Anorexia is the most common presenting complaint of companion pigs: a retrospective study of 192 companion pigs (2008-2024).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the predominance of presenting complaints, diagnoses, and serum biochemistry abnormalities of companion pigs.

METHODS

In a retrospective study from January 2008 through December 2024, medical records were reviewed for companion pigs that were presented to a referral hospital and received biochemistry panels. Exclusionary criteria included healthy status and pigs < 1 year old. Year, signalment, presenting complaints, diagnoses, and biochemistry results were recorded. Frequencies were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

192 patients were included, with a total of 275 complaints and 225 diagnoses. Chief complaints were anorexia (64 of 275 [23%]), lethargy (45 of 275 [16%]), neurologic signs (24 of 275 [9%]), vomiting (23 of 275 [8%]), and abnormal urination (19 of 275 [7%]). Predominant diagnoses by system included gastrointestinal (42 of 225 [19%]), musculoskeletal (35 of 225 [16%]), and renal or urinary (35 of 225 [16%]). The most common individual diagnosis reported was an unspecified diagnosis (28 of 225 [12%]). Among frequent diagnoses, anorexia was the most consistently reported complaint. Main biochemical abnormalities included hyperglobulinemia (74 of 192 [39%]), hypomagnesemia (72 of 192 [38%]), hypoalbuminemia (56 of 192 [29%]), elevated BUN (51 of 192 [26%]), elevated AST (41 of 192 [21%]), hypochloremia (37 of 192 [19%]), and both hypocalcemia and elevated creatinine (35 of 192 [18%]). Among main biochemical abnormalities, anorexia and lethargy were the most consistently encountered complaints. Principal diagnosis among main biochemical abnormalities was an acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Companion pigs frequently present for nonspecific complaints associated with diverse subsets of diseases and biochemistry abnormalities.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study further expands the literature available to practitioners facing an increased prevalence of companion pigs.