When rescuing, it is important to recognize the signs of illness, disease, or injury. You may notice these signs in your existing herd or in a new rescue intake. Quickly assessing the symptoms will enable you to isolate the pig to avoid further disease spread or injury while scheduling a veterinary appointment. If you find signs of illness with a new intake, ensure proper quarantine protocol is followed. Transmitting illness or disease to your current herd may have devastating and expensive consequences. One of the first clues to a pig’s illness is reluctance to eat. A pig that does not eat is usually a very sick pig!
For veterinarian recommended quarantine procedures, click here.
For emergency medical care until you can contact your veterinarian, click here.
SIGNS OF ILLNESS OR INJURY
Behavior:
Lethargic
Weak
Excessive scratching
Trembling
Shaking or shivering
Seizures
Uncoordinated or unsteady
Sudden blindness
Circling
Head tilted
Locomotor changes
Tissue prolapse
Hernia
Neurological symptoms
Gastrointestinal:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lack of appetite
Blood in urine or feces
Loose bowels
Yellow diarrhea in piglets
Constipation or lack of bowel movements
Excessive drinking
Excessive or sudden inappropriate urination
Straining to defecate or urinate
Eyes:
Yellow, green or thick discharge
Swollen inner eyelids
Redness, irritation or injury
Sticky eyelashes
Ears:
Head tilt
Head shaking
Foul smell
Painful when touched
Mouth and Nose:
Yellow or green discharge
Deformed nose
Pale gums
Red gums
Trouble eating, chewing
Altered respiration (labored breathing, shallow breathing, rapid breathing, wheezing, crackly breathing)
Coughing
Sneezing
Skin:
Lesions
Lacerations
Blisters
Sunburn
Redness, hair loss, sores
Rashes
Excessively dry skin
Excessive scratching
Lumps
Scabs
Bruises or spotting
Crawling bugs
Crusty or oozing skin
Greasy with brown
Color change – pale or blue
Other:
Enlarged lymph nodes
Sudden lameness or limping
Sudden death
Swollen joints
Vaginal discharge intact (females)
Swollen red precupice (males)
Rectal temperature below 99 or above 102
Causes:
Injury
Parasites
Bacteria
Viruses
Yeast
Fungus
Nutritional deficiencies
Dehydration
Salt toxicity water deprivation
Toxic foods, plants, substances
Temperature – heat or cold
Genetic abnormalities
Overgrown hooves
Environment