Types of Syringes for Pigs

Like all livestock, pigs need regular vaccinations against disease. They may also need injections of medication due to illness, and sometimes medications must be given orally. Weak piglets may need help feeding if they are unable to eat on their own. Syringes come in a variety of styles to accommodate varying methods of administering medicine and food.

  1. Disposable

    • Disposable syringes are often used for pigs.

      Disposable syringes are often used for injecting pigs. This type of syringe is commonly available at farm and feed stores, in a wide variety of sizes. Often the syringe and the needle can be purchased separately. According to the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, the size of the syringe should be appropriate to the dosage amount to be injected. Very small syringes, such as 1 to 3 milliliters, are used for injecting small amounts of liquid, and larger syringes can be used for injecting larger doses of vaccine or medication. Disposable syringes are used because they are inexpensive and there is no chance for contamination or infection of other animals through repeated use of the same syringe.

    Automatic

    • For veterinarians or people who own a large number of pigs, automatic syringes can save a lot of time. These syringes are made to hold standard medication bottles, such as 50 cubic centimeters or 100 cubic centimeters. Some automatic syringes also connect to bottles of medication with tubing. In both cases the purpose is to rapidly inject a large number of pigs. Handling them quickly is safer for both the pigs and the veterinarian, reducing stress for the pigs and exposure to angry animals for the veterinarian.

    Oral

    • Special syringes which attach to long tubes are used to feed or medicate pigs. These syringes look different than those used to give injections. An oral syringe often is shaped like a "T" or an "X." These syringes have connections for tubing, a plunger, and one or two grips which allow the user to hold the syringe while forcing the contents through the tubing. Tubing is normally inserted into the pig's mouth, down its esophagus, and into its stomach. Pigs don't enjoy being force fed, so use of oral syringes is usually reserved for very weak, ill animals, often piglets that have not been able to eat on their own. Healthy adults typically won't allow the use of a medication tube.