Anorexia is the most common presenting complaint of companion pigs: a retrospective study of 192 companion pigs (2008-2024).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the predominance of presenting complaints, diagnoses, and serum biochemistry abnormalities of companion pigs. METHODS: In a retrospective study from January 2008 through December 2024, medical records were reviewed for companion pigs that were presented to a referral hospital and received biochemistry panels. Exclusionary criteria included healthy status and pigs < 1 year old. Year, signalment, presenting complaints, diagnoses, and biochemistry results were recorded. Frequencies were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 192 patients were included, with a total of 275 complaints and 225 diagnoses. Chief complaints were anorexia (64 of 275 [23%]), lethargy (45 of 275 [16%]), neurologic signs (24 of 275 [9%]), vomiting (23 of 275 [8%]), and abnormal urination (19 of 275 [7%]). Predominant diagnoses by system included gastrointestinal (42 of 225 [19%]), musculoskeletal (35 of 225 [16%]), and renal or urinary (35 of 225 [16%]). The most common individual diagnosis reported was an unspecified diagnosis (28 of 225 [12%]). Among frequent diagnoses, anorexia was the most consistently reported complaint. Main biochemical abnormalities included hyperglobulinemia (74 of 192 [39%]), hypomagnesemia (72 of 192 [38%]), hypoalbuminemia (56 of 192 [29%]), elevated BUN (51 of 192 [26%]), elevated AST (41 of 192 [21%]), hypochloremia (37 of 192 [19%]), and both hypocalcemia and elevated creatinine (35 of 192 [18%]). Among main biochemical abnormalities, anorexia and lethargy were the most consistently encountered complaints. Principal diagnosis among main biochemical abnormalities was an acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Companion pigs frequently present for nonspecific complaints associated with diverse subsets of diseases and biochemistry abnormalities. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study further expands the literature available to practitioners facing an increased prevalence of companion pigs.