Pot-Bellied Pig Bites

Question
We found a small (8-10 weeks old, we think) male pot-bellied pig last week under our truck right in our driveway!  We have called the vet in our area who has put a notice on his bulletin board, we have searched the lost ads, asked neighbors, and went to homes on the next street to see if anyone knows who it belongs to.  No luck.

We have set up a dog kennel with pine shavings and newspaper, clean water source, fed it with a mixture of oats, corn meal, cream of rice, handful of dog food, and a small quantity of various fruits and vegetables.  We purchased a harness to which we attach a dog leash to remove it from the kennel to try to house train it in kitty litter box.

My question is:  The harness became loosened about an hour ago and slipped back on its pot belly toward its tail.  As I attempted to remove it it, the pig became upset and bit me.  It did break the skin on the palm of my hand--a very small puncture wound.  I immediately washed it with antibacterial soap, poured both rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide on it.  It bled just a tiny bit, but now I'm worried that I could get rabies or some other disease from this pig I know nothing about.  

Please advise.  Thank you.

Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,
I'm surprised to hear you've been bitten. Pigs jaws do not open very wide, and a 8 - 10 week old baby will still have baby (nursing) teeth.
Normally pigs react to pain or demonstrate aggression (or a desire to be left alone) by swiping the head hard to one side, with the mouth open. When an adult pig (esp males with tusks) makes this move the long, sharp teeth can, very rarely, break the skin, leaving a long scratch or gouge.
As far as disease goes, it's almost unheard of for pigs to get rabies (although technically it's possible, because they are warm blooded mammals). Pigs do get a disease with similar symptoms, called pseudorabies, but the virus that causes it is very different and can not affect people.
The real danger from any bite is the bacteria that live in the mouth, and any over the counter anti-bacterial wound treatment, like Bactine or Neosporin, will prevent that kind of infection.
As you've already learned, dog harnesses are not made for pigs, and just don't work well. I suggest a pig harness, designed to stay on the pig's body. I think Pigtailz Junction (www.pigstuff.com) carries them.
Dog food isn't good for pigs, the protien & fat content are too high. I'm happy to see you've given the pig lots of natural foods with plenty of natural fiber. Pig chow is available at many pet food chains, like PetSmart (some stores must special order it), or feed mills. Farm Hog finisher (NOT "grower" or "starter") is also good.
Pig Placement Network has free classified ads, you might want to place a Lost Pig notice there. The site also includes a lot of pig care information. www.pigplacementnetwork.com
You can also find information about pot-bellied pigs at www.pigsaspets.org