šŸš©DisclaimeršŸš©For educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed veterinarian regarding your mini pig’s care and treatment.

First Aid Care & Guidelines

Hoof Injuries & Bleeding During Trimming

Kwik StopĀ® Styptic Powder

  • Helps stop bleeding if a hoof or nail is accidentally trimmed too short (“quicked”).
  • Apply directly to the bleeding area.
  • Do not use on skin or open wounds, as it may irritate and damage tissue.

Super Glue

  • If a hoof bleeds during trimming, place a small cotton ball over the area and secure it with a drop of super glue.
  • This can help stop bleeding quickly.
  • The cotton will naturally fall off or can be gently removed later.

Jump StartĀ®

  • Give 1 click orally, 3 times daily until stool firms up.
  • We recommend trying Jump Start first.
  • Available at Tractor Supply and many farm supply stores.
  • One tube typically lasts up to a year when stored properly.

Pepto-BismolĀ®

  • Dose: 1 cc (mL) per pound of body weight
  • May cause stools to appear black or dark in color.

Seek veterinary care immediately if diarrhea is severe, contains blood, or persists longer than 24-48 hours.

Buffered Aspirin

  • Dose: 5 mg per pound of body weight, twice daily
  • Must be buffered aspirin only
  • Always give with food.
  • Do not administer if your pig is not eating.
  • Do not use for more than 3 days without veterinary guidance.

Acetaminophen (TylenolĀ®)

  • Dose: 5 mg per pound every 8 hours
  • Infant Tylenol: approximately 1 mL per 6 pounds of body weight
  • Always give with food.
  • Do not use for more than 2 consecutive days unless directed by a veterinarian.

Prescription Pain Medications

Your veterinarian may prescribe:

  • Tramadol
  • Buprenorphine (BuprenexĀ®)

These medications require a veterinary examination before prescription.

Diphenhydramine (BenadrylĀ®)

  • Dose: 1 mg per pound of body weight every 6-8 hours

Common uses:

  • Bee stings
  • Insect bites
  • Soap or detergent sensitivities
  • Environmental allergies

Seek emergency veterinary care if your pig develops facial swelling or difficulty breathing.

Signs of Fever

Normal pig temperature is approximately 100Ā°Fā€“102Ā°F.

Common signs include:

  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Heavy panting
  • Warm ears and body
  • Reduced activity

A temperature above 102Ā°F accompanied by these symptoms may indicate fever.

TylenolĀ®

  • Dose: 5 mg per pound every 8 hours
  • Infant Tylenol: approximately 1 mL per 6 pounds
  • Always administer with food.
  • Do not use for more than 3 days without veterinary guidance.

Animal Poison Control

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Phone: 888-426-4435

  • Available 24 hours a day
  • Consultation fee applies

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)

May be used to induce vomiting only when instructed by poison control or a veterinarian.

Dose:

  • Approximately 5 cc (mL) per 10 pounds of body weight

Activated Charcoal

Helps bind toxins remaining in the digestive tract and reduce absorption.

Recommended forms:

  • Liquid
  • Powder

Dose:

  • Pigs under 30 lbs: 0.1 mL per pound
  • Pigs over 30 lbs: 0.5 mL per pound

May repeat once after 8 hours if directed.

āš ļø Important: Vomiting is not recommended for every toxin. Always contact poison control or your veterinarian before inducing vomiting.

Dippity Pig Syndrome is commonly characterized by:

  • Sudden onset of pain
  • Hunched posture
  • Reluctance to walk
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Red, moist lesions along the back (not always present)

Some pigs develop visible lesions, while others simply appear sore and uncomfortable. The exact cause remains unknown. Episodes may occur following stress or environmental changes, but they can also occur without any identifiable trigger.

Most cases resolve on their own within several days.

Supportive Care

  • Provide pain management as outlined above.
  • Encourage hydration.
  • Allow your pig to rest in a quiet, dimly lit area.
  • Provide plenty of soft bedding and blankets.

Seek veterinary care if symptoms worsen, persist, or if you are unsure whether the condition is Dippity Pig Syndrome.

When a pig is feeling under the weather, maintaining hydration, electrolytes, and calorie intake is extremely important.

Recommended Supplies

  • Honey
  • PedialyteĀ® (powdered packets are convenient to keep on hand)
  • Quaker OatsĀ®
  • Jump StartĀ®

Supportive Care

  • Rub a small amount of honey on the gums.
  • Mix 1 part Pedialyte with 3 parts water for drinking.
  • Prepare oatmeal according to package directions and mix 1/8 cup honey into 1 cup cooked oatmeal.
  • Feed the oatmeal mixture three times daily until your pig is feeling better.
  • Administer Jump Start as directed above.

Common Causes
Dry air, dry skin, and prolonged exposure to urine around litter box or potty areas can contribute to fungal skin infections.

Common Locations

  • Legs
  • Hooves
  • Dewclaw area

Symptoms

  • Dry, crusty skin
  • Mild itching
  • Localized irritation

(This differs from parasite-related itching, which is typically widespread, red, and inflamed.)

Home Treatment
Mix the following into a clean glass container:

  • 1 tube NeosporinĀ®
  • 1 tube A&D OintmentĀ®
  • 1 tube Athlete’s Foot Cream

Apply to affected areas once daily until symptoms resolve.

If symptoms worsen, spread, become infected, or fail to improve, consult your veterinarian.

Ā 
Ā 
  • Kwik Stop Styptic Powder ā€“ container of styptic powder beside a mini pig hoof-trimming setup.
  • Super Glue ā€“ small tube of super glue with a cotton ball and pig hoof-trimming supplies.
  • Jump Start ā€“ livestock nutritional gel syringe/tube on a clean white background.
  • Pepto-Bismol ā€“ pink stomach-relief medicine bottle on a white background.
  • Buffered Aspirin ā€“ bottle of buffered aspirin tablets.
  • Tylenol ā€“ acetaminophen bottle on a white background.
  • Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) ā€“ allergy-relief medication bottle.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide 3% ā€“ standard brown bottle labeled 3% hydrogen peroxide.
  • Activated Charcoal ā€“ liquid activated charcoal bottle with measuring syringe.
  • Honey ā€“ honey jar with dipper.
  • Pedialyte ā€“ bottle and powdered electrolyte packets.
  • Quaker Oats ā€“ bowl of cooked oatmeal with oats nearby.
  • Neosporin ā€“ antibiotic ointment tube.
  • A&D Ointment ā€“ ointment tube on white background.
  • Athlete’s Foot Cream ā€“ antifungal cream tube.

ā˜Žļø Animal Poison Control

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
  • Phone: (888) 426-4435
  • Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  • Consultation fee may apply
  • Phone: (855) 764-7661
  • Available 24/7
  • Consultation fee may apply

Wild mushrooms should never be considered safe unless positively identified by an expert.

Avoid allowing pigs to chew treated lumber.

If you are unsure whether a food, plant, supplement, medication, or household item is safe for your pig, do not allow access until it has been verified by a veterinarian familiar with miniature pigs. Pigs are curious and often eat first and investigate later, which makes prevention the best protection.

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