WHEN YOUR PIG IS SICK…

Your vet will need detailed information in order to diagnose and determine course of treatment. The more info you can provide, the easier his job will be. Let’s start with the basics. (This is the printable version)

Basic info:

Pig's Name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Age________ (Or how long you have had this pig) Weight________ Temperature___________

Body condition: _____thin ______normal ______obese

Sex:_____ spayed/neutered_____________

Vaccinated:_____ (y/n) which vaccinations given?_____________when?_________________

Last dewormed? _____________ what medications were used/doses? _________________

When was your pig’s last exam___________ regular medications/supplements given? ___________

Last time your pig ate/drank (date & time) __________________________________________________________

What meds or vitamins/supplements do you give, if applicable?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

General health:

Indoor/outdoor/combination? _________ Temperature of living quarters?_______________ Any recent illnesses?_____________

Availability of shelter: _____good shelter, _____fresh water, _____pool or wallow, _____shade

Regular diet consists of:___________________________________________________ frequency_______________ quantity_________________

Access to toxins? ________Household or plants?_______ Any new foods introduced?_________

Other pertinent information: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TAKE PIG’S TEMPERATURE every 6 hours and document it!!!!

VERY LOW LOW NORMAL ELEVATED VERY ELEVATED

F 95-97 98-99 100-101 102-103 104 & up

C 35-36 36.5-37 38-39 39-39.5 40 & up

Onset of illness and symptoms:

SYMPTOMS and WHEN FIRST NOTICED date________AM___PM___

What was your pig doing prior to these symptoms occurring? Does anything make the symptoms better or worse?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*EATING: ____ eating well ____slightly off feed ____refusing food altogether ____eats some foods, but not like usual

*TEETH: Does your pig have difficulty swallowing or chewing? _____________ Any broken teeth? ___________

Does your pig have regular dental cleanings?______ Are you able to look inside the mouth to check teeth/gums?_______

*DRINKING: ____ drinking well ____drinking less ____not drinking at all

*LETHARGIC: ____active ____slightly ____moderately ____down/not up at all

*LESIONS/SPOTS/HIVES on body… possible Erysipelas, must treat immediately!

Any lesions? ____y/n _________________________________________________________description of lesions

*BREATHING: ____normal ____slightly rapid ____labored ____open mouth/panting

*COUGH: ____none ____slight/infrequent ____frequent/hard ____productive

Describe…dry cough, gagging, etc.__________________________________________________________

*NASAL DISCHARGE: ____none ____slight drainage ____heavy drainage

Describe discharge ____clear/watery ___clear/thick ____Yellow/green & thick ___bloody

*URINATION: ____normal frequency and amount ___reduced ____straining/little or no passing

Color of urine ____watery clear ____light yellow ____med. yellow ____dark/concentrated

*DEFECATION: ____normal frequency and amount ____reduced ____straining/little no passing

Describe manure: ____ normally formed balls ____tube-like ____very soft/unformed

____ diarrhea/some control ____watery/no control

Describe color: ____normal green/brown ____black ____light green/yellowish/greyish ____bloody

*VOMITING indicates a problem. Pigs do not normally vomit, as a dog or cat might. A single incident may be due to choking. Multiple incidents indicate something more serious and could indicate a blockage. Note if the vomit appears to be: ____undigested ____partially digested _____each time your pig eats _____occasionally

*ABDOMEN: ____normal/soft _____full/firm _____distended hard ____unusual shape (lumps/bumps)

Reaction when palpated… ____none/not painful ____some/uncomfortable ____strong/painful

*HEAD/EARS: ____head tilt ___recent bath or pool time ____ doesn't seem to hear you ____hearing seems fine ____drainage from ears ____head pressing (against walls) ____traumatic injury ____wound

*EYES: ____blind ____suspected blindness _____unable to see _____no issues with vision ____excessive eye drainage

*LAMENESS: ____slight ____moderate ____severe ____will not bear weight

Swelling? ____none ____moderate ____severe

Heat? ____ none ____moderate ____severe

Onset? ____sudden ____gradual ____chronic

*BACK INJURY POSSIBILITY: ____ difficulty walking ____spine may curve ____unable to stand

*BEHAVIORAL CHANGES: ______acting aggressive ______lethargic _______ not responding _____normal behavior ______seems to be in pain _____other (please explain)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

** DIPPITY PIG may appear to be a back injury. Symptoms range from mild to severe, including screaming and falling. Pig will “dip” back in pain. Lesions, typically like tiger stripes may appear on back. Alarming but usually resolves on own in 24-48 hours, sometimes longer. Can recur. Keep pig quiet, in dim area, out of sun. Speculation as to cause includes stress, sun, unknown cause. Usually seen in pigs under three years but can occur at any age. Discuss pain management with vet. (Please see our website www.minipiginfo.com for additional information regarding diseases that commonly affect pigs)

OTHER NOTES: