Mini Pigs

Question 1

What is the preferred surgical position for removal of uterine tumors or late pregnancy in mini pigs?
A) dorsal
B) lateral
C) dorsolateral

Answer 1

C) dorsolateral - this helps prevent aortocaval compression which can be fatal

Question 2

In mini pigs, which of the following is true?
A) mast cell tumors are usually benign
B) hepatic neoplasia is common in animals between 2-8 years of age
C) squamous cell carcinoma can be visually distinguished from sunburn

Answer 2

A) mast cell tumors are usually benign
(Hepatic neoplasia common in animals >10y and squamous cell carcinoma can look identical to sunburn)

Question 3

Which of the following is true:
A) there are different species of mini pigs
B) the kunekune pig was originally a New Zealand meat pig
C) the Gottingen and Panepinto mini pigs typically weigh less than 20kg at maturity

Answer 3

B
- all pet pigs, just like all production pigs, are Sus scrofa domesticus and merely different breeds
- The smallest breed listed in the Potbellied pig vet med textbook (2023) is the Panepinto which can be as light as 25kg at maturity

Question 4

What flavor do pigs prefer?
A) sweet
B) salty
C) bitter

Answer 4

A

Question 5

If an intact male pig is chomping its mouth and producing foam, what does this indicate?
A) toxin ingestion
B) rabies
C) sexual arousal

Answer 5

C
Pigs will also perform this behavior when anticipating food

Question 6

How long is a pig’s estrus cycle? How frequently do they go into estrus? How long is the gestation period?

Answer 6

2-3 days, every 21 days, 113-115 days

Question 7

Which of the following is not a common congenital abnormality seen in mini pigs?
A) mule foot
B) polydactyly
C) arthrogryposis

Answer 7

C) - arthrogryposis is caused by exposure to toxic plants such as tobacco stalks or jimsonweed

Question 8

Is ovariectomy recommended in mini pigs?

Answer 8

No, as older pigs may develop uterine pathology which requires a second spay procedure.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a secondary sexual characteristic of male mini pigs?
A) thin tail tassel
B) dense fibrous shoulder plates
C) hyperkeratosis of the scrotum

Answer 9

A) thin tail tassel
Intact males have thick tail tassels

Question 10

What percentage of mini pigs boars are cryptorchid according to a 2019 study?

Answer 10

Between 10.9-31.4%

Question 11

If a mini pig is cryptorchid, which testicle is more likely to remain intraabdominal?

Answer 11

The left testicle (Skelton et al 2021)

Question 12

What are three options available for mini pig restraint?

Answer 12

1) flipping the pig into dorsal recumbency
2) swine sling
3) chemical restraint
(Also belly rubs for minor/quick procedures in amenable pigs)

Question 13

Which joint in mini pigs is most likely to be affected by arthritis?
A) shoulder
B) elbow
C) stifle

Answer 13

B) elbow

Question 14

Which of the following clinical signs is supportive of a scabies infection in a mini pigs?
A) excoriations, alopecia, and erythema
B) a “rusty” appearance with small brown crusts surrounding follicles
C) raised, round, red papules

Answer 14

A) excoriations, alopecia, and erythema
B=yeast infection
C=insect bite hypersensitivity or contact allergy

Question 15

What normal structure of male pigs can be confused with an abdominal hernia?

Answer 15

Preputial diverticulum (butterfly shaped sac that surrounds the preputial opening on the mid abdomen)
This may swell dramatically immediately post castration (not a sign of pathology, decreases in size later)

Question 16

Which of the following is not a normal gland of the mini pig?
A) mental gland
B) carpal gland
C) infraorbital gland

Answer 16

C) infraorbital gland
Mental gland is between the mandibular ramuses on ventral jaw; carpal glands are on the medial aspect of the front limbs between the accessory digits and the elbow

Question 17

What is the best treatment for dippity pig syndrome?
A) ampicillin
B) tetanus toxoid
C) benign neglect

Answer 17

C) benign neglect
Will resolve on its own in 3-4 days
Cause of this condition is unknown

Question 18

Which site is preferred for intramuscular injection in mini pigs?
A) lateral neck
B) quadriceps
C) epaxials

Answer 18

A) lateral neck

Question 19

Which veins are available for phlebotomy in mini pigs? Which vein is the preferred IV catheter site?

Answer 19

• Auricular, cranial vena cava, cephalic, jugular, orbital sinus, radial vein, saphenous veins, subcutaneous abdominal vein, tail vein
• Auricular vein

Question 20

Which mini pig breed has been documented to have the genetic defect associated with porcine stress syndrome?
A) kunekune
B) Julianne
C) Gottingen

Answer 20

C) Gottingen (also suspected in a potbellied pig case)

Question 21

Which structure makes mini pig intubation more challenging?
A) esophageal diverticulum
B) pharyngeal diverticulum
C) epiglottis

Answer 21

B) pharyngeal diverticulum - blind pouch in the caudodorsal pharynx that can trap the endotracheal tube and be damaged, causing bleeding and pharyngeal edema. A potential sequelae is airway obstruction.
Mini pigs also have a tracheal bronchus cranial to carina which can lead to inadvertent bronchial intubation, leading to hypoxemia and inadequate inhalant anesthetic uptake.

Question 22

Which of the following are clinical signs of pain in mini pigs?
A) lip smacking
B) postural changes
C) bruxism
D) all of the above

Answer 22

D) all of the above
Postural changes can include hunching, kneeling, and frequent repositioning
Other signs could include decreased appetite/activity level, changes in gait, and vocalization

Question 23

How can anesthetists avoid entering the pharyngeal diverticulum?

Answer 23

1) enter the tube into the larynx with the tube arc facing ventrally (tip oriented dorsally), then rotate the tube 180 degrees once through the larynx

2) pass a stylet into the trachea then thread endotracheal tube over stylet

Question 24

What is false about mini pig castrations/anatomy?
A) pigs can be neutered within 2 weeks of birth as testicles are palpable within the scrotum at birth
B) skin sutures are recommended
C) inguinal hernia is a common complication

Answer 24

B) skin sutures are not recommended due to stress of restraint associated with removal

Testicles descend into the scrotum in the last 30 days of gestation for pigs.
Pigs have open inguinal rings but surgical closure of the inguinal ring carries a higher risk of postoperative complications. Closed castration is preferable when possible to avoid exposure of the abdominal cavity.

Question 25

How can mini pig uterine horns be differentiated from intestines? A) uterine horns have longitudinal striations B) uterine horns are thicker/more turgid C) intestinal loops are thin walled and have more vascularization over their surfaces D) all of the above

Answer 25

D) all of the above

Question 26

What are the most common cutaneous neoplasms of mini pigs?

Answer 26

Mast cell tumor, melanocytoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma

Question 27

What is the most common behavioral problem in pet pigs?

Answer 27

Aggression

Question 28

What is the classic posture of an arthritic pig?

Answer 28

Hunched posture with hind limbs tucked under body and forelimbs held straight, scooting backwards instead of moving forward; may also assume a “kneeling” posture

Question 29

Which joints are not commonly associated with arthritis in mini pigs? A) elbow B) spine C) hips D) stifle E) shoulder F) c, d, and e

Answer 29

F) c, d, & e - common arthritis sites include elbow, carpus/tarsus, joints of the distal limbs, and spine

Question 30

What is the single most effective treatment for arthritic mini pigs?

Answer 30

Weight loss if overweight

Question 31

What is the most common cause of epistaxis in mini pigs? A) chronic rhinitis B) nasal foreign body C) toxin ingestion D) squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 31

D) squamous cell carcinoma

Question 32

What is the top differential for a mini pig presenting with high fever, stiff gait, and rhomboid erythematous raised skin lesions? A) erysipelas B) dippity pig syndrome C) mycoplasma

Answer 32

A) erysipelas

Question 33

What is the most common postoperative complication in abdominal surgeries of mini pigs? A) dehiscence B) infection C) adhesions

Answer 33

C) adhesions -pigs readily scar and form abdominal adhesions post celiotomy. IP administration of sodium carboxymethylcellulose prior to manipulation of the intestine and immediately before closure of the abdominal wall may help reduce risk according to a retrospective study (Ludwig 2017).

Question 34

What is a high risk potential complication of a fracture of the distal humeral condyle in a mini pig?

Answer 34

Fracture of the contralateral condyle due to changes in weight bearing onto the unaffected limb. Humeral condyle fractures are best repaired with surgery in this species.

