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Contact details for all
registered breeder's of -
Miniature Pigs in Australia
Dr Carr & Jaycee Morgan are
available to answer your
questions about pet pigs.
Information about getting -
your miniature pig.
MPPPA full members area only.
For registered breeders of
Miniature Pigs
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Click on the Questions to view Dr Carr's Answers |
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Question: Dear Dr Carr, I have recently purchase a mini pig from Xxxxxxxxx pigs, she was desexed and had her nose ring put in at the vets yesterday, the breeder had this done by her vet, I was just wondering if you know of this breeder and her reputation? as I was unable to find her on the MPPPA registration site, I have already paid for the pig in full, she is due to arrive in Melbourne next Tues where I will pick her up from the airport. I have many neighbours that are telling me to be very careful about what size these pigs really grow too, the breeder assures me she will not grow past 48cm, do you know this breeder? I am now a little scared as I hope all goes well!Regards Karen Xxxxxx____________________________________________________________________________ Answer:-
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Question: Hi - I purchased a little mini pig from a breeder in Xxxxxxxx, NSW just before Christmas. She seemed to be in perfect health and then at 12 weeks old, one morning she fell ill. She didn't want to get out of bed and eat breakfast and she seemed bloated. So I took her to the vet that morning, who tested her pooh and said she had worms. So, she gave her a shot and said she should be starting to feel better by the end of the day. Well, a few hours later she started to pick up a little and even ate some breakfast, she got up and went and lay in the sun for a while and then jumped up on my lap for a cuddle. She took herself to bed early that night, so she obviously wasn't 100% but I thought she was on the mend. Then the next morning, she was dead. The vet did an autopsy because she couldn't understand it. She said there was no sign of any blockage and had no idea why she would have died. When I found her, she was on the floor (not in her bed) and on her side with her legs out - she looked, from her position, as though she had dropped dead. Do you have any clues as to what could have killed her?____________________________________________________________________________ Answer:-
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Question: Our mini pig is 3 months old and just this week she has started to sleep outside. She is in a plastic kennel with a mat on the plastic floor and on top of the mat is a soft dog bed. She also burries herself into a blanket and sleeping bag. Also last week we purchased pine wood chip for our yard which she plays in and also gave her grass hay for unlimited grazing. Now she has the sniffles (not sneezing) and she is not off her food and is still happy moving around after the kids. Should I be worried and do you know a vet who treats pigs near the Hornsby area. Thank you____________________________________________________________________________ Answer:-
Hi
Where is the Hornsby area?
I have no particular issue with the sow
sleeping outside especially during the
summer months. Of particular need might
be a wallow especially as the days
become hot.
See picture of sows enjoying the
Australian weather
The sniffles may be nothing - especially
as the pig is still well. I take it the
kids are well?
If you have any concerns you should
phone your local vet for advice.
Perhaps you could send me a picture or
short video of the pig:
visit our website at:
www.portec.com.au
John
Dr John Carr
BVSc PhD DPM DiplECPHM MRCVS
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Question:
I
have recently purchased a miniature pig...I am in Glenhaven, Sydney. I
would like to understand any health stuff eg deworming etc and is it very to
cruel to put a nose ring in to stop him digging. I have 5 Belington terriers
and he Otis (pig) believes he is a dog and part of the pack. he is very
happy to be with them. The only thing is, is my female is the pack leader
and normally when she approaches the other dogs they submit but Otis does
not and she does nip him and stand over him and growl. Will he understand
this behaviour? He tries to nip her back and I am afraid she will attack
him. Thanks
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Hi
I have many friends with dogs and pigs
and generally they will get on. The pig
quite often will act top Hog -
especially over feed - but they all seem
to sort it out.
Ringing is a difficult one - on one hand
we want to allow the pig to experience
all that life can offer and rooting is a
particularly enjoyable activity.
However, the pet pig also has to
accommodate modern gardens. It would
appear that pigs with rings or staples
do not suffer - they root less and
obviously damage gardens less. The ring
or staple should be fitted by your vet.
John
Dr John Carr
BVSc PhD DPM DiplECPHM MRCVS
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Question:
Hi,
I have just purchased pair of miniature pigs as pets, I was planning to
have them desexed as some of the internet sites say they make better pets
if they are neutered'. I live in Northern Tasmania and was surprised to find
that my vet wont do livestock, the other vet in Launceston that was
recommended said it would be no problem operating on the boar but they will
not guarantee that the sow will survive because of the anaesthetic risk. My
question is is it worthwhile having his done if it is so risky? Also should
I have nose rings inserted,
the pigs seem to get great enjoyment from digging. Cheers Fred
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Answer:-
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Hi All surgery has a risk. However, the risk of operating on a pig is no different from that of dogs and cats. Please refer your vet to my website describing suitable techniques for spaying female pigs and castrating the male. Spaying a pig is actually easier than in the dog.
The male definitely need to be castrated - entire males become extremely difficult after 2 years of age. With regard to ringing or staples - personally I would do it as they are effective in protecting the landscape - otherwise pigs dig and dig - see attached photo for example.
If you vet has any further questions, please send me an email.
