DEWORMING QUESTIONS
Where do I buy dewormers?
Ivomec and Safeguard- Tractor Supply stores, local feed stores or Amazon.com
Are there ways to tell that your pig has worms or needs to be "dewormed"?
Yes, your vet can use a fecal sample and test it for the presence of some worms, however, these tests aren't 100% accurate and don't always detect the parasites. Some parasites migrate from the colon and invade organs and other tissues and won't be seen on a traditional fecal test. Some pigs will have a distended or bloated looking belly, you may see worms in the feces, some pigs eat and eat but don't gain weight. These are just a few of the signs that may point to a pig needing to be treated for a possible parasite infestation. We do NOT recommend routinely treating your pig for parasites. (anymore) Pigs can develop a resistance to the medications used to treat parasites rendering the medications ineffective. Our recommendation is to have your vet test for parasites and treat if your vet feels like treatment is warranted based on the clinical presentation or introduction of new pigs.
Can I use natural wormers like pumpkin seeds?
You can use anything piggy approved, however, these two medications combined are known to be effective in eradicating the internal and external parasites. Using a home remedy or something not proven to be effective can lead to health complications or generalized discomfort of your pig and may not necessarily eliminate the parasites.
What age do I start deworming?
6 weeks old is a great time. If piglet is younger than 6 weeks please consult a veterinarian. Anytime after 6 weeks, you want to treat the pig as soon as she arrives home, even if you were told she has already been dewormed. Remember, you will treat as directed above, it will need to be done twice within 10-14 days for the Ivermectin and every 3 days, then that cycle repeated for the Fenbendazole. (See picture above with dosing charts and directions) After the initial treatment, talk to your vet about when/if this treatment needs to occur again.
Can pigs get fleas?
In most cases, fleas on pigs are really not an issue. Fleas live for 180 days, only about 20 on a host. The rest of the time they are in the environment (your rug) making flea woopie. So dusting your carpets, letting it sit for 48 hr and then vacuuming will greatly reduce your problem. It's messy, but effective. Younger pigs have been known to have flea infestations though as they have much softer skin. Older pigs still have soft bellies and can get flea bites, but fleas have a difficult time "living" on an older pig. Giving a young pig a bath if fleas are present can help with flea infestations.
How often should I deworm?
We used to recommend treating proactively every 6 months, but as new information has emerged, we n longer feel that treating a pig that isn't symptomatic, is not what should be done. We now recommend that you ask your vet when/if your pig should be treated for parasites and only recommend treating when a pig first arrives, or if you see worms in the stool. Otherwise, have your vet do a fecal test before giving anti-parasite medications so your pig doesn't build up a tolerance to the medications. These medications can be used concurrently or they can be alternated, but BOTH medications need to be given to adequately control parasite infestations when directed to do so by your veterinarian.
Do I have to give my pig a shot?!
No, and its not recommended to give by injection. Some of these meds are bitter, so you won't want to squirt directly into the mouth. You can inject the medication into something your pig will enjoy eating like a cupcake or other spongy food that is able to absorb the liquid.
How do I know if my pig had worms?
You can possibly see worms in the feces a few days after your pig has been given the medication to eradicate them, but you may not see or notice all types. Treating proactively helps reduce infestations that you may not be able to see for pigs that are new to you. Not all worms are in the feces, some worms migrate to the lungs, kidneys and other organs, so you may notice an improvement in their overall energy or appearance after treating for parasites.
Do inside pigs need to be dewormed?
Yes. Pigs that live indoors typically have access to the soil where some of these parasites reside. It's best to treat and then routinely have your pigs feces tested for parasites.
An article on mites and deworming http://potbelliedpigs4ever.com/worming
Ivomec and Safeguard- Tractor Supply stores, local feed stores or Amazon.com
Are there ways to tell that your pig has worms or needs to be "dewormed"?
Yes, your vet can use a fecal sample and test it for the presence of some worms, however, these tests aren't 100% accurate and don't always detect the parasites. Some parasites migrate from the colon and invade organs and other tissues and won't be seen on a traditional fecal test. Some pigs will have a distended or bloated looking belly, you may see worms in the feces, some pigs eat and eat but don't gain weight. These are just a few of the signs that may point to a pig needing to be treated for a possible parasite infestation. We do NOT recommend routinely treating your pig for parasites. (anymore) Pigs can develop a resistance to the medications used to treat parasites rendering the medications ineffective. Our recommendation is to have your vet test for parasites and treat if your vet feels like treatment is warranted based on the clinical presentation or introduction of new pigs.
Can I use natural wormers like pumpkin seeds?
You can use anything piggy approved, however, these two medications combined are known to be effective in eradicating the internal and external parasites. Using a home remedy or something not proven to be effective can lead to health complications or generalized discomfort of your pig and may not necessarily eliminate the parasites.
What age do I start deworming?
6 weeks old is a great time. If piglet is younger than 6 weeks please consult a veterinarian. Anytime after 6 weeks, you want to treat the pig as soon as she arrives home, even if you were told she has already been dewormed. Remember, you will treat as directed above, it will need to be done twice within 10-14 days for the Ivermectin and every 3 days, then that cycle repeated for the Fenbendazole. (See picture above with dosing charts and directions) After the initial treatment, talk to your vet about when/if this treatment needs to occur again.
Can pigs get fleas?
In most cases, fleas on pigs are really not an issue. Fleas live for 180 days, only about 20 on a host. The rest of the time they are in the environment (your rug) making flea woopie. So dusting your carpets, letting it sit for 48 hr and then vacuuming will greatly reduce your problem. It's messy, but effective. Younger pigs have been known to have flea infestations though as they have much softer skin. Older pigs still have soft bellies and can get flea bites, but fleas have a difficult time "living" on an older pig. Giving a young pig a bath if fleas are present can help with flea infestations.
How often should I deworm?
We used to recommend treating proactively every 6 months, but as new information has emerged, we n longer feel that treating a pig that isn't symptomatic, is not what should be done. We now recommend that you ask your vet when/if your pig should be treated for parasites and only recommend treating when a pig first arrives, or if you see worms in the stool. Otherwise, have your vet do a fecal test before giving anti-parasite medications so your pig doesn't build up a tolerance to the medications. These medications can be used concurrently or they can be alternated, but BOTH medications need to be given to adequately control parasite infestations when directed to do so by your veterinarian.
Do I have to give my pig a shot?!
No, and its not recommended to give by injection. Some of these meds are bitter, so you won't want to squirt directly into the mouth. You can inject the medication into something your pig will enjoy eating like a cupcake or other spongy food that is able to absorb the liquid.
How do I know if my pig had worms?
You can possibly see worms in the feces a few days after your pig has been given the medication to eradicate them, but you may not see or notice all types. Treating proactively helps reduce infestations that you may not be able to see for pigs that are new to you. Not all worms are in the feces, some worms migrate to the lungs, kidneys and other organs, so you may notice an improvement in their overall energy or appearance after treating for parasites.
Do inside pigs need to be dewormed?
Yes. Pigs that live indoors typically have access to the soil where some of these parasites reside. It's best to treat and then routinely have your pigs feces tested for parasites.
An article on mites and deworming http://potbelliedpigs4ever.com/worming