Mimi

[Yvonne G]

My daughter lives in a country neighborhood of 5 acre lots. Her house is the last one on the street. The neighbor in front and across the street from her let his house go back to the bank. For whatever reason. However, the jerk moved out a couple weeks ago and didn't take his animals. He left a mama and baby plus last year's baby goat, a cat and a pot bellied pig.

One by one, the goats escaped the property and ran away, and after a week went by and my daughter and I finally had the idea...hey, what happened to the pig? Who is feeding her. So we started feeding the pig and I contacted the realtor to see if I could have her.

I was able to talk a friend into bringing her horse trailer over this a.m. and we rounded up the pig and brought her to my house.

This poor pig is about 17 years old. She was purchased as a full grown pig by the previous owner of the house when I still lived where my daughter lives now. They had the pig for about 3 years before I moved, and I moved about 12 years ago.

I doubt the pig has ever seen a farrier or vet. Her hooves are extremely over grown and she has one tusk that broke off and one that is about to penetrate through the skin under her eye. She squeals worse than a squeeky brake when you even just touch her. And so-o-o-o dirty!

But she knows her name and comes when you call her. (just don't touch her!!)

So, here's my new addition. The vet is coming out Monday to have a look at her:

If any of you have first hand experience with pot bellied pigs I would really appreciate some helpful hints about her care. I know absolutely NOTHING about pigs. I have a nice new bag of Mazuri pot bellied pig diet and she eats it. But how much? And should she be fed anything besides the pig diet? And can she be on the same pasture as my horse?

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Awww! Poor thing. What kind of AH leaves their animals behind? I don't know anything about pigs, but you're angel for helping her!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Oh my Lord what a homely animal! That's just so good of you to take her in Yvonne. This way she can spend the rest of her days in comfort. Will she share the barn with April? Horses like goats as companions do they accept pigs as well? That would be nice if she and April got along and would live together...Is it Mike Stabbe who's coming out?

 

[Isa]

Yvonne, that is so nice of you to adopt her Poor little one. Good luck

 

[Yvonne G]

She is living next door to my horse, April. If I find out its ok to have a pig and a horse share a pasture with no "germs" making one or the other sick, then they will be both turned out on the pasture together.

April was very curious to see what that "thing" was that I put next door to her. She spent the whole day with her head over the fence and occasionally pawing the ground. I don't know if she wanted to kill it or just see what it was. But she sure looked pretty with her ears flicked forward and such an intent look on her face.

My vet for the pig will be Dr. Sue Lynch. She used to be the vet at our zoo, but now has a private mobile practice. Dr. Stabbe only does horses.

 

[dreadyA]

my brothers significant other have a pot bellied. I hear her say she feeds theirs table scraps and a whole bunch of left overs...and get this, she said bacon too!! :[
Of course, i really dont know proper diet for pigs.
good luck!

btw: mimi is my sisters name, haha!

 

[Laura]

google them and see what the basic care sheet is for them. or hmmm maybe there is a Pot Bellie Pig Forum..
I would bet she need a good swine swine pelleted wormer. I know they get overfed a lot. Lots of veggies i think.. got a good farmers market near you?

 

[Italianlnm]

Zac and I have two potbelly pigs. We keep them out in the same pasture with the two cows with no problems. They have all been wormed, and the vet said there wasn't really anything that they could transfer over..So we went for it. I think the cows get a hoot out of the pigs.

We feed them the mazuri potbelly and we also give them vegetable peelings and stuff.. Not all scraps.. just veggie peelings.. Grated carrots, potato peeling, stuff like that.. But that is a treat and the mazuri is their main diet.

You should talk to the vet about maybe giving her a relaxer to trip the tusk and hooves. Our vet is also our farrier, so I'm not sure if you would need to contact a separate farrier.

I have had our pigs for about 3 years now on my parents farm, until they moved and I took over the farm.. So technically it is now Zac's and mine.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me!

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Thank goodness these down and out neglected animals have Yvonne the one-woman Rescue Aid Society nearby.

I hope that in your good hands Mimi will eventually forget her fear and suffering and become a gentle pet for you.

In any case, I am sure the next few months will be an interesting experience for you both!

 

[Yvonne G]

I've gotten down on the ground in front of her and I can't see any eyes. I don't know how she manages to get around. I really don't think she's fat, do you? But she sure has that big fold of skin (or fat) going down over her eyes!

 

[TortieGal]

I was wondering if she could see ok. Bless your heart for taking her in.

 

[BethyB1022]

I have done a lot of research on pot bellies as I would really like to get one eventually. My neighbor had one growing up and it was the sweetest animal. I have heard the term "fat blind" meaning that the pot belly can't see because it is overweight and the fat around it's eyes inhibits its vision. I have read that it can be helped by putting it on a better diet and making sure it has enough space. So, hopefully in your good care Yvonne it will get better Again, that's just what I've read so I don't have any first hand experience.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm starting to think that "Mimi" might be "Melvin." The vet is coming next Monday to do the hooves and tusks, and we'll find out for sure then. But I've tried to look under her and there's just no way because she's so squealy. But after her poop today, she stretched out, front legs to the front and back legs way out behind, and girls don't assume that position for peeing. Trouble is, her belly was touching the ground, so I still couldn't see where the pee was coming from.

I know, I know...too much information!

She's really growing on me. I can't wait until warmer weather so I can give her a good scrubbing. The neighbors are going to love me on that day. Everyone should buy some ear plugs before then.

 

[terryo]

Mimi is one lucky pig. She has a face that only a Mother could love....so it's a good thing that you're her Mother now.

 

[Yvonne G]

Yeah, she is pretty homely, alright.

 

[Stephanie Logan]

But after her poop today, she stretched out, front legs to the front and back legs way out behind, and girls don't assume that position for peeing. Trouble is, her belly was touching the ground, so I still couldn't see where the pee was coming from.

Hahaha...thanks for the laugh-out-loud image!

 

[terracolson]

Wow I would be scared of her...do they bite?

 

[Yvonne G]

I've heard that pigs can be pretty mean, but Mimi is only a squealer. She has never tried to bite or stab me with her tusks. The most threatening thing she has done is to clack her teeth at me when I was trying to open her mouth.

 

[Madortoise]

Pigs are very smart, aren't they? She'll never forget you for saving her! What a random act of kindness.

 

[Yvonne G]

Well, here's Mimi two months later. He heard me at the gate so he started trucking in that direction:

I'm not sure, but I THINK that he looks a bit thinner than the first pictures. I hope so. I'd really like to be able for him to graze on the pasture, but he has to be able to see before I can let him out of the smaller pen.

And talk about a cute butt!!! Is there a cuter butt than this: