Pig Vaccination & Deworming Schedule: Farmer’s Guide

Raising healthy pigs requires careful attention to their health schedule, especially regarding vaccinations and deworming. These two practices are essential for preventing diseases, boosting immunity, and ensuring steady growth and productivity. Understanding when and how to vaccinate and deworm your pigs can make a big difference in herd health and performance.

The Role of Vaccinations in Pig Health

Vaccines help pigs build immunity against harmful diseases that can spread quickly through a herd. Some of these diseases are viral, bacterial, or caused by environmental conditions that weaken the pig's natural defenses. Vaccinating your pigs at the right times can prevent major losses and reduce the need for emergency treatments later on.

Piglets typically receive their first vaccines between 2 to 6 weeks of age, depending on the specific disease and the maternal immunity passed on through the sow’s colostrum. If piglets were born to vaccinated sows, their natural protection may last a few weeks. After that, vaccine coverage becomes necessary to maintain strong immunity.

Here are common pig vaccines and their general schedules:

• Erysipelas: First dose at 6–8 weeks of age, with a booster 3–4 weeks later. Annual boosters are recommended for breeding pigs.

• Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (pneumonia): First shot at 1–3 weeks, depending on the product used.

• Porcine Circovirus (PCV2): Often given at 3–4 weeks.

• PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome): Timing depends on the farm's exposure risk, but usually between 3–6 weeks of age.

• Parvovirus and Leptospirosis (for sows and gilts): Often given before breeding.

For breeding sows, vaccinating before farrowing helps protect piglets by transferring antibodies through the colostrum. Keeping detailed health records helps you stay on schedule and reduce vaccine overlap or missed doses.

Why is Deworming Important for Pigs?

Reduced Feed Efficiency

Internal parasites, such as roundworms and whipworms, can severely affect a pig’s ability to absorb nutrients from its food. These worms compete with the pig for essential nutrients, meaning even if pigs eat a sufficient amount of food, they may not be able to utilize it fully for growth.

This leads to slower growth rates and reduced feed efficiency, increasing the cost of feed and slowing down overall production on the farm. In severe cases, this can even result in weight loss or stunted growth, further impacting farm profitability.

Health Problems

Parasites can cause a range of health problems in pigs, manifesting in various symptoms. Common signs of parasitic infections include diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and weakness, and anemia, where pigs exhibit pale skin and reduced energy levels due to blood loss.

Additionally, when roundworm larvae migrate through the lungs, they can cause coughing or respiratory distress, which compromises the pig's ability to breathe effectively and can lead to secondary infections, further exacerbating health issues.

Organ Damage

One of the most concerning impacts of internal parasites is the potential damage they cause to vital organs. Ascaris suum larvae, for example, migrate through the liver and lungs during their lifecycle, causing significant harm.

In the liver, they can cause "milk spots," which are areas of scarring that can result in the condemnation of the liver at slaughter, reducing the market value of the animal. In the lungs, the damage from migrating larvae can leave the pig vulnerable to secondary infections, including pneumonia, which can severely affect its overall health and productivity.

Poor Breeding Performance

Parasites can also have a negative impact on the reproductive performance of sows and boars. High parasite loads in breeding pigs can lead to reduced fertility, lower conception rates, and a delay in recovery post-farrowing.

Sows with heavy worm burdens may produce low birth weight piglets, which are more susceptible to health problems and have lower survival rates. These issues result in reduced productivity, longer recovery periods, and higher veterinary costs, ultimately affecting the farm's profitability and breeding efficiency.

When To Deworm Your Pigs (Optimal Deworming Schedule)

Piglets (6–8 weeks)

Piglets are particularly vulnerable to parasitic infections as they begin to pick up worm eggs from their environment. At this age, they are typically weaning and starting to explore their surroundings, which increases their exposure to parasites.

The first deworming at 6–8 weeks is important in breaking the early cycle of infection and helping to prevent the rapid establishment of worm burdens. Early intervention ensures that piglets grow strong and healthy without the setback of parasitic diseases.

Growers and Finishers

As pigs enter their growing and finishing stages, their rapid weight gain and feed intake make them more susceptible to the impact of internal parasites. Deworming these pigs every 1–2 months is essential to maintain low parasite loads, ensuring that the animals continue to grow at optimal rates.

Frequent deworming helps prevent parasites from interfering with nutrient absorption, which could otherwise reduce weight gain, increase feed costs, and affect overall farm productivity.

Breeding Stock (Sows and Boars)

For breeding sows, deworming should occur before mating and again before farrowing, typically 2 weeks before giving birth. This ensures that the sows are free from parasites that could affect their health, reproductive performance, and the health of their piglets.

Reducing parasite loads in sows improves recovery after farrowing and enhances the health of the piglets, as they are less likely to ingest parasite eggs from an infected mother. Boars should be dewormed 2–3 times per year, depending on their exposure to parasites, keeping them healthy for optimal breeding performance.

