Preventive Care for Pigs: Checkups, Vaccines, Parasite Control, and Hoof Care

A routine pig checkup often includes weight and body condition review, skin and coat assessment, hoof inspection, oral exam, and discussion of appetite, stool quality, activity, and behavior. Your vet may also review housing, flooring, outdoor access, and diet, because these factors strongly affect hoof wear, parasite exposure, and long-term mobility.

Bring a fresh stool sample if your clinic requests one. Merck recommends routine checks for worms, and fecal testing can help your vet decide whether treatment is needed instead of deworming on a fixed schedule. Older pigs may also benefit from bloodwork to screen organ function, especially before sedation or if there are changes in weight, thirst, or energy.

For many pet pigs in the United States, erysipelas is the vaccine most commonly discussed as part of routine preventive care. Merck states that young pigs are often first vaccinated at or after 4 weeks of age, receive a second dose 3 to 4 weeks later, and then get boosters every 6 to 12 months depending on the product and your vet's plan.

Some pigs may also receive tetanus, leptospirosis, or combination vaccines. Vaccine choices depend on local disease risk, whether your pig goes outdoors, contact with other pigs, breeding status, travel, and regional regulations. Commercial herd vaccines used in production pigs are not automatically appropriate for every pet pig, so your vet should guide the schedule.

Pet pigs commonly deal with external parasites such as mites and internal parasites such as roundworms, whipworms, and coccidia. VCA notes that pet pigs often carry mites that can cause sarcoptic mange, and Merck notes that some pig parasites can also pose health risks to people. That is one reason routine screening and good hygiene matter.

A practical parasite plan usually combines fecal testing, treatment when indicated, manure cleanup, dry bedding, and limiting exposure to contaminated soil or standing water. Merck also notes that some parasite eggs can survive in the environment for years, so pasture rotation and sanitation help but may not fully remove risk. Your vet may recommend targeted deworming instead of repeated routine treatment to reduce unnecessary medication use.

Healthy hooves support normal movement, weight-bearing, and comfort. Merck states that exercise on abrasive surfaces such as concrete can help wear hoof ends naturally, while pigs without that kind of wear may need trimming annually or more often. VCA adds that some pigs need trims every few months depending on the surface they walk on every day.

Watch for long toes, curling hoof walls, cracks, uneven wear, reluctance to walk, kneeling, shifting weight, or a pig that resists standing. Hoof trims may be done awake in a well-trained pig, but many pigs need sedation for safe, low-stress handling. Training your pig to tolerate foot touching and belly rubs can make future care much easier.

Do not wait for the next routine visit if your pig develops lameness, hoof bleeding, foul odor from the feet, severe itching, crusty skin, hair loss, diarrhea, weight loss, poor appetite, or sudden lethargy. These signs can point to painful hoof disease, mange, internal parasites, infection, or another medical problem that needs prompt evaluation.

See your vet immediately if your pig cannot stand, has rapid breathing, collapses, has a swollen painful limb, or shows severe weakness. Preventive care works best when routine visits are paired with early attention to new symptoms.

Cost ranges vary by region, clinic type, and whether sedation is needed. In many U.S. practices in 2025-2026, a routine pig wellness exam often falls around $90-$180. Fecal testing commonly ranges from $35-$80, and individual vaccine visits may add about $25-$60 per vaccine plus exam fees.

Hoof trimming is often the biggest variable. A straightforward awake trim may range from about $80-$180, while a sedated hoof trim commonly lands around $200-$500 or more when sedation, monitoring, and recovery are included. If bloodwork is recommended before sedation, that may add roughly $90-$220. Your vet can help you prioritize what matters most now and what can be scheduled over time.