Important Dos

• Keep current on all vaccinations. Potbellied pigs require vaccinations and are susceptible to other pig diseases and diseases that may be contracted by humans. The most common vaccinations for potbellied pigs are:
• 2 shots of each (primary and booster)before 6 weeks of age followed by an annual. These vaccinations come in 2 way, 3 way, 4 way, 5 way, 6 way, 7 way, 8 way etc. This means that there is protection of 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 strains in each vaccine.
  • Leptospirosis
  • Eyrsipelas
  • AR Pac
  • Specific vaccine for your area.
• Keep hooves trimmed. Long hooves can cause possible leg problems and crippling.
• Check your pig regularly for potential health problems or basic maintenance.
• Consult with your veterinarian if you pet has any health problems. Signs to watch out for are: runny eyes, sneezing, cracked or overgrown hooves, turned-under eyelashes, rashes, waxy build-up in the ears.
• Either purchase your potbellied pig spayed or neutered, or have the procedure done soon after purchase. Potbellied pig reach sexual maturity about 4 months. When in heat, some females will have a discharge, will become moody, and/or disobey house rules. Boars have a distinctive unpleasant odor. They may become aggressive and/or attempt to mount anything.
• It is important to get a veterinarians second opinion if you do not feel comfortable with your veterinarians diagnosis. Potbellied pig health is fairly new to most veterinarians. It may take some effort to seek and find the ones that are educated in potbellied pig health and are willing to work with potbellied pigs.

Important Don'ts

• Give human antibiotics, heart medications or other prescription drugs to your pig. Only use over-the counter medications with a veterinarian's recommendation.
• Put your pig in a situation that will expose him/her to suspected poisons such as antifreeze, cleaning solutions, poisonous plants, rodent or insect poisons and medications.