Sound Advice for Your Pet Pig
Courtesy of The North American Pet Pig Assn.
Here are some simple things you can do to keep your vet bills down without sacrificing the quality of care that your pet pig receives.
- Use a Veterinarian College
Have a veterinary college nearby? Check to see what they charge for their services. They typically offer a sizable discount over what the local vet clinics and animal hospitals charge because they have lots of students who need to gain hands-on experience. Your pet pig will be seen by a student, but all care will be overseen by an experienced veterinarian.
- Ask for written prescriptions
Most vets mark up the medications they sell considerably. Insist on a hard copy prescription that your pet pig needs, so you can shop around for the best deal. If it’s a medication that’s also used to treat humans, you may be able to fill it at your local pharmacy. If it’s available in a generic form, you may even be able to fill it at Walmart for $4.
Of course, free prescriptions are better still, Always ask your vet if they have free samples available before you rush out to fill a prescription. This is a smart move if you’re trying out a new drug that you aren’t sure will agree with your pet pig.
- Take advantage of specials
Many vets offer a new patient discount and/or a multi-pet discount. If you already have a vet that you’re happy with, find out if they ever run a deal on dental cleaning or other preventative care services. If they do, be sure to schedule your pet pig’s visit then.
Many organizations, like the Humane Society, offer vaccination, microchip, spay/neuter events which some will include potbellied pigs throughout the year to ensure low-cost pet care is available to the community. Just show up, and you’ll be able to take advantage of the discounted services.
Check with your local organization to find out when the next event is scheduled. If they don’t have anything planned, they may know of other organizations that do.
- Consider all your options
Listen to the course of action your vet suggests. Then ask what other options are available. They may have a cheaper option .
- Look into Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be a good deal, but it’s important to understand what it covers and what it excludes before you buy. If you decide that your pet pig your vet takes the insurance that you’re considering. It’s important to find a company they work with. Many insurance companies offer multi pet discounts, so pet insurance may be a better deal for multi pet households. Nationwide Insurance has a lot to offer for potbellied pigs.
- Maintain your pet pig’s weight
Make sure your pet pig get the right amount of food and plenty of exercise. A pet pig with a healthy weight is less likely to suffer from arthritis. And dishing out the proper portions also means less food expense for you. A win-win.
- Micro Chip your pet pig
We encourage all pet pigs to be micro chipped for safety reasons, reuniting with family and protection, if auctioned off.
- Schedule annual exams
Take your pet pig for yearly check-ups, so the vet catches problems before they turn into something big and expensive. Early detention will save you money and ensure your pet pig maintains a good quality of life.
- Seek out Animal Welfare Charities
If your pet pig requires care that you can’t afford, there are organizations that may be able to help. The Humane Society maintains a page of animal welfare charities. The Pet Fund offers vet assistance which has a guideline to follow and other links that also could help with pet pigs.
Colleges of Veterinarian Medicine typically offer a sizable discount over vet clinics and animal hospitals.
Alabama
Auburn University
College of Veterinarian Medicine
(334) 844-4546
https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/
Tuskegee University
School of Veterinary Medicine
(334) 727-8174
https://www.tuskegee.edu/
Arizona
Midwestern University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(623) 572-3215
http://www.midwestern.edu/
University of Arizona
College of Veterinary Medicine
(520) 621-2355
http://www.arizona.edu
California
Western University of Health Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
(909) 469-5628
https://www.westernu.edu/
Colorado
Colorado State University
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
(970) 491-7051
http://www.csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu
Florida
University of Florida
College of Veterinary Medicine
(352) 392-4202
www.vetmedd.ufl.edu
Georgia
University of Georgia
College of Veterinary Medicine
(706) 542-3000
www.vet.uga.edu
Illinois
University of Veterinarian Medicine
(217) 333-2760
www.vetmed.illinois.edu
Indiana
Purdue University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(765) 494-7607
www.vet.purdue.edu
Iowa
Iowa State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(515) 294-1242
www.vetmed.iastate.edu
Kansas
Kansas State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(785) 532-5660
www.vet.ksu.edu
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
School of Veterinary Medicine
(225) 578-9900
www.vetmed.lsu.edu
Massachusetts
Tuft University
School of Veterinary Medicine
(508) 839-5302
www.tufts.edu/vet
Michigan
Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(517) 355-9793
www.cvm.msu.edu
Minnesota
University of Minnesota
College of Veterinary Medicine
(612) 625-5000
www.cvm.umn.edu
Mississippi
Mississippi State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(662) 325-3432
http://www.cvm.msstate.edu
Missouri
University of Missouri-Columbia
College of Veterinary Medicine
(573) 882-3877
www.cvm.missouri.edu
New York
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(607) 253-3700
www.vet.cornell.edu
Long Island University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(516) 299-3679
https://liu.edu/vetmed
North Carolina
North Carolina State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(919) 513-6200
www.cvm.ncs.edu
Ohio
The Ohio State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(614) 292-1171
www.vet.ohio-state.edu
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(405) 744-6961
www.cvm.okstate.edu
Oregon
Oregon State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(541) 737-2098
www.vet.orst.edu
Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
(215) 898-5438
www.vetupenn.edu
Tennessee
University of Tennessee
College of Veterinary Medicine
(865) 974-7262
www.vet.utk.edu
Lincoln Memorial University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(423) 869–7150
www.lmunet.edu
Texas
Texas A & M University
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
(979) 845-5051
www.cvm.tamu.edu
Texas Tech University
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
(806) 834-1291
www.depts.ttu.edu
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
(540) 231-7666
www.vetmed.vy.edu
Washington
Washington State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
(509) 335-9515
www.vetmed.wsu.edu
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
(608) 263-6716
www.vetmed.wisc.edu