Pig Health and Disease Management in the USA: Prevention, Vaccination, and Biosecurity

Understanding Pig Health Management for Small-Scale Farms

Pig health management is the systematic practice of preventing disease, monitoring wellness, and maintaining biosecurity measures to keep pigs healthy throughout their lives. For small-scale operations, effective management combines daily observation, preventive care, and knowing when professional veterinary help is essential.

Raising healthy pigs doesn’t require a veterinary degree. But it does require attention. Good pig health starts with understanding what normal looks like—how your animals move, eat, drink, and interact. Once you know normal, you’ll spot problems before they become emergencies.

Small-scale pig operations face unique challenges. You’re probably not running a climate-controlled barn with dedicated staff. Maybe your pigs live outdoors or in a converted shed. That’s fine. Plenty of heritage breeders and homesteaders raise thriving pigs without commercial-scale infrastructure. What matters is building consistent habits around observation, prevention, and biosecurity.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about keeping your pigs healthy—from daily monitoring routines to vaccination decisions to protecting your herd from outside disease threats. We’ll focus on practical, actionable information that works for real-world small farm situations.

Common Pig Health and Disease Management Issues in the USA Every Owner Should Know

Pig diseases in the USA range from relatively minor respiratory infections to devastating foreign animal diseases that could shut down the entire swine industry. Knowing which diseases pose real risks to your operation helps you make smarter prevention decisions.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory problems are probably the most common health issue you’ll encounter. Pigs cough, sneeze, and develop pneumonia with frustrating regularity—especially when weather changes or stress increases.

Mycoplasma pneumonia causes a persistent dry cough that spreads through a herd like wildfire. Infected pigs often look okay otherwise, but growth slows and feed efficiency drops. You’ll hear that distinctive “barking” cough across the pen.

PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) deserves special attention. It’s endemic in U.S. commercial herds and causes respiratory disease in growing pigs, plus reproductive failures in breeding stock. PRRS spreads easily and persists in recovered animals for months.

Swine influenza moves fast. One day, you have healthy pigs; three days later, half the barn is off feed with fevers and labored breathing. Most recover, but secondary bacterial infections can turn ugly quickly.

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Enteric and Digestive Diseases

Scours—watery diarrhea—kills more piglets than just about anything else. The causes vary by age.

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) cause explosive watery diarrhea in pigs of all ages. Piglets under two weeks old often die within 24-48 hours. Both diseases ripped through U.S. herds in recent years, and they remain a serious biosecurity concern.

E. coli scours typically hits baby pigs in the first week of life. Colostrum quality matters enormously here—piglets that don’t get adequate colostrum are sitting ducks.

Ileitis affects growing pigs and finishers, causing bloody diarrhea or chronic poor growth. You might not see obvious symptoms, just pigs that never seem to catch up.

Reproductive Diseases

If you’re breeding pigs, reproductive diseases cost you money fast.

Parvovirus causes mummified fetuses and stillbirths, especially in gilts bred for the first time. Vaccination is cheap and effective—there’s no excuse for losing litters to parvo.

Leptospirosis leads to abortions, stillbirths, and weak piglets. It’s zoonotic, too, meaning you can catch it. Rodent control matters here.

Brucellosis is a reportable disease and a serious zoonotic risk. It’s rare in modern commercial operations but can show up in feral pig populations. Any breeding problems combined with swollen joints should raise red flags.

Reportable and Foreign Animal Diseases

Some diseases carry legal obligations. If you suspect certain conditions, you’re legally required to report them to state or federal animal health officials. This isn’t optional.

African Swine Fever (ASF) tops the worry list. It’s not currently in the United States, and keeping it out is a national priority. ASF kills nearly 100% of infected domestic pigs. There’s no vaccine, no treatment. If ASF gets established here, the economic devastation would be measured in billions.

Classical Swine Fever (CSF), also called hog cholera, was eradicated from the U.S. decades ago but remains a threat in some parts of the world.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) affects all cloven-hoofed animals. An FMD outbreak would shut down livestock movement nationwide overnight.

