35. Re: Trimming tusks

From: Michelle
Category: General Discussion
Date: 5/15/01
Time: 1:06:28 PM
Remote Name: 128.123.79.57

35.1. Comments

I know what you mean!! Unfortunately, my two pigs aren't gentle enough to trim their hooves and tusks without sedation (we rescued them last year from our animal shelter). Our vet sedates them with an injection, then uses horse hoof cutters to trim their hooves and tusks. He is very careful not to yank or pull when clipping the tusks, which is important to prevent fracturing below the gumline. According to him, the tusk above the gumline doesn't have any nerves. He then files off any sharp edges.

Alot of folks I know are able to trim their pigs themselves. They use clippers for the hooves and something called a giggly wire for the tusks. It has handles on each end of the wire, and cuts the tusks quickly, minimizing the change of a fracture. They then use a file or dremel tool to get rid of sharp edges.

If you'd like more information on this process, contact Richard Hoyle at rhoyle@minipigs.org Richard runs a sanctuary and is very knowledgeable about these animals and how to care for them...

Good Luck! Michelle