tag:www.allanimalsvets.com,2009-09-10:/free-pet-info/6 2010-04-09T20:21:38Z Movable Type Pro 4.31-en tag:www.allanimalsvets.com,2010:/free-pet-info//6.58 2010-04-09T19:53:31Z 2010-04-09T20:21:38Z

Staff
While you can certainly learn to empty these sacs yourself, due to the stinky, messy nature of the job most people opt to have our qualified staff do the dirty deed for them.  There are 2 methods.  Externally a rag or tissue is held up to the anus and both sides of the anal area are squeezed.  If the secretion is very pasty, this method may be inadequate to empty the sacs.  The second method is internal.  A lubricated gloved finger is inserted in the anus and the sac is squeezed between the thumb and forefinger into a tissue held externally.  The full gland feels like a grape and the emptying procedure is repeated on the opposite side.

If an impacted sac does not get emptied an abscess can form and rupture out through the skin.  This is a painful, messy and smelly condition often mistaken for rectal bleeding.  If an abscess forms it must be treated properly by one of our veterinarians and antibiotics are prescribed.  Many people ask how often the sacs should be emptied.  This is a highly individual situation.  They can be checked when you bring your pet in for grooming or regular check ups if no symptoms are present.  If symptoms occur it is best to bring your pet in right away.  If your pet has persistent problems with scooting a high fiber diet can help.  Talk to your vet to find out which one is right for your pet.


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Vaccinations
We recommend the following for non-breeding pot bellied pigs:
-Erysiples
-Tetanus
-Rabies

The Erysipleas and Tetanus vaccines should be given to piglets between 8-10 weeks of age, repeated at 12-16 weeks of age and then annually.  These diseases are very real concerns for both commercial and pet pigs - even if they are not in contact with other pigs.  The rabies vaccine is recommended to be given as a public health preventative.  Some countries require it, some do not.

Nutrition
There are many brands of pig diets available.  We recommend Mazuri Mini Pig Diet.  This can be found at your local feed store.  Piglet starter should be fed freely to piglets up to 8 weeks of age.  It can be mixed into mild replacer starting at 4 weeks of age.  Pigs wean at 6 weeks of age.  Pigs require vitamin E injections at weaning, once to twice weekly. 

Switch pig over to pig grower from 8 weeks to 1 year.  Mazuri "grower" brand is mini pig youth food.

Switch pig to Mazuri mini pig active adult from 1-6 years.

Switch to Mazuri mini pig elder at 7 years and beyond.

Housing
Pet pigs need housing much like dogs and cats.  We recommend outdoor housing enclosures with access to a warming area in the winter (dog house or "pigloo") with bedding or an electric pig warmer (found at feed stores or online livestock stores) and areas to keep cool in the summer.  Pigloos, shady areas or kiddie pools filled with enough water for the pig to lay in comfortably work well.  Access to plenty of clean, fresh water is a must.  While not conventional, many owners have had success keeping their pigs as indoor pets.  They can be housebroken with training, but you must be vigilant to prevent electrocution from biting electrical cords, avoid choking hazards and prevent impact injuries from jumping on/off furniture.  They are very smart and innovative when it comes to finding ways to get into trouble!

Health Issues
OBESITY is the most common ailment to plague mini pigs.  It often leads to arthritis, heart disease and overall loss of quality of life.  Unless breeding or kept active mini pigs require very little food to sustain a healthy body weight.  Avoid high calorie, fattening treats.  Instead choose healthy fruits and vegetables such as: carrots, apples, grapes and green beans.  Be sure they are given in small quantity and your pig is supervised as large pieces can become choking hazards.
REPRODUCTIVE CANCER - unspayed sows are very susceptible to cancer of the reproductive organs.  We recommend you spay your female mini pig at an early age (before 6 months) to avoid excessive fat deposition and reduce anesthetic risk.  We also recommend neutering male mini pigs.
HEART DISEASE - Mini pigs may be born with or develop heart disease.  Annual heart health exams are recommended.
ENTROPIAN or infolding of the eyelids is a genetic abnormality in which the eyelashes fold into the cornea.  This is correctable with surgery.
OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS - Ingesting items that cause G.I. blockage, bladder/kidney stones, arthritis, hoof disease, sunburn, sarcpotic mange, among other issues.  We recommend annual wellness exams to prevent or manage diseases.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the well being of your mini pig.  We look forward to helping you keep your pet pig happy and healthy for years to come! 


  
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Staff
Even if your pet is microchipped with a different brand you may still enroll in the HomeAgain program.  More than 6.5 million pets are enrolled in HomeAgain and so far over 600,000 have been reunited with their owners.  There are many reasons pets become lost and ID tags can easily become hard to read or lost themselves.  HomeAgain is the only permanent identification.
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