Knowing your pigs' normal habits, behaviours and appearance can help you notice illness early. Check them every day during feeding and regular care and act quickly when something changes.
Watch for changes
Pay attention to your pigs' usual appetite, activity, movement, breathing, behaviour, habits and appearance.
Watch for:
- eating or drinking less than usual
- weakness, tiredness, reduced activity or difficulty standing
- limping, moving differently or staying apart
- coughing or difficulty breathing
- vomiting or diarrhea
- weight loss or a rough hair coat
- swelling, injuries or changes in skin colour
- fever (shivering, huddling, blotchy skin)
- unusual behaviour, reduced interest and interactions
- sudden or unexplained death
Keep simple health records and note when changes begin. These signs can have many causes, so contact a veterinarian for advice.
What to do when pigs appear sick
Separate the sick pigs from the pigs that appear to be healthy and contact a veterinarian, especially if the pig is getting worse or several pigs are affected.
Until you receive advice:
- further limit access to your pigs
- stop unnecessary movement of pigs on or off the property
- Isolate sick pigs to prevent nose-to-nose contact with healthy pigs
- care for healthy pigs before sick pigs
- use separate boots, clothing, feeders and equipment
- clean and disinfect shared equipment
- record the signs you observe
Do not move a sick pig to another property, sale, show or slaughter facility unless advised that it is safe.
Set up an isolation area
An isolation area helps reduce direct and indirect contact between sick and healthy pigs.
Choose an area that:
- separates from your healthy pigs
- prevents nose-to-nose contact
- has its own feeder and water source
- can be entered without walking through other pig areas
- can be cleaned and disinfected
- keeps manure, bedding and equipment separate
Use dedicated equipment for the isolation area where possible. Mark it clearly so others know not to move equipment between areas.
Contact a veterinarian
A veterinarian can assess the signs, arrange testing and recommend next steps.
Be ready to provide:
- the number of pigs affected
- the signs you observed
- when the signs began
- whether the pigs have a fever
- recent pig movements or new arrivals
- recent visitors, deliveries or borrowed equipment
- changes in feed or water
- anything that may have exposed your pigs to disease, such as a broken fence or new contact with any pigs
- any contact with wild pigs or other animals
- recent travel to shows, sales or other farms
- photos or videos, when requested
Do not give prescription medication unless it has been prescribed by a veterinarian for that animal or herd.
Signs that may be linked to African swine fever
African swine fever (ASF) can cause signs also seen with other serious pig diseases, including:
- high fever (shivering and huddling)
- loss of appetite
- weakness or tiredness
- red, blue or darkened skin
- vomiting or diarrhea
- breathing problems
- sudden death
ASF is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. Contact a veterinarian and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency if you suspect ASF.
You cannot confirm ASF by looking at a pig. Laboratory testing is required.
Prepare before illness occurs
A simple response plan can help everyone act quickly.
Your plan should include:
- the name and number of your veterinarian
- CFIA contact information
- where you will isolate sick pigs
- dedicated clothing, footwear, and equipment that will be used only in the area
- how health observations will be recorded
Review the plan with family members, employees or anyone else who cares for your pigs.
Use the biosecurity checklist to identify other ways disease could reach your pigs and strengthen your response plan.