Parasite Control
Why Spay Your Pet Pig
There are a few different reasons why you might want to have your pet pig spayed. Pigs tend to have large litters, so unless you intend on breeding pigs and rearing the piglets for meat, it can become labour intensive to rear and then rehome a large number of piglets.
Sows frequently show behaviour changes during their oestrus cycle (heat). Some can become aggressive towards humans or each other, and others become quiet and withdrawn, showing signs of discomfort. Owners often report their pet pigs become much more vocal while in heat. Whilst spaying may not eliminate fights between pigs, it can reduce these “mood swings” associated with oestrus.
Spaying pigs can also be beneficial for their health, as it will greatly reduce the risk of certain diseases in the uterus (womb), including:
- Pyometra (bacterial infection leading to pus in the uterus)
- Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (thickened lining of the uterus +/- cysts present)
- Tumours (tumours arising from the muscle layer of the uterus seem to be the more common type)
The presence of these issues in pet pigs is generally underdiagnosed, since they may be asymptomatic until the later stages of the disease, and other tests, e.g., blood tests may be normal. One study in the US (Ilha et al, 2010) on voluntary spaying of pet pigs (that is, pigs that were not observed to have signs of these diseases) found a surprising 3 in 4 of the pigs had cystic endometrial hyperplasia, and around 44% had some type of tumour in the uterus.
Spaying pigs can also be beneficial for their health, as it will greatly reduce the risk of certain diseases in the uterus (womb), including:
- Pyometra (bacterial infection leading to pus in the uterus)
- Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (thickened lining of the uterus +/- cysts present)
- Tumours (tumours arising from the muscle layer of the uterus seem to be the more common type)
The presence of these issues in pet pigs is generally underdiagnosed, since they may be asymptomatic until the later stages of the disease, and other tests, e.g., blood tests may be normal. One study in the US (Ilha et al, 2010) on voluntary spaying of pet pigs (that is, pigs that were not observed to have signs of these diseases) found a surprising 3 in 4 of the pigs had cystic endometrial hyperplasia, and around 44% had some type of tumour in the uterus.
What makes the surgery more complicated than e.g., spaying a cat or dog?
No surgery is without risk, and spaying a pig is more complicated (and therefore more expensive) than spaying a cat or dog. At Langford Farm Animal Practice, we collaborate with surgeons at the Langford Veterinary Practice, and the Anaesthesia department at the Langford Small Animal Referral Hospital, in order to reduce these risks.
Pig anaesthesia can be problematic, as pigs require different types of sedative/anaesthetic drug combinations, and frequently try to fight the effects of these. The way their bodies metabolise these drugs means pigs typically take much longer than other species to become sleepy enough to begin surgery and then take a long time to wake up again – so they need close monitoring throughout the process.
The surgical approach is similar to spaying a bitch i.e., the pig is laid on her back, and the surgeon makes an incision down the midline of the abdomen to remove the uterus and ovaries. Due to the size and shape of pigs (generally rounder than dogs!), the surgeon usually needs to go deeper into the abdomen in order to reach the necessary organs. If there are uterine lesions such as cysts or tumours present, then this can also make the surgery more complex.
Things to consider if you are having your pig spayed
One of our vets can discuss a plan with you when organising to have your pig spayed, but here are some factors you should plan for:
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Age – pigs should be at least 12 weeks old to be spayed. Spaying earlier is better, as the risk of cysts and tumours developing is higher in older pigs
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Timing – the surgery should be carried out when your pig is not in heat. There are a few reasons for this e.g., there is increased blood supply to the uterus during a heat, increasing the risk of bleeding
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Body condition - obese pigs are harder to anaesthetise, and increased fat layers makes the surgery more difficult. Your vet may advise that your pig loses some weight before spaying her.
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Weight – there will be a weight limit for the operating table
If you are registered with us and would like to further discuss spaying your pig, then you can call on 01934 852650 or email farmpractice@langfordvets.co.uk
If you are not registered with us, then your own vet will need to make a referral to us.
Reference: Ilha et al 2010 doi/10.1177/0300985810382522