I went to see Jacob the other day. Down a dirt road in the South Carolina lowcountry Jacob lives in a his barn with his blankets and ducks. The ducks walk on him and sit on him when he is out in in the sunshine. Occasionally he goes for walks to the pond with his people. Jacob is a 300 pound pot bellied pig cross.
I am trimming his feet with nippers (above). When you are on a farm call it is always important to take a listen (below).
Like all pet pigs Jacob needs to have his feet and tusks trimmed. If pot bellied pigs feet grow too long then their wrists and ankles will have too much stress on them which can lead to arthritis. Long tusks can be really dangerous for the people, dogs, and other pigs that share the household or farm environment. Pet pigs also need to be vaccinated once a year for several diseases.
Power tools make life easier.
Rabies - Not required by law, but pigs certainly can get rabies. Since most pet pigs live outside vaccinating for rabies once a year is a good safety measure.
Erysipelas - disease caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae otherwise known as “diamond skin disease”. Erysipelas can cause skin, joint, reproductive, and a host of other issues in the pig.
Bordatella - The bacterial organism Bordatella bronchiseptica will cause upper respiratory disease with the clinical signs of sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, or even pneumonia.
Pasteurella - another bacteria (Pasteurella multocida specifically) can cause respiratory disease, pneumonia, and pericarditis (infection of the pericardium, a membranous sac that surrounds the heart). P. multocida type D will secrete a toxin that will contribute to atrophic rhinitis, a deforming nasal infection.
Leptospirosis - Lepto for short, this bacterial disease is transmitted by wildlife such as racoons, rats, opossums. Any mammal can be a host for lepto, including humans. Leptospirosis can thrive in warm wet environments. Sound familiar. Everyone needs to be vaccinated for Lepto.
<a href="http://www.usa-veterinarians.com" target="_blank">Veterinary Services</a>
Jacob had his exam performed under sedation as you might have guessed from his relaxed demeanor in the photographs. He generally has a great personality, but a spa day like this is a lot to ask of someone who can throw their weight around.
Russell Bauman DVM
Links and resources:
World Health Organization fact sheet on Leptospirosis
Information about pigs and porcine diseases
Photography by: