there is no doubt that technology has come a long way from when I was a child. I was thrilled when pagers came out and having the pretty baby blue Motorolla one was all the rage! Shoot, it's 2015, shouldn't we all have hover boards by now Marty!? With everything you can do online and in social media today, there are certainly "two-sides to every coin." There is so much to learn, see, get involved in and new friends within specific social circles, to be made! But on the flip side, we remove the human element. We can't see facial expressions, express real/raw emotion in tone and most importantly, we really need to be careful what we chose to believe! This can be a blanket statement for all aspects of the Internet. It is truly amazing what we have been able to produce in the age of technology and how quickly we are able to advance, but it is also unbelievably terrifying what we as humans are capable of from the security of our homes and behind a keyboard! Alas, the Internet is full of bad and misguided information, flat out deceptive lies to hurt people, malicious individuals and inappropriate internet behavior and etiquette. We have entered the digital age of "keyboard warriors." I mean really, why should everyone care what is truth, lies or hurtful if at the end of the day you can hide behind a computer alias locked away in your home? The Internet and social media can be a dangerous playground and as always, you should proceed with caution.

One tragic problem we have created in the digital age is running to the Internet and social media groups for medical advice. I know, I may get a lot of flack for this one but it's reality folks. This can be said about human medicine and veterinary medicine alike. There are numerous story's out there of children who have died because parents sought advice and were told on the Internet that, "it wasn't a big deal and it would clear on its own!" That or: "Do this and use that and it will be cured!" I see this trend growing daily in pet groups as well. It's wonderful to have these groups to share our cute pictures, stories and experiences with each other and our community, but it is flat out irresponsible to be seeking or offering major veterinary advice to your peers if you lack a PhD behind your name. We all have experiences but remember, all our experiences aren't the same and we are all unique individuals with different outside elements coming in to play. We cannot and will not know all the variables in someone or a pets situation. We have to quit acting like we know it all! We are not all magically "Internet doctors" with "internet PhD's" just because we had an experience. This is a dangerous plight and one that can even end people in legal battles. The Internet community instead, needs to help refer people and pets back to their licensed medical specialists for proper diagnosis and treatment. You may have a good general idea and of course we all want to share our experiences but at the end of the day, if it isn't a minor issue, always refer back to a doctor. Again, Of course there are minor issues that possibly can be addressed (my pet got stung by a bee, has minor skin irritation, didn't poop today, is this normal behavior...etc) but if there is ever a gut feeling ask yourself: "Ten years ago would I have polled the Internet for this or would I have gone to my doctor or vet's office?" If you find yourself responding with the the later... Do everyone a favor and GET OFF SOCIAL MEDIA AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION, for you or your pets immediately!

What always gets me is how quickly people take to social media to get a diagnosis. Why? If the answer is lack of money or in human medicine, insurance, can you get on government assistance or social welfare programs till you can get back on your feet? If you don't have the money and it's a pet, sincerely ask yourself if pet ownership is the responsible thing for you right now. Just because you are in a difficult time now, you wont always be; remember that! Even rescuing an animal just to bring it in to another financially depleted situation is not good. You are doing yourself and your pet a disservice. With pets and children, you have to be responsible! Put away money and learn to save or have a credit card with a zero balance stashed away for a rainy day. If you can't be financially responsible, should you own a pet? The answer is probably no, wait till you are in a better place. Quite frankly, we are all exhausted of seeing GoFundMe accounts for every animal or bad situation you run in to. Remember buying the pet isn't the expensive part of the journey, the maintenance and healthcare is. Not owning a pet and learning your limits shows strength and grace and puts you in a better frame of mind for when you are finally ready to make that leap. Being mindful and understanding another living beings needs and financial responsibility, is a paramount attribute of ownership. We all hit a rough spots in life but what defines us is how we humbly get back up and fight on without taking advantage of others and being responsible for our short comings. Don't be the person always soliciting major medical advice on the Internet, be responsible and find a doctor or veterinarian who you can establish a face to face, patient relationship with and know you are being taken care of. Sure, some veterinarians might not be a good match for your pets needs but at least it's better than anyone on the Internet can boast of, especially for legal reasons.

For those that just love to dish out the information and play doctor, take warning. That is not good social media etiquette, especially in public places. Always do your best to convince a friend or community member to seek licensed medical advise. It's just the right thing to do. Can you imagine the guilt you will have to live with if you have bad information and it cost a pet its life? That's a heavy burden no one should have to bear. There is a difference from sharing an experience that may be similar in nature but referring them to a doctor in the end, and giving out advice like you suddenly have a Facebook PhD. Don't fall in to that trap! Learn to steer others in the right and ethical direction or steer clear of the situation entirely. People who are not doctors, yet post radical opinions on Facebook, are doing so not to be helpful but to simply stroke their own egos. Just because you read an article on some rogue blog, does not make you a medical expert!

Just remember, there is such a thing as Internet etiquette and we need to be, not only respectful to others, but diligent in not spreading misguided information. If you want to post and discuss politics and sports team predictions/opinions, go for it; those are always up for debate! But finding every feed to give medical advice on is just wrong and inappropriate unless you are a licensed doctor. Do not claim any authority about medical issues when you have no professional knowledge to support it. When you provide myth and hearsay as “fact,” they can be easily shared and misinterpreted. What's worse, it can cause others to follow your misguided lead, resulting in serious medical problems. Experience won't make you an MD, a degree does. If you want one, go and earn it. But let me guarantee you this... After you finally put in the time and dedication to obtain a doctorate, you won't want anything to do with constantly giving advise on social media. You will also know that without an established patient relationship, you risk your medical license. For a licensed vet that is currently a heated debate with the state board of veterinary medical examiners.

For further reading on Online Veterinary Medical Advise follow this link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/06/15/vet-restructed-from-giving-advice-underscores-national-telemedicine-debate/

Does the video above seem all too familiar? Have you experienced Dippity Pig or have you made your way here to find some information and hope for relief? Rest assured, you are not alone and "Dippity" is a very common ailment in pot belly pigs!

I want to start with addressing that the etiology (cause) of Dippity Pig is unknown. This disease has simply not been studied or tested enough to make a scientific conclusion about it's origins in those individuals that are affected; and not every pig is affected. However, there are a few things I would like to point out before advancing. One, Dippity Pig Syndrome has only been confirmed in the Pot Belly Pig or mixed breeds that include pot bellies in them; which is a large number of the smaller pig varieties these days! Even most Juliana's have some strain of pot belly in them. We have not seen this exact disease in commercial swine yet. We have seen skin lesions in commercial breeds but most of the time this is due to feed sensitivities or sunburn. In my personal opinion, I believe this disease goes back to continuous inbreeding and early breeding practices of the pot belly breed. I feel that if enough research was done, we would ultimately find this a genetic defect within certain family lines. Two, Although vets tend also use the term "Erythema Multiforme" interchangeably with Dippty, I do not agree with that decision and neither do some other veterinarians I have had personal conversations with. Erythema multiforme is originally a human skin disease characterized by lesions and is a specific hypersensitivity reaction to other diseases. This term can be used JUST for the skin lesions on the pig but if we are to describe the disease as a whole, which encompasses both the integumentary and nervous system, it needs to be referred to the correct term in swine, which is Dippity Pig Syndrome. Last, the disease seems to present much like the herpes virus/shingles in humans: it is only present in certain individuals and lies dormant until triggered by external stimuli or perceived stress.

What triggers the sudden onset of the disease? There are many different things that can trigger the classic symptoms of Dippity Pig. It has not officially been noted as to what the exact triggers are but as a community, we have a pretty good general idea. Stress is the main trigger. Stress can take on many different forms and meanings to each individual; its purely subjective. Sunburns, moving to a new home or location, introduction of new pets, loud noises, diet changes and even thunderstorms have all been acknowledged in triggering the acute attacks. Dippity Pig is primarily seen in pigs under the age of 2 years and even more so in pigs under a year. It is extremely rare to see it in an older pig. Usually we only see a pig get the disease once and it never returns. There are however instances where the pig may come down with Dippity several times on separate occasions, if it is still under the age of 2 years.

What are the symptoms of Dippity Pig? Some pigs will display only the bleeding/oozing lesions on the back, which can also be commonly referred to as "Bleeding Back Syndrome." Furthermore, some will only display the extreme behavior of the disease. However, it is typically expressed as both the classic sores on the back AND the behavior: dipping of the back, refusal to be touched at all, screaming very loudly (like being attacked), acting like they are in extreme pain and even what appears to be paralysis or dragging of the hind legs.

Rest assured though, the symptoms of Dippity Pig do not last long and the disease is self limiting. The pig should heal, display normal behavior and make a full recovery in 24-72 hours or less. There is no treatment that will cure it, so all we can do is treat the symptoms and try to make the pig as comfortable as possible during the episodes.

What can we do to comfort the pig? The first thing and most important thing to do is remove your pig from the perceived stress and in to a small dimly lit or dark room. Keep them away from people and try to leave them alone to simply be. Give them a soft bed and make sure they are calm and resting as much as possible. To relax the pig and help it rest, you can administer Benadryl (diphenhydramine), 1mg per pound, every 8 hours. For pain you can give them buffered aspirin, 5mg per pound, every 12 hours OR Tylenol 5mg per pound, every 8 hours. You can also use Children's Liquid Tylenol at 1cc per 6 pounds. With all these options, only use them up to 3 days and you MUST feed them with food otherwise your pig may get an upset stomach. In extreme cases, you can go to your vet and they may administer cortisone shots as an anti-inflammatory and Tramadol or Buprenex for pain. If there is not an improvement in symptoms within 4 days or your pig starts to run a fever over 103 degrees, take them to the veterinarian immediately!

Dippity pig syndrome can be a very intense period for both you and your pig. Many owners get frantic and reiterate how scary experiencing this can be. We get a lot of questions about it emailed to us on a weekly basis. Our best advise is to keep a calm and level head for both you and your pigs sanity. If you take a deep breathe and realize that this too shall pass, you will be better equipped to help and assist your pig through this difficult disease.

Please visit our website page on Pig Diseases, for further reading on Dippity Pig Syndrome. To be directed there, click on these highlighted sentences.

So I have to spill the beans... I am in love with Diatomaceous Earth and have been for years! Many people will look at me funny when I refer to it by it's official name, as it also commonly goes by plain ole' DE. It's abbreviation is surely easier to remember! Who knew that microscopic fossilized water plants (algae) could create a sedimentary mineral compound from it's skeletal remains, which are called diatoms. These amazing little plants have been part of the Earth's ecology since prehistoric times. These diatoms are harvested and ground up to a powder that resembles and feels like talcum powder. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural compound and nontoxic to all animals except insects. People even eat it and add it to their diets, so rest assured, it is even safe for human consumption!

There are a few different types of DE, they vary based on the way in which they are processed/treated, and I specifically use FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth ONLY! I warn of this because not all DE is edible! Some variants are used in industrial filtration systems, dynamite and things you would never want around your home or animals. The industrial grade DE is heated in order to form the crystals that make is very abrasive. if ingested or inhaled, industrial DE can cause some serious damage to your body or lungs, so make SURE to get FOOD GRADE.

I have always personally, used DE for many things on the farm! However, I most commonly administer it to my pet pigs as a natural pesticide and insect deterrent. I sprinkle it in their food, inside their enclosures and bedding, and even offer them a dust bath and brush it on to their skin/hair. For pink pigs that commonly suffer "eye rust" and other unsightly skin issues, DE can work wonders (coupled with proper biannual deworming practices, for swine that means using Ivermectin in the fall and spring). My pink pigs rarely ever suffer from eye rust or nasty skin issues when consistently offering them DE. It can also help with flaky, itchy and dry skin.

There are many other amazing uses for DE and although this is a pet pig blog, I feel that I should clue you in on how amazing this stuff really is and not limit our discussion to just pet pigs. Let me list out some things that DE works well on:

*Fleas: Dust your carpet, pet bedding, baseboards and any other cracks in the home. You can also dust your pets coat/hair/skin.

*Bedbugs: Take apart the bed and thoroughly dust the mattress, frame and all the cracks in the room.

*Flies: Thoroughly dust areas in which flies are frequent: walls, bedding and manure collection areas. Can also be applied to all livestock coats as a natural fly repellent.

*Carpet Beetles: Dust along all carpets and flooring, baseboards, under furniture, closets, all rugs and even shelving.

*Mites: Works especially well on chicken mites. Dust the coop, nests, housing, laying boxes and even set a large pan of it out for the chickens to dust themselves with (oh and they will do it voluntarily)!

It's nice to also report that many zoos have experimented with DE and it has proven very successful in providing the animals with healthier coats, cleaner and more clear eyes and their internal parasite load was smaller while administered routinely in the diet.

What other pests can DE conquer? The list is amazing! Here we go: sawfly, aphids, earwig, silverfish, ants, slugs/snails, twig borer, thrips, all mites, lice, spiders, crickets, cockroaches, coddling moth, fruit flies, pill bugs, ticks and even gnats. There are actually too many insects to list but there are a few of the most commonly seen varieties. If it has an exoskeleton, it can kill it!

So how does it work? Diatomaceous Earth is not poisonous and it doesn't have to be eaten to be effective. DE will cause an insects exoskeleton to dry up and die by absorbing the oils and fats within the skeleton's cuticle. It is abrasive to the insect, which helps kill it more quickly.

Like mentioned earlier, even people add DE to their diets! Many believe that it has benefits both externally and internally. Some of those health benefits include: hair, nails, skin, teeth, ligaments, joints, bones, cartilage, muscles and even aids in bowel movements. Did you know DE is also used in beer filtering because it doesn't compromise its body, color and flavor? Most toothpaste boasts it as well.

Although there are many uses for DE and quite frankly I think it is the most cheap and easy answer to pests on the farm and in the home, you still need to use caution and avoid inhaling it, even the food grade. It is a fine powder that can agitate the airways. Some people it bothers and some it doesn't, if you have allergies or tend to be more sensitive, I recommend using a cheap mask. Can be a medical mask or those found for woodworking or shops. Seriously though, if you haven't been blessed enough to have DE in your life yet, I recommend jumping on the wagon! You wont be disappointed!

~Visit the official animal DE supplier Red Lake Earth at: http://www.redlakeearth.com/red-lake-diatomaceous-earth-us.html


~Visit the official food grade Diatomaceous Earth website to learn more about it and its many uses: https://www.diatomaceousearth.com

*DISCLAIMER: Any food grade diatomaceous earth uses other than those approved by the EPA, FDA, or USDA are strictly based on what others reportedly have tried themselves. The information contained within is not intended as a substitute for a veterinarian’s advice, nor is it a substitute for your best judgment.

Let’s just get it out of the way from the start... the descriptive terms to describe a pigs size are merely that, descriptive terms created by breeders. They are not a specific breed of pig nor are they an accurate description of how big your pig will or wont get. You should immediately turn away from any breeder or person that tries to convince you otherwise. We could go on and on about the “Pig Size Myth” but there have already been blogs and websites dedicated to that topic alone! We will also briefly explore it later in our questions. We want to now focus on the attributes and lifestyles of the human and their family that would make a good candidate for pet pig ownership. Can you answer all these questions honestly and feel comfortable with your answers to each one? Of course you may not meet them all but there are simply some that you cannot ignore or pass over! We want to see you as prepared as possible and ready to tackle your new adventures!

1) Are you zoned correctly to have a pet pig?

Remember, pigs are still classified in most areas as livestock and thus, may not be allowed within your city limits. Even in some more rural areas you need to make sure that your land is properly zoned for swine because surprisingly enough, some livestock are allowed in certain areas while others are not. You will need to call your specific city ordinance office to find this information out; this number will be different for every city and county. So do an online search for your specific county and make sure to document who you spoke to and when. Be aware that city laws and regulations can change from year to year and you need to always have proper documentation on whom you spoke to when you initially brought your pig home. This will alleviate any confusion if regulations do manage to change. If they do, you can usually resolve most disputes easily because your animal would be grandfathered in on an older or prior ordinance. If you don’t first make sure that you are zoned correctly before bringing piggy home, you may end up with a lot of heart ache and legal battles in order to try and fight the city to keep your pet. Just look up these legal battles, they are all over the news and Facebook! There are still many places out there that do NOT classify pigs as pets or “companion animals.” Worst case scenario, you will be forced to get rid of your piggy because the city will take them from you. This is one of the major causes of abandoned or rehomed pet pigs. Don’t be another statistic or put your pet in danger of being taken away!

Along with proper zoning, if you live in any type of housing community, you MUST first get the permission of the housing community. If you bring your pig home because the city said it was ok but your community has different bylaws, you will still end up in a heap of trouble and stress. Always check with your community’s board of directors or those that may be in charge of HOA’s.

Visit our New Pig Parents Page to read up on Zoning and Need to Know Basics by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

2) Were you planning to have a primarily indoor pet pig?

If so, there are some major considerations that must be addressed first! Here at Pet Pig Education we don’t suggest keeping pigs 100% indoors, it tends to lead to many health and behavioral problems. If you were planning on them being primarily indoors, make sure that you can meet all the other required criteria!

    a) Do you own your own home or do you rent a home, apartment or condo?
   
If you rent, chances are that you should NOT own a pet pig. If you rent you MUST have permission of your landlord or rental management company before ever considering a pig as a pet. Even more so than dogs, pigs can and will tear up your home and if you don’t actually own your home and would thus be ultimately responsible for replacing or fixing destroyed structures, you don’t want that potential mess on your plate! (See all the pictures within this blog.) If a landlord allows a tenant to have a pig, both the landlord and tenant need to draw up a pet clause or amendment for the lease that is very specific and an appropriate pet deposit collected in the event your pig wrecks havoc on a rented structure. As much as this may sound like a favorable thing to do to aid the landlord, I promise it will save the tenant a lot of stress, money and heartache in the long run as well! In an ideal situation, a pig owner will always own their own home or farm. We do not recommend pigs as pets for those that live in apartments, condos or rental situations. There are exceptions to the rule but please understand that they are VERY rare situations and the owner met all the other criteria with flying colors.

    b) Do you have the patience of a saint and are willing to easily bestow that amazing trait, on a daily basis, to your indoor pig?

Pigs are naturally destructive (again, see images within the blog), although they don’t see it that way, it’s natural to them. They root, are curious, are always looking for food and their individual temperaments can create a lot of “pig drama” around a home; especially when inside and sharing an indoor living space with humans. Have you ever come across some of the Facebook groups or internet pages dedicated to “Pig Shaming” or as we like to call it, “Swine Scorning?” You may have, and what these funny and creative owners are paying tribute to are their pig companions that have destroyed items in their home or even the home itself. A lot of times, this can be a daily occurrence. They can and will flip over garbage cans to root in them, open refrigerators and eat the food, tear up their beds, tear up human clothes and raid their closets, ruin furniture and walls, chew through wires, rip up tile...the list genuinely goes on. There is nothing that is not “free game” to an indoor pet pig. You need to be very mentally prepared for your pet to display this behavior and what you will do if this situation does arise. Are you going to lose it? Will it be too much to handle with all the other family, job and life issues you have going on? Will you be able to afford to replace said items continuously? Indoor pet pigs can really be a challenge and sometimes when we dote on their every whim too much, we can in turn create even worse behavior problems: Spoiled Pig Syndrome. Yes, it’s a real behavioral problem in indoor pet pigs.

Visit our Pig Behavior Page by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

    c) Do you have a small room that you can initially dedicate to your pet pig where he/she wouldn’t be able to destroy the home and work on potty training techniques?

Although we recommend crate training and teaching your indoor pet pig to use the bathroom outside, much like a dog, you will have to initially start off potty training by keeping your pig confined to a smaller room in your home, not just a crate. Remember, no animal should ever be expected to live in a crate all the time, this is inhumane. This should preferably be a room where they can do less damage and not hurt themselves in the process. A lot of people don’t have the luxury of additional rooms for such a purpose and unless you plan to just let your pet pig run a muck and tear things apart, you should really have a small room to dedicate to them while they learn the ropes. We usually use a smaller guest bathroom or the laundry room/mud room. With the laundry room, one needs to be very sure that the pig cannot get behind or stuck between the washing/drying units. All cords will have to be picked up and put away. Detergents up high and stored. Medicines, locked up tight or removed. Expect potty accidents and many mistakes before they improve or catch on. If you don’t want it destroyed, remove it from the equation!

Visit our Commonly Asked Questions Page to find more on house training by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

3) Do you have an enclosed outside area (not just a cement patio) where your pet can root around and get proper, leash free exercise?

You would be surprised how many people would have to answer no to this question. They either live in condos or in small housing communities that don’t offer decent back yards or any fencing options to contain your pet. This question is a very important one too because it really will affect the overall health and behavior of your animal. Rooting, sifting and digging in the soil with the nose, is a natural and needed behavior for all pigs; It is also how the pig obtains it’s daily iron requirements. Pigs that are not properly exercised or allowed to do some roaming and searching of their own, can become obese and very behaviorally challenged! If your pig can’t get out and meet any of it’s daily needs in a safe and enclosed yard, it is NOT going to be a happy or manageable pet.

4) If you are planning on having outdoor pigs, are you willing to get more than one for companionship purposes?

Pigs always do better in pairs, it’s a fact of life. We always encourage prospective pig parents to buy two pigs of the same sex, from the same litter. This insures that there will be minimal fighting between the two because dominance and proper socialization skills were established as small piglets and they will always have the companionship of a same species friend. It also naturally eliminates most behavior issues seen commonly in indoor pet pigs with spoiled pig syndrome or dominance problems. There are many people that having two pigs will just not work for or the timing just isn’t right. Remember that introducing a new pig to an existing pig later down the road, will come with a whole new set of issues. Pigs that have initially lived alone in a home as a single pet pig, will have to fight it out and establish dominance with a new pig. This is not always ideal and can cause a lot of stress for both owners and the pigs involved. It can be done but it is stressful! Bottom line, if you are planning to keep your pet pigs outdoors or on a farm, we always suggest buying two so they have the proper companionship. This always leads to an overall healthier and mentally happy pet in the long run.

Visit our Pig Behavior page for more details on owning more than one pig, by clicking this highlighted sentence.

5) How much time do you and/or your family have to spend and dedicate to your new pets care? Do you have a full time job that keeps you out of the home or commuting most of the day?

This is a question that is important for all pet parents, regardless of the species. Pets like children, need to have a respectable amount of human interaction on a daily basis; especially at a young age. You would never want someone leaving you or a child locked in a room or crate all day while you went to work. Unlike dogs and even cats, pigs wont do well going to a “doggy daycare” type situation either. If you have someone that can come to the house a few times a day if you have a demanding job, that may work. But remember, your pet wants YOU and it’s own family not some random individual to just check on it a couple times a day. It is also not appropriate to ask a young animal in a potty training phase, to deal with you being at work all day. You are not only setting the animal up for failure but setting yourself up for failure and a messy home. If you do not have the time to dedicate to an inside animal or no one in the family will be at home during the times that you are away, we do NOT recommend a pig! If a dog doesn’t do well on limited interaction because you work a lot, a pig will be 10 times worse! Save yourself and your future pet from all the stress and get a pocket pet that lives in a cage and doesn’t require any or much daily interaction. Only get a pet pig when and if you have an insane amount of free time to dedicate to them or a family member is always at home and can assist. Good examples would be: a work from home job, a stay at home mother with not many kids to disperse time between (your pig will require as much attention as a toddler), a part time worker who has an easy schedule or family members at home when they aren’t, or someone possibly on permanent disability but receiving a steady income, that is looking for a full time companion.

6) Are you and your ENTIRE family prepared to work with/train your pig on a daily basis?

Pigs need daily and constant reminders of who is in charge. They thrive on a structured hierarchical system, where rank and status is paramount for existence. A pig will challenge every individual in the home and even guests that come to visit, for the top hog or alpha position. Aggressive behavior in pet pigs, next to being lied to about adult size, is a MAJOR reason pet pigs are abandoned, given up to shelters, sent to sanctuaries or rescues and even euthanized. If you treat your pig like a cat or dog when it comes to training and behavior... you are in for a rude awakening. Pigs are NOT cats or dogs and will challenge everything you do. Your entire family must be on board to help with training and daily interaction, especially if you plan on having an indoor pet. This is a daunting task, just ask any current pig owner. If you jump in to pet pig ownership and don't fully grasp how a pigs behavior will possibly affect your household, you are essentially putting your family and guests at risk for bodily harm and major frustration.

Visit our page on Pet Pig Behavior & Training by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

7) How much money are you willing to spend to care for your pet, from every day maintenance and feeding to veterinary expenses?

This may sound like a no brainer and you are obviously ready to financially take on the expected every day expenses for your new pet, like food, toys, bowls, brushes, leashes…etc. But what we seldomly think of are the major medical expenses that come with pets and exotic ones at that! Maybe you planned already for a spay or neuter, wonderful, you are a step ahead of most! But what happens when your beloved pet pig has managed to get in to something it shouldn’t and an emergency situation arises? Not only are emergency services more expensive for what are considered "exotic species" but an ER vet may be a very difficult thing to locate in your area. You should expect to pay a lot more for services like these. It is even advisable to look in to Credit Care lines of credit for veterinary services or have one card always put aside with a zero balance for when tragedy does manage to strike. With that said, lets give a small breakdown of what you should financially expect to care for your pet pig. Remember, a healthy pet pig should live between 15-20 years.

Price of the Pig: Anywhere from $50-$3,000
If you go to great lengths and buy from designer breeders, you could pay up to $5,000 plus air travel expenses.

Air Travel: Typically around $200-$350
Make SURE they have a valid health certificate to fly!

Initial Vet Consult: $50-$150
This is your first visit to make sure you have a healthy piglet/pig before bringing them home. This will always depend on the vet you take it to and your geographical location, this is JUST for the vet to see and do a basic exam on your pet. May not include any medication or tests if they find something wrong.

Supplies to Bring Home Prior to Arrival: Estimates can range from $150-$450
This will entirely depend on name brands VS basic care. This should also include an appropriately sized wire or SkyKennel crate for transportation and training. Also includes: first bag of feed, a small to large dog bed (depends on size of pig), bowls (may need two sets), water dishes/pans, pool (if summer time), toys, blankets, litter pan, liter substrate, liter scoop, carpet or floor cleaning supplies, oatmeal shampoo, skin conditioner, brush, hoof trimmers, digital thermometer, Ivomec dewormer, harness, leash, and pet gate for doorway.

See our Pet Products Page here by clicking this highlighted sentence. 

Outdoor Pig Supplies Prior to Arrival: Estimates can range from: $250- Unlimited
If you are planning on building an appropriate outdoor inclosure for your pet pig, you will have MANY options and variations available; the sky is the limit. Many people may keep their piglets in a horse stall to start with, this can cut down on initial costs but not over time. You will need to build an appropriate living space once the piglet has grown, they cannot stay in horse stalls forever. This can include: initial shavings, a dog house or custom built home, fencing material, stabilizing posts, hog gate, bowls for feed and water, a pool (in summer months), pitch fork for cleaning, first bag of feed, digital thermometer, skin conditioner, brush, Diatomaceous Earth (DE), Ivomec dewormer and hoof trimmers.

See our Pet Products Page here by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

Spay or Neuter (first year): Estimate $150-$600
Always expect for a male’s neuter to cost less than a female’s spay procedure. A spay procedure will always be more involved and require more anesthetic because of the time involved cutting through more tissue. You will also need pain medication and a take home pain medication for the days following. This price will fluctuate depending on your geographical location and if you are using an exotic vet VS a predominantly livestock vet. You will ALWAYS need to take these smaller pigs in to a clinic to be operated on, this procedure can never be done in the field regardless of the pigs sex or overall health. Pigs may not respond to the anesthetic well and males can even suffer prolapse, this will have to be immediately dealt with in a medical clinic, not in the field.

Visit our Page on why to Spay & Neuter your pet pig by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

Every Month Feed: Estimate $25-$150
This will obviously depend on a couple variants. One, how many pigs did you get, one or two, or possibly more? Is your pig indoors or outdoors, for possible additional grazing? Are you feeding treats? How much exercise is he/she getting? Are you making a lot of handmade meals for an indoor pig? This will vary from where you live, to what staple feed you chose to buy, to how many pigs you own. This is a safe estimate to go by though.

Visit our Page on Nutrition by clicking this highlighted sentence.

Annual Vet Bills: Estimate $150-$500
This again will depend on all the routine maintenance your pet will need, no two pets will be the exact same. This can vary from geographical location, vets experience and vaccines that may or may not be needed in your area or for licensing purposes. Some people will need to have a vet trim hooves and clean ears, annually or even bi-annually. This will also include a routine annual or bi-annual routine exam. If your pet has a medial condition, you may also need to include the price for maintenance medication and consistent testing.

Annual Expenditures for Basic Repairs/Damage/Replacement Items: $150-$1500
This will all depend on what you chose to replace or repair. We guarantee that your pet pig will destroy something every year that will need to be mended or replaced. That simply depends on if it was a pile of nice clothes in your closet, your fridge, a screen door, or your carpet or wood flooring. If you have an outdoor pig, this could be sprinklers, lawn and garden repairs or even the pigs actual enclosure. Be prepared for it all!

Catastrophe Vet Bills: Estimate $1,000- $10,000 Lifetime
This is huge grey area but you MUST be prepared for it. Pigs get in to EVERYTHING, worse than dogs. You need to expect vet bills for random events. This is where a Care Credit line of credit or a credit card put away with a zero balance for a “rainy day,” will help out a lot. Another option is to look in to pet insurance companies, where you may only pay a copay in a catastrophic event. Remember with insurance, you will have to pay an initial premium or meet a deductible first.

Visit our Pet Insurance Information Page by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

Total: Minimum $15,000
Minimum for a pet pig over it’s lifetime and if it lives a 15-20 year life. This is with just an annual vet visit and lowest cost with no airfare for initial purchase. All categories at their lowest minimums. Although by no means will every pig owner will be forced to pay this amount, mostly due to MANY variables like age the pig was obtained and living arrangements, this is sincerely what you should EXPECT over a lifetime. If you can’t handle that number over 15-20 years, please try and find a more suitable pet.

8) What other pets do you have in your home or on your property that may be coming in to contact on a daily basis, with your pet pig?

Pigs can make poor companions with other animals. They can be very pushy and yet they are prey to many other species. Cats do tend to get along or ignore the pigs well but dogs and pigs are never a good combination. Yes, there is always an exception to the rule but they are rare and should never be outright expected! If you plan to have dogs and pigs you MUST first make sure that your dog is not interested in solely attacking and eating it. Some dogs only have one drive and that is to attack the pig, no matter what you do and how hard you try, you will never take this drive out of your dog. Even the most mild mannered dogs can surprise you! We have had a pig returned because an elderly and mild mannered Shih Tzu was jumping or throwing itself at a baby gate to try and kill the pig, no one ever saw it coming. Even if your dog seems to be doing well with the pig, under no circumstances should you leave them alone. If there is no way for you to NOT leave your pig and dogs alone together in the home while you are away, a pig probably isn’t a good animal for you.

Some livestock and pigs will do well together, this is usually on a case by case basis though and you will need to watch closely and determine what relationships will work. Horses and pigs should rarely ever be left together. Not only because some horses will stomp and kill them easily just due to size difference but pigs can pick on horses, even minis, and cause them a lot of grief if not bodily harm; especially if they have tusks. Some goats do really well with pigs but others may head butt them and need to be removed. It will all depend on each individuals personalities and up to each owners discretion.

Visit our page on Pig Behavior by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

9) Can you find a veterinarian in your area to treat the medical needs of your pet pig?     

There aren’t as many vets that specialize in smaller variations of pigs as one may think  and sometimes livestock vets or small animal vets wont cut it. Before you ever bring your beloved pet pig home, make sure that you have a vet lined up that you are comfortable with, prior. We have known some individuals that never checked on the availability of veterinarians in their area before purchasing a pig and were forced to drive over 250 miles to see their vet! Do not end up that way! Pet Pig Education has the most comprehensive veterinary list available on the web right now. We have personally called hundreds of vets around the nation to ensure they still treat and see miniature variations of pet pigs (as of 2015), there are many imposters out there or others attempting to copy our list, don’t be fooled, start here. So check out our Veterinarian page and call around to make an appointment first.

Visit our Veterinarians page by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

10) Do you or your family expect to vacation or go out of town a lot? If you travel, who will care for your pet pig?

You would be surprised at how few people out there will help care for a pig when you leave, they simply don’t have any experience with pigs, thus leaving your pet with them could spell disaster. Now a days, we even have pet sitters at our disposal on care.com and many other internet sites, don’t trust the first person to fall in love with your pig though. Do they have any pig experience? If so, how much? Do they have any knowledge of what would constitute and emergency with a pig? How often can they visit, check on or spend time with your pig? Do you plan to let your pig stay with someone else in their home, this usually isn’t the best option? Who locally would they contact in the event of an emergency? Are they on file to approve treatment with your veterinarian? Pet pigs require a lot more care and attention than their other domestic counterparts. Plus, you typically can’t take a pet pig to a kennel for the weekend. Although there are a few that may accept pigs, make sure to take a full tour of the entire premises because kennels are very stressful for pigs! The barking could send them in to a panic attack, unless you have a well traveled and sociable pig. Make sure you know what you will do and who you will call in case you decide that you can’t live without a vacation.

11) Are you prepared for a pig that could and most likely will get much larger than you may have originally been told or expected?

Like our opening paragraph warned us… this is such a HUGE topic in the pet pig community, it can’t be overlooked! Although there are pigs out there that MAY stay slightly smaller in stature, please be very aware that you got an exception, NOT the rule! As of current, there are no records to back up that a miniature pig, at a full grown age (which is around 5 years old), that is fully healthy, has lived to the standard average age a pot belly pig should reach. Many of these small ones live for awhile and are healthy for the first few years and maybe even up to 5, but they end up passing from health complications due to inbreeding or poor breeding/husbandry practices done in a feeble attempt to keep the lines small. Again, do not buy in to this and spare yourself the pain, financial burden and heartache now! Are you willing to open up your home and heart to a pet pig that you were told would stay under 50 pounds or better yet, 35 pounds, and it is now growing well beyond 100 plus and is not obese? This happens every day and owners end up surrendering their once loved pets to either shelters, sanctuaries or even turning them loose to fend for themselves or euthanized. This is the major problem all these Facebook groups, Internet sites and sanctuaries are combating on a daily basis. This is literally the most important question on this blog… are you prepared to love a 300 pound pig if it comes to that? If you can’t foresee that happening, step away from pig ownership, it’s a trap! You are better off with a cat or dog.

Visit our page on "The Teacup Myth" by clicking this highlighted sentence.

Finally, have you done all the research you can possibly do on your new pet pig and their needs? Have you taken the time to educate yourself and ask other pig parents how they have had to change their lives to accommodate a pet pig? If you haven’t done any prior research or investigated what it really entails to own a pig, you must do that first; we implore you! This blog is an excellent starting point but please, dig deeper. Visit all of our website and even visit other Facebook groups, especially those of rescues or sanctuaries to get the real, not sugar coated stories of life with pet pigs. AS cute as they are as piglets, they are not all roses and sunshine, they grow up! They bring a lot of joy to our lives but they are certainly not for every one! We cannot stress how important it really is to have an arsenal of information at the ready and handy when and if those needs or bad situations do arise. The more prepared you are, the less stress you, your family and your pet will be forced to endure. This is all we ever want, a happy and healthy life for the animals that we willingly chose to open our doors to. It is our responsibility, not theirs, for us to learn about what ownership encompasses. Do not fail your pet from the start, start with education.

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Pennsylvania based Scratch N All owner and creator, Cynthia Garry, has had an ingenious idea since 2008 when all the corners in her wooden barn were rubbed smooth and raw from years of scratching on them by her equine companions. In an attempt to turn all the animals favorite scratching locations in to something useful and safe, she asked herself how she could possibly create a product exactly like hanging, already existing curry combs, from the walls and make them attractive and functional? Voila... the Scratch N All product was born!

Cynthia has been at it for years now and has sold her products all over the world, including to most zoological societies that also caught on to this brilliant idea. All her products are manufactured within the U.S., so you can be certain the quality and care has gone in to the creation of your product. They are not made of cheap material and will stand the test of time, which is a prime selling point when it comes to items that typically don't stand a chance against our pet pigs! Although initially designed for horses, the enrichment product is now being used for all types of animals including highly exotics, it knows no species barrier.

Here at Pet Pig Education we are always looking for new products for our porcine companions that not only serve a purpose but will stand the durability test. Cynthia has done just that. The Scratch N All is a 5" X 6" X 1" pad that comes with four stainless steel (rust proof) mounting screws and washers to firmly attach the pads to nearly any solid surface; this includes trees! The folding V-notch technology also helps prevent water from becoming trapped behind the unit and thus can help prevent water damage to the surface it is mounted to. You can buy one piece or many, as they interlock vertically and horizontally allowing you to create the desired height or width for any sized animal. You can even use them inside your home for indoor pet pigs; we have seen them mounted to wall corners inside! At Pet Pig Education, we also believe any enrichment routine or exercise that allows your pet pig to engage in a natural behavior that you would typically see in the wild, is a key element to a happy, healthy, long life. Pigs must scratch and they do it on tress or anything suitable they come across in their habitat, why not offer them something to fill that exact need!? Not only will it meet a primal need of your pig but it will possibly deter the behavior of scratching on undesirable household items that can be easily broken or damaged. By investing in this product, you can essentially "kill two birds with one stone." <----- That's just a figure of speech by the way =)

Right now thru May 29th, Scratch N All is running it's Annual Shedding Season Sale, where you can pick up a unit for only $11.00 each. They also offer soft touch animal massage units. So go check out their website for ordering and a ton of engaging videos showing all the different ways each species uses these creations! Go like their Facebook page to get updates on sales and new product releases. I will actually be getting one of these units myself and I cannot wait to install it out on the farm! I have many animals, including pigs, that will enjoy using them! I may end up having to buy them for every pasture and stall! Even Lil' Orphan Hammies rescue uses the Scratch N All products! If you have any questions about the product, Cynthia is only a click or phone call away, she is always happy to help and assist with any need! In a world where customer service is key, you wont find better customer relations than with Cynthia, what an amazing individual to work with! Go get a piece of this sale while it lasts!

We want to hear and see from our readers! Do you have a Scratch N All already? Do your pets love it? How has it held up? Have you designed something to fill your pigs "scratching needs?" Show it to us in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

Website: http://www.scratchnall.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ScratchnAll

Lets discuss routine vaccine needs in pet pigs. It is an ever evolving topic and one that has garnished a lot of attention over the years, especially as needs and medical advances change. Unlike cat and dog vaccines, pet pig vaccinations are a very grey area! With common companion animals, there are a normal set of vaccinations given annually/bi-annually and as boosters to young. Because pigs are still fighting to be labeled as a "companion animals" and their risks for contracting certain strains of diseases are wildly different, their vaccination requirements will always reflect that. With that said, there is no vaccination list we can broadly give everyone when it comes to making that decision. Sometimes it can be a touchy subject and all of us have our opinions on them and where we feel our pet should fall in to the mix.

To start off with, please understand that I am not a licensed veterinarian and only completed through LVT school. I have had discussions with licensed vets prior to producing this blog, but in no way can my thoughts or opinions be a final verdict in whether your pet should be vaccinated. Always seek professional medical advise from a licensed veterinarian and one that you feel is competent in and has the needed experience to treat miniature varieties of swine. Some vets may be qualified to work on swine but use your best judgement when it comes to them treating smaller varieties; As some have only treated commercial swine in their occupational experience. Let this blog be a guide and help you understand what questions you should ask and why.

A solid place to begin is addressing that the needs of commercial/production swine are NOT the needs of miniature pet swine (pigs). A lot of veterinarians will try and sell you on a slew of vaccines that you typically see commercial swine receiving on an annual or bi-annual basis. This is not needed and undesirable in pet pigs. There are a couple that may be needed or required that commercial swine do also receive, but the correct questions need to be addressed first.

* In my geographical location, what are my pigs risk factors for contracting a non-eradicated swine disease?

Sounds technical but its really not. What we are asking here is based on where you live, are there commercial/production hogs within the area OR a feral hog population that may roam the land nearby? In some states and regions this is of no concern at all as neither feral hog OR commercial swine establishments are present. In the later case, that relieves you of any concern that your pig may contract a disease known to still be present in primarily feral hog populations. Commercial swine usually pick up diseases from feral populations that roam near the farms OR from living in tightly packed quarters with many other swine that may be transported in from various different locations. Transporting commercial swine actually happens a lot when relocating them for feeding/finishing and slaughter. Commercial swine tend to be very heavily guarded in their health and USDA requirements because of this and that most of us consume said meat. There are many additional regulations on farms that produce for meat consumption, your pet pig does not fall in to that category. Your next question however, will touch on transportation of your pet and must be addressed as well.

