pig arthritis

Question
we have a pet re domesticated Australian feral pig.who was seriously overweight when we got her.she went off her food and was constipated,we fed her olive oil in goats milk and there was an improvement. now approximately a month later she is stiff when walking and chooses to sit a lot.due to the remoteness of our property a vet is of considerable expense, i would like to know if you have come across arthritis in pigs, and any possible cures or treatments, perhaps mineral supplements. we do our best to be organic in all aspects of our animal husbandry.have you any other suggestions as to her condition? thank you ,Jeannie

Answer
Home remedies for arthritis are hit or miss. Not every remedy works for every pig, and some take awhile to show effects.
The most popular are the glucosamine supplements. The formulas for humans are the most readily available, the formulas for horses are less expensive.
Other remedies people use are Sea Cucumber and Cod Liver Oil capsules. The Cod Liver Oil caps can cause stomach irritation, so always give those right before a meal.
As she continues to loose the excess weight her mobility may improve because her joints will be under less pressure.
Keep her warm, chilliness tends to increase the stiffness. Make sure she has lots and lots of extra soft bedding. There's a special cushion sold for horse stalls, it provides extra padding and helps retain body warmth. Make sure her feet are trimmed properly, badly trimmed or overgrown feet force the foot and leg into awkward, sometimes painful, positions.
Some people do give their pigs Baby asprin. Aside from the danger of stomach ulcers, long term use can change the clotting factors in the blood.