Spa Days for Pigs?

As a 2nd-year veterinary student trailing 4th-year students on their Large Animal Medicine rotation, I have seen and participated in some pretty cool things. Every selective shift, I observed at least one colic diagnostic work-up — complete with history-taking, physical exam, bloodwork, rectal palpation, ultrasound, and abdominal tap. The rest of the afternoon was filled in with Jeopardy! (Surgery students vs. Medicine students), rectal palpation practice, 2pm and 4pm treatments, ophthalmology appointments, and student presentations on various categories of disease.

On one lucky occasion I was able to assist in a “Day of Beauty” appointment, when a client’s pet pig was anesthetized and treated to important routine health care. More and more people are living with companion pigs, and it’s very important to be able to provide care to these animals in the safest, least stressful way possible.

So, what exactly happens on a pig spa day? The awake pig is examined as much as is possible for that particular animal, and then the pig is put under a light plane of anesthesia. The veterinary staff can then perform a more complete physical exam and get to work trimming hoofs, giving vaccines, and trimming tusks. Even domesticated pigs have tusks, which are simply canine teeth that continue to grow throughout the animal’s life. If the tusks aren’t worn down, the pig can have trouble eating or may have injuries to its lips and mouth. After all “beauty” procedures are completed, the pig is returned to its stall to wake up amidst a pile of blankets and toys!

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Roberta

VS3 at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

Roberta is a native Vermonter who grew up hiking local trails, skiing at the “Beast of the East”, and sailing on Lake Champlain. Although discovering a deep love for music and theater in high school, Roberta was inspired to pursue veterinary medicine by her aunt, who worked as a dairy vet for a decade in rural New York before transitioning to become a small animal practice owner and a Morgan Horse breeder. Roberta graduated magna cum laude in 2014 with B.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Vermont, after a wonderful 4 years of chairing her substance-free housing program and performing as a member of the university’s band, choir, and Catamount Singers. Currently, Roberta is most interested in small animal and mixed animal practice, although she finds pretty much everything interesting. Roberta continues to enjoy volunteering for the Pet Loss Hotline, co-chairing the Arts & Culture Council, and watching Netflix with her cat Maisie.

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