Question 35

Which fracture is very common in young/immature mini pigs due to late or incomplete ossification, and is challenging to identify on radiographs?

Answer 35

Fracture of the distal humeral condyle - usually the medial condyle. CT or MRI is best for diagnosis since the pig forelimbs have limited flexibility for radiograph positioning.

Question 36

What is the most common reason for shoulder joint disorders in mini pigs? A) arthritis B) trauma C) congenital

Answer 36

C) congenital Many of these animals develop severe limb deformities early in life (valgus, limb contracture, loss of ROM).

Question 37

What is the prognosis for a mini pig requiring a limb amputation?

Answer 37

Poor. Better for hindlimb amputation than forelimb amputation. Will suffer joint laxity and arthritis in contralateral limb. Outcomes are worse in younger animals (<5 years) that are still actively growing.

Question 38

What has been a reported cause of fistulous tract development in a kunekune pig? A) foreign body B) gunshot wound C) feed impaction

Answer 38

C) feed impaction - Baumgardner et al 2020

Question 39

What disorder in mini pigs can manifest as an oral “crater” with impacted feed material and osteolysis?

Answer 39

Oral squamous cell carcinoma

Question 40

What type of treatment was reported for diffuse squamous cell carcinoma in a pot bellied pig by Weissman et al 2020? A) radiation B) aggressive surgical resection C) electrochemotherapy

Answer 40

C) electrochemotherapy The pig was treated with eight sessions of electrochemotherapy over the course of one year: 15 IU/m2 of bleomycin intravenously 5 minutes prior to electroporation (series of electrical pulses (1200–1300 V) delivered to the lesions in a grid pattern). The pig tolerated electrochemotherapy without evidence of myelosuppression or substantial gastrointestinal upset and had mild local inflammation/irritation following treatments. At the time of submission, the pig was 18 months post diagnosis and in a sustained partial remission. A new lesion in an untreated location has slowly grown over 2 months.

Question 41

Presumptive fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in a pot bellied pig - Darby et al 2021 Canadian vet journal

Question 42

Spinal stabilization using a polyvinilidine (Lubra) plate in a potbellied pig. Vet Rec case report 2020, Castel et al

Question 43

Miniature pet pig behavioral medicine - Tynes VCNE 2021

Question 44

Surgical arthritis for tx of chronic shoulder joint luxation in a Vietnamese pot bellied pig. Dubois 2020 JAVMA

Question 45

Presence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia and uterine tumors in older pet pigs in the UK. Wood et al. Vet Rec Case Reports 2020.

Question 46

What clinical pathology sign that is nearly pathognomonic for rabies virus infection is rarely seen in porcine cases?

Answer 46

Usually do not have Negri body inclusions visible.

Question 47

Neuropathology and diagnostic features of rabies in a litter of piglets, with a brief review of the literature. Siepker et al 2020 J Vet Diagn. investigation

Question 48

Unusual severe fungal pneumonia in Vietnamese potbelly pigs: two cases. Heller et al 2020 Vet Rec CR

Question 49

What percentage of 106 pet pigs undergoing castration developed a postoperative complication?

Answer 49

4.7%

Question 50

What postoperative complication was noted to occur in a retrospective review of 106 pet pigs undergoing castration?

Answer 50

Peri-incisional swelling

Question 51

What postoperative complication of castration surgery in pet pigs has been associated with closure of the inguinal ring?

Answer 51

Peri-incisional swelling, 6.6x more likely to develop

Question 52

Which of the following was associated with postoperative complications in pet pigs that were castrated? A) leaving a scrotal incision open B) leaving a prescrotal incision open C) closing the inguinal ring

Answer 52

C) closing the inguinal ring carried a 6.6x higher risk of postoperative peri-incisional swelling. All pigs were castrated prescrotally in this retrospective study, and the incisions were closed in 59.4% of cases and left open in 22.6% of cases, but incision closure method did not affect outcomes

Question 53

Which of the following was associated with postoperative complications in pet pigs that were castrated? A) age at time of surgery B) weight at time of surgery C) closing the inguinal ring

Answer 53

C) closing the inguinal ring was associated with a 6.6x higher incidence of peri-incisional swelling. Age and weight did not affect complication incidence rate.