Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs: Emergency Care for a Protruding Vaginal Mass
- See your vet immediately. A protruding pink to red mass from the vulva in a gilt or sow is an emergency because the tissue can dry out, swell, bleed, become infected, or be injured by pen mates.
- Vaginal prolapse is seen most often in late pregnancy, especially in the last third of gestation or close to farrowing, but other problems can look similar, including uterine prolapse, bladder eversion, or a vaginal polyp.
- Until your pig is seen, keep her in a clean, quiet area away from other pigs, prevent rubbing or biting, and do not force tissue back in unless your vet has told you how to do it.
- Treatment may include cleaning and replacing the tissue, a vulvar retention stitch or tape, pain control, anti-inflammatory medication, and management changes. Severe, damaged, or recurrent cases may need surgery, assisted farrowing, or humane euthanasia.
- Typical 2025-2026 US cost range: about $250-$700 for farm-call exam and replacement/retention in a straightforward case, and roughly $800-$2,500+ if sedation, surgery, hospitalization, assisted delivery, or intensive care is needed.
What Is Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs?
See your vet immediately. Vaginal prolapse in pigs means part of the vaginal tissue pushes outward through the vulva and becomes visible as a pink or red mass. In many pigs, this happens during late pregnancy when hormones, tissue relaxation, and pressure inside the abdomen all increase. The exposed tissue can swell quickly, dry out, become contaminated, or be traumatized by flooring, manure, or other pigs.
This condition is different from uterine prolapse, which usually happens after farrowing, and it can also be confused with bladder eversion or other masses. That is one reason a prompt veterinary exam matters. What looks like a simple prolapse from a distance may actually be a more serious reproductive emergency.
Some prolapses are small and only appear when the pig is lying down. Others remain out even when she stands. If the prolapse persists as farrowing approaches, it can interfere with normal delivery and increase the risk of losing both the sow and the litter. Early care gives your vet more options and may improve the outcome.
Symptoms of Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs
- Pink to red tissue protruding from the vulva, especially when lying down
- A mass that stays out when standing, which is more urgent
- Swollen, dry, darkened, or dirty exposed tissue
- Bleeding, abrasions, or bite wounds on the prolapsed tissue
- Straining, repeated lying down and getting up, or discomfort
- Restlessness or reduced appetite in a late-gestation sow or gilt
- Difficulty urinating or passing manure if swelling is severe
- Trouble farrowing or failure of the cervix to open normally in advanced cases
A small, moist prolapse seen briefly can become a much bigger problem within hours. Worry more if the tissue is dark red, purple, black, bleeding, foul-smelling, contaminated, or being chewed by other pigs. Also treat it as highly urgent if your pig is close to farrowing, is straining hard, seems weak, or the mass is large enough that you are not sure whether it is vaginal, uterine, or bladder tissue.
What Causes Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs?
Vaginal prolapse in pigs is usually linked to a mix of pressure, hormones, and management factors rather than one single cause. It is most common in late gestation. Increased abdominal pressure from a large litter, extra body fat, gas or abdominal distention, and repeated straining can all push relaxed vaginal tissue outward. Older or heavily conditioned sows may be at higher risk, but gilts can be affected too.
Housing and feeding can matter. Reports in swine references note higher risk when sows are overconditioned, when feed programs contribute to abnormal fermentation and gas, or when flooring slopes too steeply toward the rear. Confinement and poor footing may also make the problem worse once tissue starts to protrude.
Feed-related estrogenic mycotoxins are another important consideration in pigs. Merck notes that vaginal prolapse in pigs is often associated with estrogenic activity of mycotoxins, especially zearalenone exposure. If several pigs have swollen vulvas, reproductive changes, or prolapse concerns, your vet may want to review the ration and consider feed testing.
Trauma, irritation, and social stress can add to the risk. Vulvar swelling in late pregnancy may attract biting from pen mates, which can worsen tissue damage and contamination. Because several reproductive and urinary problems can look alike, your vet will need to confirm the exact cause before discussing the best treatment options.
