Veterinary Treatment of Pigs. Graham R Duncanson

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Adequate for each class of pig and able to be altered with extremes of weather conditions Lighting Adequate. Pigs must not live in darkness Alarms These are required only if there is mechanical temperature control practised. Smoke alarms are recommended Pest control Pigs must be kept vermin free. Bait must be protected from the pigs Waste control No excessive build-up of dung, particularly slurry Water supply This must be reliable even in severe frost Piglet creep environment This must be warm enough (see Housing section above) Pig condition score Pigs must not be too thin or obese. This is particularly relevant to pet pigs Pig groups Stability is important (practitioners should look for evidence of fighting) Stocking density Area must be sufficient for the number and size (see Housing section above) Feeding space Must be adequate (see Housing section above) Level of antisocial behaviour and vice Needs to be assessed with sympathy for the pigs and the pig keeper Treatment of sick pigs Must be prompt with the ability to move into separate pens Provision for euthanasia This should be a written policy with veterinary involvement (see Chapter 6) Drainage and land suitability This is particularly important with outdoor pigs. The whole area occupied by the pigs should be checked visually Standard and positioning of accommodation This should be visually assessed Electric fence training and acclimatization This is relevant to outdoor pigs. Pig keepers should be educated Wallows and shade This is relevant to outdoor pigs and should be visually assessed Nose ringing practice This is no longer acceptable as it contravenes one of the five welfare freedoms Weaning environment This is one of the most stressful events in a pig’s life. The environment should be visually appraised Rotation of farrowing accommodation and location Hygiene and education regarding straw burning

      Fig. 1.22. Pigs at shows are a danger to the public.

       Carcass disposal

      Carcass disposal has to be regulated to fit in with current regulations and legislation. With small operations it would be suggested that disposal would be similar to domestic pets. However, with a larger operation and a larger number of pigs, a commercial carcass collector should be employed. His location and telephone number should be obtained before the need arises.

       Legal requirements

      Pet pigs are treated by DEFRA the same as commercial pigs. The owner is required to be registered with DEFRA and have a holding number.

      Fig. 1.23. Pigs make good outdoor pets.

      Fig. 1.24. Easy to throw scraps to these pigs kept at a children’s care home.

      The movement of all pigs must be recorded in an ‘On Farm Movement Record’. This records the date the pigs were moved from or to the premises, the numbers moved, their identification marks and the address to or from which they have been moved. Welfare must be considered (Fig. 1.29).

      No pigs should be moved off premises within 20 days of any pigs moving on to those premises. When pigs are moved off premises a movement licence must accompany them, which can be a signed declaration by the owner. When a self-issued declaration is issued, a copy should be sent to the local authority. Blank copies of declaration forms may be obtained from the Trading Standards department of the local authority or farming organizations such as the National Farmers’ Union.

      Pigs may be allowed to visit veterinary premises for emergency treatment, but the DVM needs to be informed as soon as possible if the regulations regarding pigs coming on to the holding within 20 days have not been adhered to. The vehicle needs to be thoroughly washed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before and after the journey.

      Fig. 1.25. Pigs benefit from walking on concrete to keep their hooves worn.

      Fig. 1.26. A deciduous canine.

      If pigs are carried in a vehicle loaded and unloaded just for the purpose of feeding and watering, there is no requirement to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.

      If pigs are moved under a movement declaration to a slaughterhouse, they must be slaughtered within 72 h. They cannot be removed alive from the slaughterhouse.

      All persons in charge of premises receiving pigs must retain a copy of all movement declarations for 6 months.

      It must be remembered that as pigs are a potential food-producing animal, a medicine book has to be kept by the owner. All medicines have to be recorded: the amount, name and batch number of the medicine, and the expiry date. The identification of the pig and the route of administration also have to be noted. Lastly, even though it may be abhorrent to the owner, the date when the pig is fit for human consumption has to be recorded.

      Fig. 1.27. A smallholder herd. A single sow and her litter.

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