unrinary tract infection???

Question
Our 4 month old potbelly pig Monte was so easy to potty train. He right away learned to use the dog door and go outside.  Lately he has been peeing everywhere. He usually will do it right in front of us.  We have a litter box out and the backdoor open and the doggy door is accessible too. It's in different spots too.  The only thing I can think of is urinary tract infection, but there is no discharge or color change in his urine. the other thing we have noticed is he doesn't like his belly rubbed anymore.  We do have an 15 year old dog, but he goes outside and never has accidents in the house.  Any ideas what is going on???

Answer
First, please let me apologize for the delay in responding. Your question, along with the notice from AllExperts, went into my spam folder.

This is a pretty common scenario.

Baby pigs don't realize they have to go until the very last second. They leave very tiny wee-wee spots. Often, these spots are so small that people don't realize their piggy has made an accident.

Baby "gets away" with these tiny accidents, and so thinks it's Ok to potty in the wrong spot. As baby grows, the accidents grow, too. Eventually, they get large enough that the people start to find them.

The people are puzzled, and think that piggy has "forgotten" his training, when, in fact, piggy has been pottying there all along.

So now the problem has two parts - part one, learning to potty in the right place, and part two, learning to NOT potty in the wrong place. It's possible - but difficult - to teach a piggy new habits.

The only solution is to eliminate the accident spot and start potty training again from Square One.

Clean the spot with any good name-brand product designed to remove pet odors. Some products must be allowed to dry completely before the odor is gone. If the accident is on a throw rug or mat, toss it. If the accident is on a hard floor or carpet, put a new mat or rug on the spot (wait until the carpet and under padding are completely dry).

When piggy is indoors, keep him on a harness and leash at your side, or confined to a single room with a potty box, so he doesn't have to go far to reach the box.

Start piggy on a strict potty schedule. As soon as piggy wakes up, before and after each meal, as soon as he wakes up from a nap or comes out of his crate or private room. Make sure piggy goes to his box every hour, unless he is confined to his room. The idea is to keep him so empty he doesn't have the urge to potty in the wrong spot.

When he goes to the box or outside, make sure he actually potties! Do not let him out of the box or back indoors until he does.

Never let piggy near the accident spot unless he is on a leash at your side. After the spot is thoroughly cleaned, you might also try putting his food dish in that spot.

Piggies have very long memories. You will need to stick to this strict new routine for several weeks. You will need to keep him away from the problem spot, or on a leash and harness at your side when he is in the problem spot room, for a couple of months.