* Based on my pet pigs home routine and need (or NO need) to travel, what vaccines are mandatory to stay safe and meet the legal requirements?

What we are asking regarding home routines, is this... will your pig be traveling to parades, petting zoos, parties...etc? Does he take a lot of walks in the city streets or on rural roads? Does he go to work with you? Do you have any other animals that live in the home with him, other farm animals outside in the barn or even a full herd of pigs out back? In regards to his home routine, what is he/she being exposed to on a daily basis if they are not a predominantly single, indoor pig, that doesn't routinely go anywhere? Your vet must be aware of your pigs daily routine in order to make a educated decision on what vaccines are needed in your area and for your living situation. This is an important step in the process that you never want to miss!

Legal transporting requirements are also of extreme importance and should never be overlooked! This includes anything that requires your pet pig to travel over a state line and will be even more involved, if you are shipping overseas. The regulations are there to help safeguard any diseased animals from crossing in to and contaminating a region or country. You will always need a health certificate to travel over state lines and internationally with your pig, understand you will always be required to have one! Do not slack on this as it may mean the difference of your pet being taken away from you and quarantined with associated fines; it's not worth it to leave it to chance. To obtain a proper health certificate, your pet must be properly vaccinated for states in which it is traveling through AND the state of it's final destination. Although in some counties, pet pigs are now labeled as "companion animals," they are not labeled with that title everywhere yet. In some states they are still considered "livestock" and you must be aware of that. Because of individual state requirements and regulations, you will need to make sure that you have the proper vaccination records to travel in to that area and in some cases, a blood draw test done to confirm your pig is not a carrier of certain diseases. Always make a travel plan with your veterinarian that is verified to issue a USDA travel health certificate. We have links to all the updated USDA travel requirements and certified veterinarians that can issue health certs in your area/state. The sentence highlighted in red or blue is a link to those USDA requirements and other information you need to know when traveling. Remember, requirements are updated and changed in every state on an annual basis due to need and new/emerging medical concerns. Just because you know the regulations one year, doesn't mean they wont change the next. So if you travel with your pet, check back frequently! The question... What vaccinations will your pet pig need in order to travel safely and legally?

*Does my area have a problem with excessive wildlife, diseases in rodents or other pests?

In some geographical locations it may not be unheard of to have major problems with wildlife and pests, this also has a lot to do with weather patterns. Pests aren't always a problem if they are properly managed and there has not been a known disease rise in a certain population. This issue will come and go all the time as certain diseases are on the rise or subside. Make sure to discuss this with your veterinarian if you have caught word that there may be a current issue. Insects, rodents and some wildlife are vectors for disease and if your area has a current problem with them, this must be addressed.

*Rabies Vaccination, yes or no and why?

This is an interesting question. Swine are extremely resistant to the rabies strain that we typically are forced to deal with in companion animals and that are passed along by certain wildlife vectors. Normally, I would say a rabies vaccine is totally unnecessary in a pet pig as the reality that your pig will contract it is less than 1 in a billion. Not to mention, there are no rabies vaccines on the market that are labeled for use in pigs.

Swine DO get pseudorabies but that disease has nothing, I repeat nothing to do with the rabies that we typically vaccinate for. Pseudorabies in swine, is a herpes virus not a rabid, untreatable, certain death, neurological disease we deal with in cats, dogs, skunks, squirrels...etc. Please make sure you understand that the two are in no way related. When we refer to a rabies vaccine, we are not referring to pseudorabies.

However, although swine contracting rabies is pretty much unheard of, the need to vaccinate them is still there... lets explain why. Now that we are fighting so hard for our pet pigs to become companion animals and be allowed in city limits/housing communities, we are also now bound by the need to follow companion animal regulations. If your pet pig bites a friend, child or any human being it may come in to contact with, you will be required to have proof that your pet pig was properly vaccinated by a licensed vet for rabies. If your pet pig is not properly vaccinated for rabies and he/she accidentally bites or nips someone, your pig may be put down with no debate. We never want to be placed in a situation like that. So make sure to ask your vet what the city's requirements are in regards to swine on vaccinating for rabies. Question... what are your home state/city's requirements on vaccinations for companion animals? Or does your city still require you to follow livestock requirements? Could your pig be euthanized if it bites and isn't vaccinated for rabies?

Common Vaccines for Smaller Swine Variations

Rabies (Asses the need and requirement)
Tetanus (commonly given for pigs in a petting zoos or barn settings, that live with other species of animals)
Bordetella*
Pasturella*
Erysipeleas* (Very common to vaccinate for in pigs)
* Commonly given as a 3 way booster BPE

Depending on travel and exposure, the following are commonly administered (more commonly in show animals):

Leptospirosis (risk of fever after use)
Clostridum
Mycoplasma
Parvovirus
E. Coli scours (there are a few different strains of scours, discuss which ones you need. Primarily administered to breeding stock)

With any vaccinations in miniature swine you must watch closely for a few hours, for a reaction. Most often a reaction will occur in the form of a fever. You can also over-vaccinate miniature pigs, so make sure you ask that the doses are correct in proportion to body weight.

In closing, I too have a personal opinion on vaccinations. Take it with a grain of salt and please make the best judgement for your unique situation and needs. Pigs have a very high natural resistance to disease, especially as adults. If your situation doesn't warrant vaccines and your risk factor is low, there is simply no need for them. My pigs don't travel and rarely come in contact with outside humans, because of that I tend to not vaccinate. When I was breeding for a small stent of time, I did. Now, I do not and I no longer have the need or requirement. There are too many instances where these smaller pigs have adverse reactions and if the need isn't there or mandated by state regulations... there is no reason to risk causing an additional problem or over vaccinating. House pets that never leave home, rarely need vaccines either. Regardless of opinion and what I do, speak with your vet first! Having a solid game plan for your geographical location and city requirements, is a must!

This toy offers a very unique experience as it is so differently shaped from all the ball like dispensers out there, some animals really enjoy it! However, it is a bit hard to fill and even harder to keep clean. With that said, it is still very durable and entertaining, some pigs may love it! About $8.00