mature female pigs (―sows‖) and mature male pigs (―boars‖ if uncastrated, ―barrows‖ if The Pot Belly Pig, better known as the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, is a breed of domestic pig with short legs and a low-hanging belly. Vaccination in older PBPs is probably unnecessary unless risk of exposure warrants continued use. Further treatment includes antibiotic therapy and acidification of the urine. Clinical signs such as vomiting and colic can be acute but may be more subtle and increase in intensity over several days or weeks. This is most unhealthy. They do face some health issues, however, especially if they aren’t fed a proper diet or spayed or neutered. Multiple tests are more accurate predictors than single tests. Cystitis and urolithiasis are common in PBPs. A thorough history is important for the diagnosis. Feeds are manufactured for various pig life stages. That doesn't mean your family dog can't get along with your porcine pet, but introduce them slowly and carefully. Keeping PBPs indoors where they are unable to root and restricting calorie intake to prevent obesity probably contribute to this continual search for food. Treatment with the appropriate antibacterial therapy (eg, extra-label florfenicol, which penetrates the blood-brain barrier) in the early stages of infection is most effective; however, death may be the first clinical sign. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Feeding and Nutrition of Potbellied Pigs. Recurrence is less likely after surgery but is possible regardless of method of repair. Lymphosarcoma, lymphoma, and carcinoma of the intestines occur in aged PBPs. Hoof cracks can be caused by overgrown hooves. A pot belly is put together differently, this pig had fat/muscle/fat/muscle etc...it was rather strange. The prognosis is grave, but some overheated PBPs may respond to resting on a cool surface and cooling only the head with water for 10–15 min followed by packing ice bags around the head. A sunburned PBP may be “down in the back legs” and show intense pain with vocalization. The large growth that encompassed the entire foot was composed of infected/abscessed tissue that involved bone. Radiographs may reveal obvious foreign material or delayed gastric emptying. Symptomatic treatment is remedial. Anorexia, scant fecal production, and a bloated abdomen with massively distended intestines seen radiographically are typical. One common problem with potbellied pigs is that the animals grow far larger than their owners were led to believe. They're piglets, not full-grown potbellied pigs. Lameness with or without joint swelling in one or more limbs is the usual clinical finding. Spaying and neutering not only prevents many aggression issues, but keeps sows from developing uterine cancer and barrows -- the neutered males -- from testicular and other cancers common in intact pigs. Can Pot Bellied Pigs Get Along With Dogs? As the name suggests, this breed originated in Vietnam. Because S suis type 2 is a zoonotic disease agent, care should be exercised to prevent human infection when performing necropsies on pigs dying from suspected CNS disease. Phenobarbital in addition to diazepam may be required to control the most severe cases. Picture bacon but all over except the back legs and loins...and oddly the belly was just layers of muscle for the most part. Intense pruritus and dermatitis are the basis for a presumptive diagnosis. That doesn't mean they should. The Pot Belly Pig, better known as the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, is a breed of domestic pig with short legs and a low-hanging belly. Yes, these pigs have a “pot-bellied” shape, but it is essential for them to maintain a healthy body weight and get regular exercise. Laser lithotripsy has been used to fracture urethral calculi not removable by flushing. Calculi that cannot be removed by this method must be surgically removed by incising the urethra at the location of the blockage. Symptomatic treatment is continued as indicated. In a PBP that is straining and unable to urinate, the bladder size should be reduced immediately by cystocentesis after sedation and radiography (plain or contrast) or ultrasonography to evaluate the location of urethral and bladder stones. If degenerative arthritis and joint fusion from chronic inflammation are present after polyarthritis, euthanasia may be warranted. Fractures to the bones can even occur. Gray says that some of the most common health problems in potbellied pigs include mange, obesity and arthritis. Recovered PBPs usually have permanent tissue loss in affected lung areas and may have recurrent respiratory problems. If your pig is not eating or is vomiting, see your vet. Foley catheter placement into the bladder may not be necessary. In chronic cases, pain management with anti-inflammatory drugs should be considered. Pot-bellied pigs often live 15 years or longer. Careful evaluation is warranted before treatment is administered. The I is reared for meat. However, they don't bark. Empower Her. Lower GI obstruction due to bowel stricture occurs in geriatric PBPs. Rectal prolapse occurs due to straining from bowel irritation from diarrheal disease, rectal stricture after S Typhimurium enterocolitis or previous rectal prolapse repair, cystitis or urolithiasis, persistent coughing, dystocia, or possibly genetic predisposition. 100lbs live weight = 75lb bbq pig. Moreover, pigs … PBPs may develop a habit of drinking water and urinating frequently because of possible boredom or unknown causes. Obesity can cause discomfort, lack of energy, digestive problems and leg complications in pigs. Flakes or a dandruff like skin shedding is normal and there is no reason for serious concern. This map was created using the list from the main pig vet page, but updated with current address and phone numbers. If you have a young pig, take steps now to reduce its risk of severe arthritis. Symptomatic treatment is remedial. Sarcoptic mange is the most important ectoparasitic disease of PBPs. Keep the hoofs trimmed and groomed, keep Fortunately there is hope for these arthritic pigs with a multi-faceted veterinary care program. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pot-bellied Pigs, Forgotten Angels Rescue and Education Center: Potbellied Pig Husbandry and Nutrition, Hilltop Animal Hospital: Care of Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs, Dog Breed Information Center: Pot-Bellied Pig. Signs of constipation in the pig: humped up back, straining to defecate with no or little production, little hard fecal balls that are individual, groaning or moaning while trying to defecate. Joint swelling in one or more cute little animal can turn mean and aggressive, them... 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