Your responsibility as a pig owner: know the signs of unusual disease and report immediately. Blisters around the mouth and feet. Unexplained high death rates. Hemorrhaging under the skin. Don’t wait. Don’t guess. Call your veterinarian or the state veterinarian’s office.

Why Prevention Beats Treatment Every Time

Prevention is cheaper than treatment. That’s not just a saying—it’s arithmetic. A $30 vaccine prevents a disease that could cost you hundreds in treatment, lost growth, and dead pigs. Biosecurity measures that take ten minutes a day protect against outbreaks that could wipe out your entire operation.

Small-scale pig health management works best when you think prevention first. Most diseases that affect pigs are easier to keep out than to eliminate once they’re established. Once PRRS gets into your herd, for example, it’s there for years. Same with mycoplasma. Prevention isn’t just about saving money on vet bills—it’s about avoiding problems that have no good solutions.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: sick pigs rarely perform as well, even after recovery. Growth slows. Feed conversion suffers. Breeding animals may have reduced fertility. Even when you “save” a sick pig, you’ve often lost money compared to prevention.

Building Your Pig Vaccination Program

A pig vaccination protocol is a scheduled plan for administering specific vaccines at appropriate life stages to protect against common diseases. Protocols vary based on regional disease risks, herd history, and veterinary recommendations.

Why You Need a Veterinarian

Let me be direct: vaccination programs should be developed with a veterinarian. Period. The internet is full of generic schedules, but your herd isn’t generic. Disease pressure varies by region. Your management system creates specific risks. Your herd may already be exposed to certain pathogens.

A veterinarian helps you:

• Identify which diseases actually threaten your herd
• Choose appropriate vaccines and timing
• Avoid unnecessary vaccinations that waste money
• Handle vaccines correctly so they actually work
• Respond when things don’t go as planned

The risks of self-directed vaccination programs are real. Wrong vaccines. Wrong timing. Improper storage renders vaccines useless. Adverse reactions you don’t know how to handle. Skipping necessary vaccinations because you didn’t know they mattered.

Find a vet who works with pigs. Not all do. In rural areas, your options might be limited, but it’s worth the drive to establish a relationship with someone who understands swine.

Core Vaccinations by Life Stage

The following represents typical recommendations, but your specific protocol must be tailored by your veterinarian.

Piglet Vaccinations

Most piglet vaccinations happen between 3-10 weeks of age. Common targets include:

• Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae – Usually given at 3-4 weeks, sometimes with a booster
• Circovirus (PCV2) – Typically around 3 weeks of age
• Erysipelas – Often starts around 8-10 weeks

Some producers vaccinate for ileitis (Lawsonia) in growing pigs, depending on farm history.

Growing Pig Vaccinations

Growing pigs may receive boosters for diseases vaccinated earlier, plus:

• Influenza – If flu is a problem in your area or herd
• Erysipelas booster – Especially important before animals go outdoors

Breeding Stock Vaccinations

Breeding animals need protection before breeding and throughout their productive lives:

• Parvovirus – Critical before first breeding; gilts should be vaccinated twice
• Leptospirosis – Often combined with parvo in a “parvo-lepto” vaccine
• Erysipelas – Regular boosters for breeding stock
• E. coli – Sows vaccinated pre-farrowing to improve colostrum antibodies
• Clostridial diseases – Sometimes included in breeding herd protocols

Breeding gilts should complete their vaccination series at least two weeks before breeding. Sows typically receive boosters during gestation.

Vaccine Handling Basics

Even the best vaccines fail if you handle them wrong:

• Store vaccines at proper temperatures (usually 35-45°F)
• Never freeze vaccines unless specifically indicated
• Check expiration dates before purchasing and using
• Use clean, sterile equipment for every injection
• Follow the dose instructions exactly—more isn’t better
• Use vaccines promptly after mixing or opening

When vaccines need to be reconstituted, mix only what you’ll use within an hour or two. Once mixed, most vaccines begin losing potency.

Essential Biosecurity Practices for Small Farms

Pig biosecurity practices are the procedures and physical barriers that prevent disease-causing organisms from entering your farm, spreading within your herd, or leaving your property to infect other operations.

