Pot Bellied Pig Hernia Treatment

Pigs have similar anatomical structures--particularly with internal organs--as humans. This is why pig bodies are frequently used for medical testing purposes, such as for surgeons looking to practice medical procedures. This similarity also means that animals such as pot-bellied pigs can get many of the same medical problems that humans get with their organs, including a hernia.

  1. Types

    • Much like with humans, hernias occur in pigs when an organ or part of an organ becomes dislodged or protrudes through the cavity that typically holds it in place. These are frequently related to the abdomen, but can involve a large number of organs. A hernia in a pig can be hereditary (such as an umbilical hernia), although it can also occur as a result of an injury or other physical activity. One common cause of hernias among pot-bellied pigs is during the neutering process in males.

    Identification

    • Pigs who are sick will act sick, typically eating less than normal or not at all. A difference in personality also might be noticeable as the pet pig who was outgoing and friendly becomes shy and reclusive. A pig will also adopt a unique stance when it has a stomach issue such as a hernia, with their back hunched and hind legs far behind its body.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The most common hernia with a pot-bellied pig is a scrotal hernia, which occurs when a pigs' intestines protrude into the sac that holds its testicles and causes a rupture. This will require a surgical procedure, during which time the surgeon will push the intestines into out of the cavity it has sunk into and back into its normal position before sewing the cavity shut to prevent future hernias. Neutering the pig is also recommended during this surgery as a further preventative procedure.

    Warning

    • Like with any surgery on a pet, hernia surgery does have a risk of complications. However, any risks of problems during surgery are far outweighed by the potentially fatal condition of having a hernia. It is important to make sure that your vet has experience treating pot-bellied pig hernias before agreeing on a surgical procedure - because of the relative rarity of pot-bellied pigs versus dogs and cats, not all vets have practical experience with the issue.

    Theories/Speculation

    • A paper published by researchers at the Medical Institute for General Hygiene and Environmental Medicine in Germany in 2007 showed that pigs with scrotal and inguinal hernias had significantly less of the Ca2+ protein kinases than normal pigs, suggesting a previously-undiscovered relationship between the two.