Worming Your Pig
Worming For Internal and External Parasites
Pigs should be dewormed on a regular basis for internal and external parasites. These parasites are common in the pig’s environment, especially those that root and graze or spend time outdoors. They can contract parasites from soil, grazing, other pets, other pigs, eating bugs (including earth worms or mealworms), contact with hay, even if pig parents have horses or work in a barn they can bring parasites to their indoor pigs. Most of these parasites will show no symptoms until after they have taken a toll on your pig’s health. Many of the parasites will not show up on a fecal exam.
A regular schedule of two broad spectrum dewormers will kill the internal and external parasites your pigs are prone to carrying. Pigs should be dewormed every 4-6 months depending on your area. Two easily accessible and easily dosed dewormers that will cover the common parasites found in pet pigs are Ivermectin (brand name Ivomec or Noromectin) and fenbendazole (brand name Safe-guard).
Both dewormers can be found over the counter at local feed stores, Tractor supply, or online at Amazon, Jeffers, KV Vet Supply, etc. Both dewormers can be given orally (no need for stressful injections) at home.
Ivermectin (name brand Ivomec or Noromectin) –Treats, mites, lice, and a variety of internal parasites.
Use 1% injection solution labeled for swine. With a small syringe, dose 0.2 cc or ml per 10 pounds of body weight to mix with pig’s food. Your pig will need 2 doses, 14 days apart. Repeat these 2 doses every 4-6 months. This bottle will cost between $30-60 but will last years in a normal pet household. Check expiration date.
The injectable formula tastes bitter given orally so mix with food to cover the taste. This will ensure a stress free deworming; the pigs think they’re getting a special treat. Mix with yogurt, canned pumpkin, apple sauce or squirt into a piece of bread, Oreo cookie, into a strawberry or grape… whatever their favorite food is.
Fenbendazole (name brand Safe-guard) – for tapeworms, whipworms, ascarids. Safeguard for goats, 10% suspension (100 mg/ml) is an excellent choice, but does not treat mites or lice. Therefore, this is an excellent addition to Ivermectin but should not replace it. Dosing with this oral suspension is easy. Mix 0.1 ml or cc per 10 lbs. of body weight, mixed into food such as canned pumpkin or yogurt. This dose should be given once a day for three days in a row. If worms are suspected, repeat the 3 day dosing two weeks after the first dosing. Regular schedule for Fenbendazole is every 4-6 months.