The number of pet minipigs, also called micro- or mini-pigs, has increased. Although cardiovascular diseases, particularly congenital malformations, are well documented in industrial and laboratory minipigs, they have not been reported in pet minipigs, to our knowledge. Detailed cardiac examination in awake pigs is challenging and typically requires sedation or anesthesia, making awareness of potential cardiac conditions essential. We present clinical and pathology findings from 3 pet minipig autopsies: aortic dissection, myxomatous valve degeneration, and ventricular septal defect. These cases highlight the need for increased awareness and investigation of cardiovascular diseases in pet minipigs.
Ueda et al. (Wed,) studied this question.