Of course the best way to keep your pig healthy is to be very observant and use a large dose of prevention.

Your best friend should be a very well-qualified veterinarian. I use a swine specialist who is affiliated with an excellent small animal clinic. This allows you the best of both worlds. You get the knowledge and experience of the swine practitioner as well as the small animal facilities for use of diagnostic equipment and surgery facilities. Needless to say, you want to feel comfortable working with your doctor and that he/she is sincerely interested in working with you and your potbelly.

Once you have selected the veterinarian and clinic you will be using, ask them ho they want you to handle emergency as well as any other 'not-well" situations. Most veterinarians will request you own and can operate a thermometer. I feel this is imperative for every pig owner (breeder or pet owner) and you should purchase and keep at least 2 working thermometers available at all times. An animal with a fever (104¡F or above according to my veterinarian) indicates infection and he need to see your doctor ASAP. If you feel taking a temperature is an unknown area for you, have your vet teach you.

Besides wanting to know the temperature of your pig, your veterinarian will want to know if your pig is eating and drinking normally. Also, note if there are any changes which could cause stress such as: extreme environmental temperatures, female in heat, change in urination/defecation pattern, or changing of the physical environment. Give your doctor all the information you can. Sometimes he'll pick up on details and put together clues you might think are meaningless.

There are several products I keep on hand to have in emergency situations. If a pig goes off feed, I consider this very serious and after the second missed meal, may start supplementing depending on the total circumstances. To supplement fluids and prevent dehydration, I use a pediatric over-the-counter electrolyte product such as Pedialyte, Ricelyte, or Infalyte. I try to supplement fluids at the rate by 1 1/2 - 2 qt./100 lbs. I also have successfully used Ensure Plus to add not only fluids but nutritional calories. Blended fruit plus a tablespoon of oil plus a tablespoon of brown sugar also has worked well. In cold weather (which we seem to have plenty of) I've fixed Cream of Wheat and mixed in with the fruit mixture. Obviously, to hand feed the pig must completely trust and respond to you. I try to feed 1200 calories to a 100 lb. pig. Again, work with a well-qualified veterinarian and discuss all treatments before hand.

Written by by Jane Hall from an article printed in N.C.O.P.P. Network News, September, 1995, Volume 5, Number 5.  For more information about the N.C.O.P.P. call 209.642.2450.