orphaned wild piglet

Question
QUESTION: Can I follow your suggestions even tho mine is not a pot bellie?

ANSWER:  Absolutely.
Many of us have rescued wild  (feral) pigs.
They are similar to miniature pigs, but get larger and sometimes fear or hate dogs. But basically, they are "kept" similar to a mini pig, but need lots of exercise.
Bless you for rescuing this pig!
They are gorgeous!
In our pig care book, sold at valentinesperformingpigs.com the red pig looking in the window is our feral pig.
Good luck,
Priscilla Valentine
valentinesperformingpigs.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


My pretty girl   QUESTION: Well that's grreat news! Thank-you. I feel I must tell you that my piglets name is Priscilla and I have a dog called Valentine! Odd isn't it?  Im' hoping you can tell me how to tell if Priscilla is blind. She is very young. Maybe a week or so. My husband found her while deer hunting. She was very much alone and easy to catch. So far it's been a challange just to keep her alive. Two trips to the vet and a week of sleepless nights have me weary but blessed with a bundle of joy! She is red-orange with black spots. Weighing in at two pounds she is managing to rule our home completley at the moment. Is it normal for them to run into stuff? She also will follow the wall with her snout and body leaning on it. How much should she be eating? She puts the pig in piglet right now! Thoink-you for now. I have to get to work!!!   Elizabeth

ANSWER: Elizabeth, lucky you, what a gorgeous pig!
They can get excited and run into stuff, but following along the wall is a new one on me. When she eats solid food (in about 3-4 weeks) you will be able to test her sight easier.  See if her eyes follow your finger...
She should be getting about one third of her body weight per day in milk.....goat's milk is best because it is higher in nutrients and more digestable.  But use your judgement, you don't want her fat or thin.
Again, bless you. She is in good hands.
Priscilla (on her way out of town to do several pig shows)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


My pretty boy   QUESTION: Hi Priscilla!
first off I have to tell you that my pig is not a girl. I'm a bit embarresed that I did not know this till a coupla days ago when I saw him pee on the floor! After having been told it was a girl I just never checked for myself. ah well... at least he is alive still. Also I'm pretty sure he is blind. He no longer opens his eyes much and when he does they are both grey-blue. Do you know anyone with a blind pig? Does anyone know anyone with a blind pig? My heart aches for the little guy. I wonder if he doesn't need a vitamin suppliment or something. His skin is beginning to get flakey and he itches too. He gets goats milk and pedialite with rice cereal on demand for the time being. Any suggestions? Thank-you.  Elizabeth.

Answer
Elizabeth,
We know many people with blind pigs, but the pigs cannot see because they are "fat blind". Pigs have deep set eyes , and if fed too much, fat pads cover the orbits of the eyes......very sad.
Most of thse pigs get along remarkably well  because the pig's main sensory orgain is his snout, and they hear well too.
Have  only heard of a piglet that was blind once in 20 years. He was horribly inbred and had no eyes.
I sure would get a vet to take a look at those eyes....Cataracts?
Blue is an unusual color for pigs eyes, although we do see it.
He needs to be neutered too, by a vet, or he will turn into an obnoxious sex machine.
If he is itching more than once an hour, he probably has swine scaroptic mange mites  (google that one) and will need two injections 14 days apart. People can get it too from their pig. We give our pigs fish and flax oil caps for dry skin!
That is SOME special pig you have!
We know he is in good hands.
Priscilla Valentine