Potbellied pig owners may have cause for concern. Porcine stress syndrome (PSS), a potentially life-threatening genetic disease, thought only to affect commercial swine, has recently been found in the genes of at least one potbellied pig. PSS is a syndrome of acute death, and signs may include progressive breathing problems,…
In swine destined for human consumption, veterinarians correctly stress that the ham muscles are not to be used for injection because any lesions in this area will reduce the value of a major portion of the pork carcass. The neck muscles and subcutaneous areas behind the ears and the lose…
“Duke” had been anorexic for about a month. He was defecating some and drinking a little water. He was evaluated at the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Center and our initial exam showed a normal looking geriatric potbellied pig with normal temperature, elevated respiratory rate (from car ride and handling)…
NOVEMBER, 2000 As you read in Part I, The Duchess Fund has recently received medical records on two purebred potbellied pigs involving Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS). PSS is also known as “Malignant Hyperthermia”. CASE A – CONFIRMED (Case #000196 – Duchess Fund Medical Database) A pig expired on the table…
BY: BRUCE LAWHORN, DVM, MS NOVEMBER, 2002 Any feeding strategy for the pbp should furnish adequate nutrition by a balanced ration and prevent excess weight gain. Although sizes and weights of mature pbps may vary greatly, generally speaking, the heaviest mature weight for even the largest frame pbp of today…
The Duchess Fund recently has received medical reports on two purebred potbellied pigs from registered stock involving Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS). PSS is also known as “Malignant Hyperthermia”. CASE A – CONFIRMED (Case #000196 – Duchess Fund Medical Database) The first case was in July, 2000 when a pig expired…
Pigs understand physical correction very well. After all, this is how they naturally establish dominance between each other. The correction described below has been used on many pigs with great and lasting success. The correction is not an overnight miracle cure, it takes time, consistency and effort — but it…
Weight control instead of weight gain is the focus when feeding pet pigs. Because pigs love to eat, they are prone to becoming overweight. It is our job as pet pig owners to control our pig’s food intake providing the correct diet as well as amount fed. Food consumption must…
Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most important diseases in the domestic swine industry. As the name implies, PRRS causes reproductive and respiratory disease. PRRS actually is a new worldwide swine disease that was not even recognized before the late 1980s. The disease pattern in domestic swine…
The aggressive pig has become a real problem for many pig owners. Seldom does a week go by that I don’t get a call asking for help with a biting pig. Although my method has lasting success, the longer the behavior goes on, the harder and longer it takes to…
