When Should I Call A Veterinarian?
You know your pig better than anyone. The information your Veterinarian will
need when you call is Name, Sex, intact/neutered, age and weight. You will
need to tell the Vet exactly what the pig’s medical
symptoms and condition are, the reason you are calling
and if there have been any recent changes in the pig’s
condition. How the pig is eating and drinking is also
important information. Your Vet may ask how the pig is
eliminating and the consistency of stools and the urine’s
appearance. It is a good idea to have your pig’s
respiration rate and temperature available. To take a
pig’s temperature use a lubricated rectal thermometer
and insert it into the pig’s rectum. Should your pig
exhibit any of the following symptoms it is time to call your Veterinarian.
Difficulty breathing or irregular respiration – too fast, too slow,
Normal respiration 10 – 20 per minute
Rapid pulse/heart rate
Normal pulse rate 58 – 86 per minute
Low or Elevated Temperature – under 100 or over 105
Normal temperature 102 – 103.6 F
Acting aggressively
Persistent vomiting for more than 24 hours, especially if yellow
Not eating for more than 24 hours
Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
Constipation for more than 48 hours
Lying down and not wanting to get up for more than 8 hours
Persistent Lameness, not wanting to get up, inability to walk on all four legs
Painful abdomen
Persistent bleeding
Blood in stool
Seen eating something poisonous
Toxic Plants, Antifreeze, Arsenic, Chemicals, Rodent Poisons, Chocolate,
Drugs, to much Salt, blue/green Algae, Lead by ingesting lead based
products, Zinc by ingesting zinc based products and Pennies.
Seen eating something obstructive
Rubber Bands, Plastic Bags (vegetable, grocery), string
Heatstroke
Broken Bones, Dislocations
Electric Shock
Deep Puncture, Large Open Wound
© Kathleen Myers 2000, All Rights Reserved Worldwide
By Kathleen Myers.
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