Miniature swine kept as pets have direct and indirect exposures to other livestock and food waste, posing a potential risk for introducing or spreading foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize husbandry practices that could affect the risks of foreign animal disease in miniature swine. DESIGN: Survey study. STUDY POPULATION: 106 owners of miniature swine. PROCEDURES: An online survey of owners of miniature swine was conducted to obtain information about miniature pig and owner demographics; pig husbandry; movements of pigs; and pig contacts with humans, other miniature swine, and livestock. RESULTS: 12 states, 106 premises, and 317 miniature swine were represented in the survey. More than a third (35%) of miniature swine owners also owned other livestock species. Regular contact with livestock species at other premises was reported by 13% of owners. More than a third of owners visited shows or fairs (39%) and club or association events (37%) where miniature swine were present. More than 40% of owners fed food waste to miniature swine. Approximately half (48%) of the veterinarians providing health care for miniature swine were in mixed-animal practice. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study indicated that miniature swine kept as pets can be exposed, directly and indirectly, to feed and other livestock, potentially introducing, establishing, or spreading a foreign animal disease such as foot-and-mouth disease. In addition, the veterinary services and carcass disposal methods used by miniature swine owners may reduce the likelihood of sick or dead pigs undergoing ante- or postmortem examination by a veterinarian.
Marshall et al. (2007) studied this question.