Ocular abnormalities in pet and sanctuary-housed domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus)-a retrospective evaluation of 36 patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe ocular abnormalities of pet and sanctuary-housed domestic pigs presented to an academic veterinary hospital.

METHODS

Electronic medical records at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals were searched for pigs having undergone a complete ophthalmic examination by a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists between 2011 and 2024. Signalment, examination findings, diagnoses, and treatments were reviewed.

RESULTS

36 domestic pigs of a variety of breeds were represented, including Vietnamese pot-bellied (22 of 36), American Miniature (4 of 36), Yorkshire (2 of 36), Berkshire (1 of 36), mixed breed (2 of 36), and unknown breeds (5 of 36). Most ocular abnormalities were adnexal with the following abnormalities diagnosed: excessive periocular fat ("fat blindness"; 8 of 36), corneal ulceration (8 of 36), blepharitis/periocular dermatitis (7 of 36), conjunctivitis (7 of 36), entropion (3 of 36), and eyelid neoplasia (melanoma; 1 of 36). Cataracts were diagnosed in 2 (3 eyes) of 36 pigs.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide range of ocular disease impacted pet and sanctuary-housed pigs. Vision-threatening ophthalmic disease appeared to be rare, aside from functional blindness associated with excessive periocular fat.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provided veterinarians with new information on the ophthalmic diseases that affect pigs as well as approaches to treatment.