How to Vaccinate a Pig

Whether you have pigs as pets or as livestock, they must be vaccinated against potential diseases. Pig herds are extremely vulnerable to contagious diseases, which can spread rapidly among the animals. Keeping up with your pig's vaccinations can keep your pig healthy and safe. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what your pigs are used for. If you raise livestock for human consumption, they will need different vaccinations than pigs used for pets. Pigs used for human consumption need vaccines that are approved for this use.

2. Learn what diseases are prevalent in your area and vaccinate accordingly. Different diseases threaten different geographic areas. A local veterinarian can tell you what diseases are active in your area.

3. Know what vaccines you need for pregnant pigs. If you have pigs for breeding, they need extra care before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy. Some vaccines are not safe to use on pregnant pigs and can be harmful to the babies.

4. Vaccinate growing pigs at the proper stages of life. Some vaccines are available for young pigs that are still nursing. These vaccines help the pigs stay healthy from the start, before being introduced to the entire herd of pigs.

5. Keep up with disease outbreaks in your area. Your veterinarian can warn you if any diseases are causing sickness or death to pigs in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• Vaccinating your pigs at the same time each year can help you keep the vaccines up-to-date. Keep health records on each pig in case you need proof of vaccinations.
• Not vaccinating your pig or pig herd can be fatal for the pigs. Some vaccines are optional; but some are necessary for the health and life of your pig.

Resources

• Find pig vaccines at valuevet.com.