limping pot bellied pig

Question
Hi.  I have a pot bellied pig, Jemima, 1 year and a half old, who just last night began to limp slightly.  She may have slipped a bit on our hardwood floors.  Her hooves were trimmed about 2 months ago, and she is a hefty girl, around 140 pounds. Can I give her aspirin and what would be a proper dose if so?  How about glucosamine?  I have a harness for her and would like to start walking her.  Any suggestions?  Thanks in advance.  

Answer
Pigs can easily injure themselves on slippery surfaces. Pigs are not as flexible as dogs and cats. Put down carpet runners, rubber mats, or inexpensive bath rugs for piggy to walk and stand on.

Chances are this is just a minor sprain or strain. Danger signs include swelling and redness, or if there's a very hot spot to the touch on her leg. In this case, she might need to see a vet and possibly get some x-rays. If the limp lingers a long time, or grows worse, she may need to see a vet. There's a list of vets that treat pot-bellied pigs here www.farec.org

The best treatment for minor injuries is rest. Many vets are reluctant to offer pain medicine for minor strains, because they want the animal to rest and not overuse the injured part.

Many people report great success with glucosamine and other home remedies for arthritis. The pigs weight determines the doseage. For baby aspirin, the usual dose is 325 mg per 75 lb of pig. It's very important to KNOW, not guess, the pig's weight. You don't need a scale, just a string or tape measure. Instructions for calculating your pigs weight based on her size is here http://www.pigpalssanctuary.com/health/size_weight.htm  Baby aspirin can cause ulcers, so many people use a drugstore brand of antacid like Pepcid AC when giving baby aspirin. Give the Pepcid AC at the meal before you start giving aspirin. Continue the antacid as long as the pig is on aspirin, following the instructions on the antacid package.

Eighteen months is not too old to start harness training, but chances are you'll have to take it a little slower. Start by using a harness that slips underneath the pig and fastens on the back, so piggy doesn't have to put her head through anything. Pigs don't like to do that. Pig harnesses in many sizes are available from www.pigstuff.com and www.rossmillfarm.com  Put a few pellets on the floor, and while she's eating, put the harness on her.

I highly recommend Priscilla Valentine's book Pot-Bellied Pig Behavior and Training. Pris really understands how pigs think and why they do what they do. She explains harness training in more detail than I can here. Her book is available from Amamzon.com