HEALTH
PROBLEMS
All visitors (especially from abroad) to pig farms with a fever, headaches, cold or other signs of flu
should be politely asked not to visit the farm or pigs. Clinical signs of the flu
In the meantime, avoid "casual" visits to your pigs. This is a particular concern for sanctuaries.
There is no reason to panic. Types of H1N1 have been in North American pigs for over 90 years without causing disease in people.
This will have been an extremely rare and possibly a one of event.
Swine Influenza is a zoonotic disease and can be transmitted to people to pigs and pigs to people.
If any manager or owner of a pig farm suspects any notifiable disease the vet should be informed immediately
More information on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in humans
Note, if any of our pets demonstrate signs of influenza contact your local veterinarian.
Do not take the pig to the veterinarian and isolate
the pig (where possible) from the other pigs on the property.
Treatment advice
for swine influenza
During its lifetime your pig may need the
attention of a veterinary surgeon, especially if you have never looked after
pigs before. Failure to get professional
help when your pet is off-colour could well delay its recovery and may even be
life-threatening. It is advisable,
therefore, to check that the local veterinary surgery, particularly if located
in an urban area, has ‘in-house’ expertise in dealing with pigs.
Flu treatments |
Failure to eat
This can be due to several things, such as:
(a) the pig having a high temperature when it
will feel hot, especially around its ears and may be breathing rapidly with its
mouth open – then you must call your vet;
(b) the pig doesn’t like the food that is
offered;
(c) the pig has already eaten too much; and
(d) sufficient water is not available.