Biosecurity sounds complicated, but the principles are simple: limit what comes onto your farm, control movement within your farm, and clean up thoroughly and regularly.

The Three Zones Concept

Think of your farm in three zones:

Outside zone – The world beyond your property. Disease threats live here: other pigs, wildlife, contaminated equipment, infected boots, and delivery trucks.

Buffer zone – The transition area where outside meets inside. This is where you change clothes, disinfect boots, and park vehicles that don’t belong in pig areas.

Pig zone – Where your pigs actually live. This should be the cleanest, most protected area on your property.

Everything that enters the pig zone should pass through the buffer zone and be cleaned, changed, or disinfected appropriately.

People and Visitor Protocols

People are the biggest disease vectors. We don’t mean to spread disease, but we’re incredibly efficient at it.

For yourself:

• Designate farm-only boots and clothing
• Shower or change before entering pig areas after visiting other farms
• Avoid contact with other pigs for at least 24-48 hours before working with yours

For visitors:

• Ask about recent contact with pigs
• Provide clean boots or disposable boot covers
• Keep visitor numbers to a minimum
• Don’t let casual visitors enter pig housing

The toughest call: telling friends they can’t pet your pigs right after visiting another farm. Have that conversation anyway.

Vehicle and Equipment Control

Trucks, trailers, and equipment carry disease on tires, surfaces, and in organic matter.

• Delivery vehicles should stay outside the pig zone
• Livestock trailers should be cleaned and disinfected between loads
• Don’t borrow equipment from other pig farms without thorough cleaning
• Feed trucks should follow consistent routes that don’t cross-contaminate

If you haul your own animals, consider your trailer a potential disease vector. Clean it after every use. Let it dry completely before loading new animals.

Feed and Water Security

Contaminated feed and water spread disease efficiently.

• Store feed in rodent-proof containers
• Keep feed storage areas clean and dry
• Protect water sources from wildlife access
• Regularly clean and disinfect waterers

Feed contamination was implicated in PED outbreaks. Take feed biosecurity seriously.

Dead Animal Handling

Dead pigs need prompt, appropriate disposal:

• Remove carcasses quickly—they attract predators and scavengers
• Use composting, burial, or rendering, depending on local regulations
• Never feed dead pigs to other pigs or dogs
• Clean and disinfect areas where animals died

Check your state regulations for approved disposal methods. Some states restrict burial; others have specific composting requirements.

Wildlife and Feral Pig Risks

Wild animals pose real biosecurity threats. Birds, rodents, and especially feral pigs can introduce diseases your domestic herd has never encountered.

The Feral Pig Problem

Feral pig populations have exploded across much of the United States. These animals carry diseases, including:

• Pseudorabies
• Brucellosis
• Classical swine fever (in some countries)
• Potentially African swine fever if it reaches North America

Feral pigs also carry parasites and can interbreed with domestic pigs if given access.

Protection measures:

• Perimeter fencing that excludes feral pigs
• Double fencing around pig housing where feral pigs are prevalent
• Report feral pig sightings to state wildlife agencies
• Never allow contact between domestic and feral pigs

If you hunt feral pigs, treat hunting clothes and equipment as contaminated. Never bring feral pig carcasses near domestic pig housing.

Bird and Rodent Control

Birds and rodents spread disease through droppings, direct contact, and by contaminating feed.

• Screen openings to exclude birds from pig housing
• Maintain active rodent control programs
• Remove feed spills promptly
• Eliminate rodent harborage areas around buildings

Rodents spread leptospirosis. Birds can carry influenza. Neither belongs in your pig areas.

Quarantine Procedures: Your First Line of Defense

Quarantine means isolating new or returning animals before they contact your existing herd. It’s one of the most effective—and most neglected—biosecurity practices.

Why Quarantine Matters

New pigs look healthy at purchase. Many diseases have incubation periods where animals are infected but not yet showing signs. Without quarantine, you introduce a pig that seems fine, and two weeks later, half your herd is sick.

