Mar2013_OLD MILL VET SURGERY PET OF THE MONTH

Pet of the Month – Tabitha the Pig

This month’s featured pet is a gorgeous little spotted piglet called Tabitha.  She came to the Old Mill Vet Surgery in search of a piercing, as she has now grown out of her baby nose ring.

Dr Slade gave her a light sedation to make the process pain-free and stress free for Tabitha, and inserted her ‘big girl’ nose ring, which should give many years of service.  Pigs have nose rings fitted to stop them from tearing up gardens and lawns.  The pressure on the ring when they push it against the ground is enough for them to be deterred.  They can still eat and drink without interference from the ring, as it is placed through the top of the nose and comes out the middle of the nose.

Tabitha kept the nurses on their toes with her loud shrieking, even when she was getting big cuddles!  Piglets are often treated in the small animal clinic at Old Mill Vets, as they can suffer from parasites and skin issues, or just need routine procedures like Tabitha did.  She received a lot of attention when her photo was uploaded to the Old Mill Vet Facebook page and you can see why – she is one very cute pig!