The time to organize your pig's records is NOW. When your pig is sick, most pig parents are panic stricken and not able to remember details that may alter the treatment plan. Get your pig's records in order now and be prepared should your pig become sick or get injured and you need to remember small things that you can't. Things like this have happened to us all, it's common to forget the time your pig usually urinates when your pig has a fever of 105. Prepare BEFORE there is an emergency and keep a pig journal to keep track of things like that which may be helpful later on. Have a vet that sees (preferably specializes) in pigs and have a back up plan. Pigs do not typically get sick Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, they get sick on nights, weekends and holidays! (Murphy's Law)
If you have a vet and your vet has someone filling in for them, make sure that person is knowledgeable about pigs. If their backup person isn't, YOU need to find a backup vet that IS. Click here to view our vet map.
If you have a vet and your vet has someone filling in for them, make sure that person is knowledgeable about pigs. If their backup person isn't, YOU need to find a backup vet that IS. Click here to view our vet map.
How to prepare for the phone call or vet appointment
The information you provide your vet determines how illnesses or unusual behavior will be treated. Your description of the problem will also likely determine how soon your pig will be seen. When your pig is sick, sometimes important details are omitted and your vet has to probe and ask multiple questions to gain the insight they need to make a diagnosis and treatment plan. This form below can also help you when you are calling your veterinarian when your pig may not feel that great. Having this information in front of you can prompt you to let them know specific details that may determine how quickly your vet needs to see your pig. Make several copies and place on your refrigerator for easy access. You should have a file for your pig, any time you fill one of these out, be sure to add it to your pigs health file for future reference. (There is a printable PDF file listed below) If there are specific areas of concern, take pictures, let your vet see exactly what your are seeing. If you pig is behaving oddly, take a video so your vet can witness firsthand what you are referring to. They only know what they can see. Help the medical team see what you are seeing by capturing it in a way so they are able to understand what you're seeing in the home setting. Some vets will allow you to email them pictures or videos and/or questions, having these additional things available can help your vet come to a conclusion and/or diagnosis sooner and allow for treatment to take place much sooner increasing your pigs chances of survival for illnesses that can be life threatening.
This is NOT a great picture of the forms, but if you click on the PDF download below, you can download an original that is much cleaner and easier to read. This picture was added just so you can see what the forms look like.
Make several copies so you can have them on hand when your pig is sick.
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Basic Pig Information Record
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