Quarantine allows time for:

• Diseases are becoming apparent
• Testing for specific pathogens if needed
• Acclimation to your farm’s organisms
• Veterinary examination before herd introduction

Setting Up Quarantine Facilities

Quarantine space should be:

• Physically separate from your main herd—ideally, a different building
• At least 30 feet from other pig housing (further is better)
• Supplied by separate equipment, waterers, and feed buckets
• Cleaned and disinfected between uses

If you can’t build separate facilities, ata minimum, use a different pen at the far end of your building with no shared air space or equipment.

Quarantine Duration and Protocols

Standard quarantine runs 30-60 days, depending on disease concerns and veterinary advice.

During quarantine:

• Observe new animals daily for any disease signs
• Work with new animals last—after caring for your main herd
• Use separate boots and clothing for the quarantine area
• Consider diagnostic testing for specific diseases

Only move animals to the main herd after quarantine completes with no health concerns.

Daily Health Monitoring: What to Watch For

A daily health monitoring routine is a systematic observation protocol performed each time you interact with your pigs, focused on detecting early signs of illness or injury before they become serious problems.

The best pig health management happens at the waterer, the feeder, and during quiet observation. Twice-daily monitoring takes maybe ten minutes but catches problems early when intervention works best.

Your Daily Monitoring Checklist

Walk through this list every time you check your pigs:

Appetite and Eating Behavior

• Are all pigs coming to feed?
• Is anyone hanging back or uninterested?
• Any dropped feed or difficulty chewing?
• Normal drinking behavior?

Movement and Posture

• Is everyone standing normally?
• Any lameness, stiffness, or reluctance to move?
• Pigs lying apart from the group?
• Hunched posture or tucked abdomen?

Respiratory Signs

• Coughing—dry or wet?
• Labored breathing or “thumping”?
• Nasal discharge?
• Open-mouth breathing?

Skin and Coat

• Normal color and condition?
• Any redness, spots, or lesions?
• Hair standing up (rough coat)?
• Wounds or injuries?

Manure

• Normal consistency and color?
• Diarrhea in any pens?
• Blood in feces?
• Unusual odor?

General Attitude

• Normal activity level?
• Social interactions typical?
• Any isolation or aggression changes?
• Alert and responsive?

Red Flags That Demand Immediate Attention

Some signs require action now, not tomorrow:

• Fever over 104°F in any pig
• Multiple pigs are suddenly off feed
• Difficulty breathing or blue discoloration
• Bloody diarrhea, especially in young pigs
• Neurological signs—trembling, circling, inability to stand
• Sudden unexplained deaths
• Blisters or erosions around the mouth or feet

Any of these warrants same-day veterinary contact.

Decision-Making Framework: Observe, Isolate, or Call the Vet

Not every health concern is an emergency. Part of good pig health management is knowing when to watch, when to act, and when to call for help.

When to Observe

Minor issues often resolve without intervention:

• Single pig slightly off feed but otherwise normal
• Mild lameness with no swelling or heat
• Minor wounds that appear clean
• Single loose stool in an otherwise healthy pig

Observation protocol: Check the animal more frequently (every few hours). Look for improvement or worsening. If no improvement in 24 hours, move to the next level.

When to Isolate

Isolation protects your herd while you figure out what’s happening:

• Any respiratory symptoms—coughing, nasal discharge
• Diarrhea, especially in young pigs
• Skin lesions that might be contagious
• Fever combined with any other symptom
• Unknown cause of illness

Isolation protocol: Move the animal to a separate area with dedicated equipment. Increase monitoring. Consider temperature checks twice daily. Prepare to call your vet.

When to Call the Veterinarian

Some situations need professional help:

• Fever not responding within 24 hours
• Multiple sick animals
• Severe symptoms in any category
• Any neurological signs
• Sudden deaths
• Symptoms matching reportable disease descriptions
• Any time you’re unsure

Call sooner rather than later. Early intervention usually means better outcomes and lower costs.

Common Mistakes Small-Scale Pig Keepers Make

After talking to hundreds of small-scale producers and extension agents, certain patterns emerge. These mistakes are common, understandable, and preventable.

