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Identifying An Ill Pig

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