Common Dewormers

Ivermectin (Ivomec)

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum dewormer that targets both internal and external parasites. It is highly effective against roundworms, lice, and mange mites. This drug can be administered either by injection or in drinking water, making it convenient for different management systems.

Ivermectin is particularly effective in breeding animals, as it not only controls internal parasites but also helps manage external pests, improving overall animal health and productivity.

Fenbendazole

Fenbendazole is a versatile dewormer that is commonly given through feed or as a drench. It effectively kills a wide variety of internal parasites, including whipworms, nodular worms, and some species of roundworms.

It is safe to use across all age groups, from piglets to adults, making it a go-to option for farmers looking for a broad-spectrum solution. Its safety profile ensures minimal risk of side effects, making it a reliable choice for routine deworming.

Levamisole

Levamisole is commonly used in pigs from weaning onward and is typically mixed in water or feed. It is effective primarily against roundworms and lungworms, which can severely impact the respiratory and digestive systems of pigs.

By controlling these specific parasites, Levamisole helps ensure healthy growth and reduces the risk of disease outbreaks in the herd. It’s a favored option for young pigs, ensuring they remain free from these common parasites as they grow.

Pyrantel Tartrate

Pyrantel tartrate is often used preventively in young pigs to control roundworm infections. It is typically added to feed for continuous deworming, helping to reduce the worm burden over time. While Pyrantel tartrate does not kill mature worms, it is highly effective in preventing the maturation of larvae, thereby limiting the spread of parasitic infections. This makes it an excellent option for managing parasitic threats in growing pigs, ensuring they develop without major worm-related health issues.

Tips for a Healthy Vaccination and Deworming Routine

Keeping pigs healthy is about consistency and observation. Here are a few practices that help:

Stick to a Set Schedule and Mark Dates Clearly

Consistency is key when managing pig health. Following a fixed schedule for vaccinations and deworming ensures that pigs are protected at the right time. Marking the dates on a calendar or using a farm management app helps prevent missed doses and allows you to stay organized with booster shots and treatment intervals.

Rotate Dewormers to Prevent Resistance

Using the same dewormer repeatedly can lead to drug resistance, making the product less effective over time. Rotating between different classes of dewormers helps break the life cycle of various parasites and keeps treatments effective. Consult your vet to plan a proper rotation strategy suited to your farm’s needs.

Use Clean Needles and Proper Injection Sites

Clean equipment minimizes the risk of infection. Always use sterile needles and inject in the correct location—usually the neck or behind the ear—to prevent abscesses. Reusing needles or injecting in the wrong area can cause tissue damage, infection, or interfere with meat quality.

Monitor for Vaccine Reactions

After administering vaccines, observe pigs closely for any adverse reactions. Swelling at the injection site, reduced appetite, fever, or lethargy can indicate a mild vaccine response. In rare cases, severe reactions may occur. Early detection ensures timely intervention and prevents complications.

Weigh Pigs for Accurate Deworming

Dewormers must be dosed accurately according to weight to be effective. Underdosing may not clear all parasites, while overdosing can be harmful. If you don’t have a scale, estimating weight based on body size using standard charts or measuring tapes can help you get close to the correct dosage.

Keep Housing Clean

A clean living space reduces the spread of parasite eggs, bacteria, and viruses. Regular removal of manure, dry bedding, and proper ventilation all contribute to healthier pigs. Clean environments reduce reinfection risks and enhance the effectiveness of vaccines and dewormers.

Fecal Testing

Periodic fecal testing helps monitor the effectiveness of deworming by detecting the type and number of worm eggs in pig feces. It identifies issues like incorrect dosing or drug resistance and is especially valuable in large herds. Regular testing allows early intervention and better parasite control.

Keep Records

Maintaining accurate records of deworming activities is a must for farm management and animal welfare. These records should include details like the date, product used, dose given, and any side effects observed, ensuring that animals are treated correctly and on schedule.

In breeding herds, this helps plan treatments around key events like farrowing or mating. Good documentation also supports audits, biosecurity, and compliance. Using the Piggery Manager farm app streamlines record-keeping, making it easier to track treatments, collaborate with veterinarians, and enhance herd health management.

Consult a Veterinarian for Customized Plans

Every region has its disease risks and challenges. A local veterinarian can help you develop a health plan tailored to your farm, including which vaccines to prioritize and how often to deworm. This personalized approach increases success rates and prevents outbreaks before they begin.

Conclusion

A well-structured vaccination and deworming routine is essential for maintaining a healthy, productive pig herd. It protects pigs from preventable diseases, minimizes parasite loads, and promotes steady growth while reducing reliance on emergency treatments.

By staying organized, choosing appropriate health products, and keeping housing clean, farmers create an environment where pigs can thrive. Regular veterinary guidance ensures that your schedule remains effective and tailored to local risks. Ultimately, prioritizing pig health lays the foundation for improved animal welfare, better performance, and long-term success on the farm.