Mistake #1: Skipping Quarantine

“The pigs looked healthy.” “I know the seller.” “I don’t have space for quarantine.”

Every one of those excuses has preceded a disease outbreak. Quarantine works. Use it.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Biosecurity Because “My Farm is Small”

Disease doesn’t care about your herd size. A backyard operation with three pigs can absolutely get PRRS, PED, or worse. Small operations are often more vulnerable because they lack the infrastructure and protocols larger farms use routinely.

Mistake #3: Self-Prescribing Antibiotics

Antibiotics don’t fix everything, and using them incorrectly creates resistance problems. Don’t buy injectable antibiotics at the feed store and start treating based on internet advice. Work with a veterinarian who can diagnose properly and prescribe appropriately.

Mistake #4: Vaccination Without Strategy

Random vaccination wastes money and doesn’t protect your herd effectively. Some producers vaccinate for diseases that aren’t present in their area while skipping vaccines that would actually help. Get professional input.

Mistake #5: Inadequate Records

When problems arise, your vet needs history. When did you vaccinate? What did you feed? When did symptoms start? Who’s related to whom? Good records make diagnosis easier and help track what works.

Mistake #6: Waiting Too Long to Call for Help

Sick pigs decline fast. A problem that’s easily fixed on Monday becomes complicated by Wednesday and catastrophic by Friday. When in doubt, call.

Your Role in Protecting the National Swine Herd

Small-scale pig owners sometimes feel disconnected from “industry” concerns. But disease doesn’t respect those boundaries. Your three backyard pigs matter to national swine health.

Why You Matter

Feral pigs often contact backyard operations before commercial farms. New pathogens entering the country might show up first in small, diverse herds. Your observations—and your willingness to report unusual disease—help protect everyone.

When you maintain biosecurity, quarantine new animals, and report suspicious illness, you’re contributing to disease surveillance that benefits every pig producer in the country.

Your Legal Responsibilities

Certain diseases must be reported to animal health officials. This isn’t optional. If you see signs consistent with African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, or other reportable conditions, you’re legally required to report.

This protects you, too. Early detection of a foreign animal disease meansa rapid response that might contain the outbreak before it destroys your herd, your neighbor’s herd, and the regional swine industry.

Who to Call

• Your veterinarian (first call for any health concern)
• State veterinarian’s office
• USDA Veterinary Services: 1-866-536-7593

Program that number into your phone. If you ever see something truly alarming—sudden deaths, blistering around mouths and feet, hemorrhaging—don’t wait. Call immediately.

Creating Your Farm Health Plan

A written health plan keeps you organized and ensures nothing falls through the cracks. It also demonstrates responsible ownership if questions ever arise about your operation.

Elements of a Basic Health Plan

Your plan should include:

Herd information

• Number and type of pigs
• Housing and facilities description
• Normal stocking density

Health protocols

• Vaccination schedule (developed with your vet)
• Parasite control program
• Routine health monitoring procedures

Biosecurity measures

• Entry protocols for people and vehicles
• Quarantine procedures
• Cleaning and disinfection schedules

Emergency contacts

• Primary veterinarian
• Emergency/after-hours vet
• State veterinarian’s office
• Closest veterinary diagnostic lab

Record-keeping systems

• Health treatment records
• Vaccination records
• Mortality records
• Breeding and production records

Review and update your plan annually, or whenever you make significant changes to your operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving Forward With Confidence

Pig health and disease management can feel overwhelming when you’re starting. There’s a lot to learn, and the stakes feel high—because they are. Your pigs depend on you.

But here’s the good news: the fundamentals aren’t complicated. Watch your pigs every day. Keep disease out with reasonable biosecurity. Vaccinate strategically with veterinary guidance. Know when you need help, and ask for it early.

You don’t need to become a veterinarian. You need to become a good observer, a careful planner, and a willing learner. The resources exist—extension services, veterinary support, producer networks, and guides like this one.

Start with the basics. Build good habits. Learn as you go. Your pigs will be healthier for it.