How to recognize your pig may be in distress from being overheated/heat stroke

Without sweat glands, pigs cool down by laying on the cool ground, laying in mud holes or taking a dip in a kiddie pool. But when your pig becomes overheated, this may not be effective. Overheating can cause your pig to pant rapidly and excessively, drool thick, rope like saliva, the eyes may have a glazed over look to them and obviously may be excessively thirsty. His gums may become very dry and even a bit crispy from dehydration. As the condition progresses, the gums and tongue, and often the delicate skin around the eyes, will turn dark pink or bright red. His skin may very warm to the touch, the body temperature may be elevated, your pig may vomit or have bloody diarrhea. He may have a worried and anxious look on his face; after all, he is in distress. As the pig becomes hotter, he may become weak and stumble or even collapse or start having seizures. At this point, your pig's life is in jeopardy. If there should ever come a time when your pig is "panting", that is an emergency and needs to be handled as such. Pigs don't pant to help bring their core body temperature down and it isn't an effective way for them to cool down either.
Breed and Age Considerations- Short-nose animals in general have a more difficult time cooling the air through their nasal cavity and are considered to be inefficient panters. Pigs have a relatively small lung capacity and some pigs will large bellies are especially at risk for overheating. Be extra diligent about keeping your pig as cool as possible on hot days. Owners of very young or old pigs are also most susceptible to overheating. You will need to ensure these pigs have a spot to cool down like a shaded area or structure with a fan.
Prevention- Pigs need fresh, clean water at all times to keep cool and comfy in warm weather. As the heat spikes during the day, so does your pig's demand for water. If you must keep your pig outside, provide shelter and shade for both your pig and the water bowl, and secure the bowl to prevent it from getting knocked over. Many love to swim or wade in water; keep a kiddie pool or tub filled with clean water in the pig's play area -- it can help your pig chill out on a toasty day. Ensure this cooling off area is also in the shade to the water doesn't get hot. Exercise your pig in the cool early hours of the day or late at night when temperatures drop. Most importantly, never leave your pig in the car on a warm day. Outside temperatures may be 80 degrees, but the temperature inside the car -- even with the windows cracked -- can reach 100 degrees or more in a short period of time. A good rule of thumb is temperatures over 90 degrees can be dangerous for any animal to stay outside when they're not acclimated to that kind of weather.
Treatment- If your pig is suffering from being overheated, get him out of the sun and into shade or an air-conditioned room immediately. The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advises owners to soak towels in cool water and place them over the animal's back, or soak the pet in a tub filled with cool water. Do not immerse your pig in ice water, as this can lead to shock. As soon as the pig begins to cool down, rush him to the vet. You can put alcohol on the hooves, use a bag of frozen peas in the groin and neck areas area and wrap the legs in cool damp cloths as well to attempt to cool the core temperature to a manageable level. Hydrating them super quick can overwhelm the neurological system, drinking large amounts of water very rapidly can cause swelling in the brain, seizures and ultimately death as well. So be sure fresh water is always accessible to your pig to avoid these kind of complications altogether.
Complications from overheating can quickly turn into heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Symptoms of serious heat-related illness include lethargy, extreme panting, disorientation, profuse salivation or vomiting, seizures and unconsciousness. Organs can shut down and blood may fail to clot. See your veterinarian immediately, as this condition is an absolute emergency. Heatstroke can be fatal.
Breed and Age Considerations- Short-nose animals in general have a more difficult time cooling the air through their nasal cavity and are considered to be inefficient panters. Pigs have a relatively small lung capacity and some pigs will large bellies are especially at risk for overheating. Be extra diligent about keeping your pig as cool as possible on hot days. Owners of very young or old pigs are also most susceptible to overheating. You will need to ensure these pigs have a spot to cool down like a shaded area or structure with a fan.
Prevention- Pigs need fresh, clean water at all times to keep cool and comfy in warm weather. As the heat spikes during the day, so does your pig's demand for water. If you must keep your pig outside, provide shelter and shade for both your pig and the water bowl, and secure the bowl to prevent it from getting knocked over. Many love to swim or wade in water; keep a kiddie pool or tub filled with clean water in the pig's play area -- it can help your pig chill out on a toasty day. Ensure this cooling off area is also in the shade to the water doesn't get hot. Exercise your pig in the cool early hours of the day or late at night when temperatures drop. Most importantly, never leave your pig in the car on a warm day. Outside temperatures may be 80 degrees, but the temperature inside the car -- even with the windows cracked -- can reach 100 degrees or more in a short period of time. A good rule of thumb is temperatures over 90 degrees can be dangerous for any animal to stay outside when they're not acclimated to that kind of weather.
