Vaccinating can be very confusing and overwhelming when it comes to pigs. I know I was very lost when it came to vaccinating. I am constantly consulting with veterinarians and updating my schedule. I am writing this post to explain what my current vaccine protocol is. However, you should always check with your local veterinarian and come up with a vaccine protocol that works for you and your pigs. Different areas of the country have different requirements as do different situations. For example, a pet pig who has no other contact with pigs probably does not need all of these. Show pigs that travel around and are in constant contact with other pigs may get even more vaccines than this! I've provided links just so you can see information on the vaccine. I highly recommend shopping around. I usually create 2 - 3 carts on different websites and go all the way to shipping. Some sites might have more expensive vaccines but their shipping more reasonable. So, I look at the total price of the cart and then purchase from the vendor that is the cheapest. Some websites I have shopped at are:
Circovirus "Wasting Disease"
Immune deficiency passed from sows to piglets, milk, feces, salvia, and semen. Will die and there is no treatment.
Vaccine I use Boehringer Ingelheim Circoflex
Schedule:
If I purchase a new pig, I vaccinate as soon as I get them home and then yearly
If the pig is born on my farm I vaccinate at weaning (1 dose) and then yearly
Dose: 1 cc
Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a bacteria known to cause pneumonia in pigs. This just gives extra protection from one type of bacteria that can cause pneumonia. I try to do the herd in the winter.
Vaccine I use Boehringer Ingelheim Mycoflex
Schedule:
If I purchase a new pig, I vaccinate as soon as I get them home and then yearly
If the pig is born on my farm I vaccinate at weaning (1 dose) and then yearly
Dose: 1 cc
Pneumonia & Erysipelas "Diamond Skin Disease"
Exists in the soil, can cause enlarged joints, lameness, inflammation in the heart, and Rhomboid skin (diamond-skin) lesions. The vaccine I use also protects against chronic running noses from caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica or the toxin of Pasteurella multocida types A and D, and Pneumonia caused by Pasteurella multocida type A.
Vaccine I use Rhini Shied TX4
Schedule:
If I purchase a new pig, I vaccinate as soon as I get them home and then,
Sows: 3 weeks before breeding (and should be vaccinated every 6 months)
Boars: every 6 months
If the pig is born on my farm I vaccinate
1 ML at 5 weeks, 2 ML at 7 weeks
Adults require 5 ML
Parvo, Lepto, & Erysipelas
Parvo and Lepto can cause reproductive issues in pigs. Farrowsure Gold also protects against Erysipelas and since that should be vaccinated against every 6 months we alternate the RhiniShield TX4 and Farrowsure Gold.
Vaccine I use Farrowsure
Schedule:
If I purchase a new pig, I vaccinate as soon as I get them home and then,
Sows: 2 weeks before breeding (and should be vaccinated every 6 months)
Boars: every 6 months
If the pig is born on my farm I vaccinate
2 ML at 6 months old
Worming
It is important to alternate wormers because they do kill different type of worms. All pigs should be dewormed every 6 months or if your veterinarian does a fecal sample to check for different types of worms. They look for the eggs under a microscope. Then they can treat for the specific worms or you may need to treatment at all.
Safeguard
Safeguard treats lungworms, adult and larvae large roundworms, nodular worms, small stomach worms, adult and larvae whipworms, and adult and larvae kidney worms. You can get goat suspension at Tractor Supply or Amazon.
Schedule:
Once a year, 3 days in a row. You can mix with yogurt. Or I have started just squirting the syringe right into their mouth and then I follow quickly with something really yummy that they like. I feel like they get more of the medicine this way.
Dectomax
Dectomax treats roundworms, lungworms, eyeworms, kidney worms, grubs, sucking lice and mange mites. This is an IM injection just like the vaccines.
Wormer I use Dectomax
Schedule:
If I purchase a new pig, I worm right away with Dectomax since it also kills mites and sometimes the stress of moving could weaken a pig's immune system and mites could cause problems.
If the pig is born on my farm I use Dectomax at 8 weeks old for the same reason because I wean them and they go to their new homes. So I just want to protect them from mites at their new home.
Supplies
Then the 2nd confusing part is what needles and syringes do you need? You can find the needles on this page. These are the sizes I use and what I keep on hand.
Piglets
1/2" 20 gauge needles or 3/4" 22 gauge needles
1 cc syringe - you can get them on Amazon
3 cc syringe - Amazon
Adults
1" 18 gauge needles - I also use these to draw the vaccines from the bottles
3 cc syringes
5 cc syringes - Amazon
Schedule
Here is a table version of the schedule to give you a different view. If there are multiple vaccines due at the same time (see 1 year old). I will do them a few days and up to a week apart. I just work it into dinner feeding time and get it done when it works for me. I will try to plan the Farrowsure Gold and/or Rhinishield TX4 around breeding time according to the label directions. You can also do these when pregnant, see the directions on the bottle.
The thing to remember is just do what works for you and what makes sense. Don't stress out if you are late getting vaccines done. Last year we couldn't even get Mycoflex or Circoflex and needles and syringes were all out of stock.
We also use a Slap Shot and Allflex Repeater Gun to do the adults. We have a video on Instagram showing how it works.
Age | Vaccine | Amount |
|---|---|---|
3 days | Iron | 1/2 cc |
5 weeks | Rhinishield TX4 | 1 cc |
5 weeks | Circoflex | 1 cc |
7 weeks | Rhinishield TX4 | 2 cc |
7 weeks | Mycoflex | 1 cc |
8 weeks | Wormer: Dectomax | by weight |
6 months | Farrowsure Gold | 2 cc |
6 months | Wormer: Safeguard | 3 days |
1 year | Rhinishield TX4 | 5 cc |
1 year | Mycoflex | 1 cc |
1 year | Circoflex | 1 cc |
1 year | Wormer: Dectomax | by weight |
18 months | Farrowsure Gold | 2 cc |
18 months | Wormer: Safeguard | 3 days |
2 years | RhiniShield TX4 | 5 cc |
2 years | Mycoflex | 1 cc |
2 years | Circoflex | 1 cc |
2 years | Wormer: Dectomax | by weight |