John |
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Question: Hi, just wondering if there is anyway you can stop a pig digging massive holes???? also we have limited grass available to graze on, should I get him some hay or something as a substitute and a change for his fruit and veg. Sue
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Answer:-
Hi
Interesting dilemma.
Pigs rooting is a natural behaviour. But they can destroy property, gardens and trees. This behaviour was used by medieval farmers to help clear their land. Turn the pigs into the forest, they kill the trees, pull the trees down and the pig's feet then plough the land.
But in pet pigs - this can be extremely distressing to a gardener.
The "treatment" is to place nose staples into the pig's snout. These are commercially available and can be administered by the vet.
The picture illustrates a single nasal ring. Staples go on the side of the nose.
Hope this helps
John
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Question:
Re:
miniature pet pigs..- My partner is very interested in buying a miniature
pet pig for her apartment. Firstly, is this a silly idea? Would it be cruel
to keep in an apartment? Do they create a lot of mess? also, I have been to
numerous websites that say there really
are no miniature pigs in Australia and no one really knows just how big they
will grow.
Is this true or false. And finally, if MPPs do exist in oz where would be a good Sydney place to look, best regards - clint
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Answer:-
Pigs are great as pets. Personally I believe they should have access to an outside run and therefore can be difficult just in an apartment especially in a city. You need to consider city bylaws and the apartment rules. Pigs can be quite destructive. They are extremely bright - smarter than dogs and eat virtually anything. Pet pigs are much smaller than commercial pigs but obviously they grow and before you buy any pig please check its mother and ideally father for size. Majority of pet pigs will be no bigger than average big dog - it depends on the size of your apartment.
There are few pets that will be as rewarding as a pig - but you have to be able to reward the pigs for its loyalty and devotion as well.
John
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Question:
Hi
John , I was just thinking about the feeding of pet pigs compared to the
feeding of pigs for meat, pigs for meat are fed quiet a high protein diet
but they are generally
slaughtered quiet young and was wondering does feeding pet pigs a high
protein diet for such a long time (longer life time than meat pigs) have a
poor effect on their kidneys or any other organs later in life
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Answer:-
There is a difference. Up to around 4 months of age the pig should be fed so that it grows normally with good body conformation. Thus up to this point all pigs are equal. After this however, the pet and commercial pigs going to be retained for breeding need to grow at a slower pace to allow for their legs to have good bone strength.
Normally a growing pig will eat about 4% of its bodyweight a day of a balanced diet. After 4 months I would reduce to 2% of its body weight and then after 9 months 1%.
The pig will continue growing for 3-4 years well into maturity. Obviously additional feeding is required for the pregnant and lactating sow.
John
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Question: Some people who are buying Mini pigs are stating they have been fooled. These so called minis are in fact manageable pigs and not the 40 cm advertised. There is also concern that some are being bred with feral pigs and the DPI has intervened in one case, stating they were crossbred and the animals were destroyed. Any comments?.
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Answer:-
Annie
All domestic pigs all belong to the same species – the Wild Boar or Sus scrofra. From a genetic point of view there are no differences between a Vietnamese Potbellied Pig and a Wild Boar from Russia. There are other species of “pigs”, many of the islands of the Pacific have a native pig species. For more information see: http://www.portec.com.au/thepig/basics/otherpigs/piggeneral1.htm
In Australia, it is my understanding that the importation regulations preventing live pigs entering the country came into force in the late 1980’s before Pot Bellied pigs – based on pigs from Vietnam became popular in North America as pets and there are no real Pot Bellied pigs in Australia. All the pet pigs we have and love, have been bred from the pigs introduced by Europeans. The pig is not native to Australia. The use of the term Minipig indicates that through selective breeding the pig is likely to remain small and suitable for a home environment.
The actions of the DPI are difficult to understand as the feral pig also comes from the same stock and there would be no method of distinguishing feral pigs, pet pigs or their crosses – they are all pigs. Where the DPI interfere, we as a group should stand together and question their actions.
When buying any animal it is essential to discuss clearly with the breeder the health of the animal’s parents and their breeding. Ideally, to gauge an idea on the likely size of your pig as an adult, see both mother and father. But my mother and father are both under 1.4 metres and yet I am 2 metres tall – so this method is not fool proof.
For more information on pig breeds see:
http://www.portec.com.au/thepig/basics/breeds/default.htm
and: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/
John
Dr John Carr
BVSc PhD DPM DiplECPHM MRCVS
Senior Lecturer Murdoch University
* Could the
MPPPA add this comment to the answer to the question
to Dr Carr which was concerned with the DPI
intervention in the case of mini pigs being crossed
with feral pigs.
Most states and
territories in Australia have some sort of
legislation or regulation which either prohibits or
restricts the transport of live feral pigs or the
use of feral pigs in breeding programs.
These regulations
exist for biosecurity reasons to protect our
agriculture from disease and other complications.
Feral pigs in some
states of Australia carry Brucellosis. Brucella
suis is the bacteria that causes brucellosis in
pigs and sometimes in people.
Any person
contemplating the use of feral animals of any breed
in a domestic breeding program should check with
their state Department of Primary Industries (or
Agriculture) to be sure that they would not be in
contravention of any state legislation.
Regards
Jayce
Ms Jayce Morgan
Livestock Officer Pigs
NSW Dept Primary Industries
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