Treatment- If your pig is suffering from being overheated, get him out of the sun and into shade or an air-conditioned room immediately. The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advises owners to soak towels in cool water and place them over the animal's back, or soak the pet in a tub filled with cool water. Do not immerse your pig in ice water, as this can lead to shock. As soon as the pig begins to cool down, rush him to the vet. You can put alcohol on the hooves, use a bag of frozen peas in the groin and neck areas area and wrap the legs in cool damp cloths as well to attempt to cool the core temperature to a manageable level. Hydrating them super quick can overwhelm the neurological system, drinking large amounts of water very rapidly can cause swelling in the brain, seizures and ultimately death as well. So be sure fresh water is always accessible to your pig to avoid these kind of complications altogether.
Complications from overheating can quickly turn into heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Symptoms of serious heat-related illness include lethargy, extreme panting, disorientation, profuse salivation or vomiting, seizures and unconsciousness. Organs can shut down and blood may fail to clot. See your veterinarian immediately, as this condition is an absolute emergency. Heatstroke can be fatal.
There are smaller AC/heating units that can easily be used for smaller structures like piggy houses that can help keep your pig cool in the summer and warm in the winter. these units are smaller than the average household unit, but large enough to keep a small pet house heated and cooled. They range from about 300.00 and up and can be found online. http://www.climaterightair.com/applications/outdoor-dog-house-air-conditioner-and-heater.html
We have a separate section on the website about house design, click here to read more about outside housing ideas.
We have a separate section on the website about house design, click here to read more about outside housing ideas.
Reducing the Risk for Heat Related Tragedies
Every summer, tragedy strikes with the heat. Once, while we were at the vets on a hot day, three calls came in for overheated pigs. Sadly, one did not survive. At our sanctuary with 150 pigs, we have had some pigs overheat from mild fence fighting with each other or from going out too far into the pasture when it was cool and then having a difficult time getting back when it became much hotter outside. Pigs will stay in houses because it is what they are used to - even when the heat becomes deadly. Mud holes or pools not in the shade will become too hot as well. Pigs have been found dead in their hot mud holes. As smart as they are, their stubbornness to stick to a routine can be their demise.
• provide shade to any outdoor pig. Even if they are only out for a few minutes. Pigs in barns will often need a fan. A misting fan can be a lifesaver.
• all pigs can overheat but heavy pigs may not be able to withstand even a small amount of exertion on a hot day. Limit their activity or leave them inside with AC.
• medically comprised pigs may have even more difficulty regulating temps and may overheat while others are fine. We have had pigs overheat in the car at night with the AC on full blast while transporting to vet. Humidity is a huge factor.
• cover any mud holes or pools with shade such as a shade structure.
• if pig does become overheated, cool immediately by providing cool water or mud holes, running water from hose, rubbing alcohol on the hooves, a misting fan or just a fan, bags of frozen peas behind ears, underarms, under back legs. Pack them with items that are cold. Cool water enemas can lower core temp. Regardless of the method used to cool them down, it can take a long time to recover.
• if hosing with cool water, you may want to start on legs and get them gradually used to the water.
If you have outdoor pigs, please check on them frequently. These things can happen quickly and if they do, minutes matter.
Written by Lorelei Pullman of Ranger's Refuge At Gallastar (Pig Rescue in Northern Virginia)
• provide shade to any outdoor pig. Even if they are only out for a few minutes. Pigs in barns will often need a fan. A misting fan can be a lifesaver.
• all pigs can overheat but heavy pigs may not be able to withstand even a small amount of exertion on a hot day. Limit their activity or leave them inside with AC.
• medically comprised pigs may have even more difficulty regulating temps and may overheat while others are fine. We have had pigs overheat in the car at night with the AC on full blast while transporting to vet. Humidity is a huge factor.
• cover any mud holes or pools with shade such as a shade structure.
• if pig does become overheated, cool immediately by providing cool water or mud holes, running water from hose, rubbing alcohol on the hooves, a misting fan or just a fan, bags of frozen peas behind ears, underarms, under back legs. Pack them with items that are cold. Cool water enemas can lower core temp. Regardless of the method used to cool them down, it can take a long time to recover.
• if hosing with cool water, you may want to start on legs and get them gradually used to the water.
If you have outdoor pigs, please check on them frequently. These things can happen quickly and if they do, minutes matter.
Written by Lorelei Pullman of Ranger's Refuge At Gallastar (Pig Rescue in Northern Virginia)