How Is Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a hands-on exam by your vet. In many cases, the appearance and timing are strongly suggestive, especially in a late-gestation sow with a protruding mass from the vulva. Your vet will assess whether the tissue is still viable, how much swelling is present, whether there is contamination or trauma, and whether the prolapse is partial or complete.
A key part of diagnosis is telling vaginal prolapse apart from other emergencies. Swine references note that bladder eversion, vaginal polyps, rectal prolapse, and uterine prolapse can be confused with one another. Your vet may perform a careful visual exam, gentle palpation, and sometimes sedation if needed for safety and a more complete evaluation.
If your pig is pregnant or near farrowing, your vet will also consider fetal status, stage of gestation, and whether the prolapse could interfere with delivery. In herd situations, your vet may recommend reviewing body condition, housing, flooring slope, ration changes, and possible mycotoxin exposure. Additional testing is case-dependent and may include vaginal swabs or culture if infection is suspected, or feed evaluation when estrogenic mycotoxins are a concern.
Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs
Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.
Budget-Conscious Care
- Urgent farm-call or clinic exam
- Cleaning and lubrication of exposed tissue
- Manual replacement if tissue is still healthy enough
- Vulvar retention tape or stitch when appropriate
- Pain control and anti-inflammatory medication selected by your vet
- Isolation from pen mates, cleaner bedding, and management changes to reduce straining
Recommended Standard Treatment
- Full veterinary reproductive exam
- Sedation or restraint as needed for safe replacement
- Thorough cleaning, reduction of swelling, and replacement of prolapsed tissue
- Retention suture or tape with a plan for monitoring and release around farrowing if needed
- Prescription pain relief and additional medications based on exam findings
- Follow-up checks for recurrence, urination, appetite, and signs of labor
- Review of body condition, ration, housing, and possible feed contamination risks
Advanced / Critical Care
- Emergency stabilization for severe swelling, bleeding, shock, or contamination
- Sedation, anesthesia, or surgical intervention when replacement is not possible or tissue is nonviable
- Hospitalization or intensive monitoring
- Assisted farrowing or surgical decision-making in complex late-gestation cases
- Treatment of secondary trauma or infection
- Herd-level investigation for recurrent cases, including feed review and possible mycotoxin testing
Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.
Questions to Ask Your Vet About Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs
Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.
- Is this definitely a vaginal prolapse, or could it be uterine tissue, bladder eversion, or another mass?
- How urgent is treatment based on the color, swelling, and condition of the exposed tissue?
- What treatment options fit my pig's stage of pregnancy and overall condition?
- Does my pig need a retention stitch or tape, and how will that be managed as farrowing gets closer?
- What signs would mean the prolapse is recurring or becoming an emergency again?
- Should we review body condition, feed changes, constipation, or gas-producing rations as possible contributors?
- Do you suspect estrogenic mycotoxins such as zearalenone, and should the feed be tested or changed?
- If this pig recovers, is future breeding still reasonable, or is recurrence likely?
How to Prevent Vaginal Prolapse in Pigs
Prevention focuses on lowering abdominal pressure, reducing tissue irritation, and catching early changes fast. Work with your vet to keep breeding pigs in an appropriate body condition through gestation. Overconditioned sows are reported to be more prone to prolapse, and late-gestation feeding programs that increase gas and abdominal distention may add risk in some herds.
Housing also matters. Good footing, clean resting areas, and flooring that does not slope excessively toward the rear can help. If pigs are group housed, reduce bullying and monitor for vulva biting or trauma, especially in late pregnancy when swelling may attract attention from pen mates.
Feed quality is another practical step. Because estrogenic mycotoxins can contribute to reproductive tract changes in pigs, ask your vet about feed review or testing if you see vulvar swelling, abnormal cycling, or multiple prolapse cases. Store feed carefully and address moisture or mold concerns quickly.
Finally, daily observation is one of the best prevention tools. A small prolapse that appears only when a sow lies down may be easier to manage than a large, damaged prolapse found later. Early veterinary guidance can help you choose conservative, standard, or advanced care based on what is safest for your pig and realistic for your situation.