There are various methods for trimming pig hooves and the frequency depends on the pig’s lifestyle. A Dremel and/or a goat hoof nipper are both good options for removing large amounts of hoof. A rasp can be used for minor amounts and for smoothing edges. Instructing the owner to handle the pig’s hooves frequently to desensitize them is important. The pig can even be trained to lay down for a belly rub. Ideally the pig’s hooves can be trimmed in a calm manner without sedation. This not only lowers the cost of the procedure for the client, but it also eliminates anesthetic related risks. If chemical restraint is required, simple injectable sedation may be adequate if the trimming is expected to go quick. If the procedure is expected to be longer, anesthesia with injectable and inhalant should be considered. Either way, oxygen should be provided in some fashion.
It is important to note that like other species, there is a sensitive corium below the hoof. Care should be taken when trimming pig hooves, to not take too much off. Also as with horses, if the hooves are severely overgrown, they may not be able to be trimmed all the way down in one sitting. It may take several visits a few weeks apart to get the hoof to an appropriate length. If a very overgrown hoof is reduced all at once, this can cause musculoskeletal pain and subsequent lameness.
The process for trimming pig hooves has been described as functional trimming and has been shown to be more beneficial to the pig than blunt trimming (simply taking off the toe without shaping).[1] Hooves should be trimmed by 2 years of age, if not sooner, and then trimmed annually. For the purposes of accuracy, the following instructions for trimming normal hooves will be copied Ver Batum from the Pot Bellied Pig Manual by Lisle George, DVM.[2]
For trimming normally shaped hooves, first remove the horn around the toe and sole using hoof nippers. Preserve the normal angulation between the toe and sole by holding the jaws of the hoof trimmers parallel to the plane of the front of the hoof wall as small amounts of horn are removed. Evaluate the surface of each cut for blood vessels and softness. As the dissection reaches the sensitive laminae, the cut area of hoof softens, develops a reddish hue, and may hemorrhage from isolated blood vessels. Remove the horn from the bottom of the hoof until the sole has become level to the plane of the digital cushion. After sufficient horn has been removed, correct any angulation defects, and smooth rough areas using a rotary sanding drum fixed to a Dremel® tool. When finished, the front of the toe should be straight, and should form a 35 to 40% angle with the sole. The sole should be flush with the digital cushion. There should be no, or minimal bleeding.
While trimming the sole, pare the horn between the junction of the sole and the digital pad. Check for softening or discoloration of the underlying tissues. This is a common site for necrobacillosis.
Trim the dew claws by bluntly removing 2 to 3 mm slices using the hoof nippers. Again examine the cut tissues for softening, reddish hue, and bleeding.
Clinical Tip: When trimming non-pigmented hooves, the distal extent of the sensitive laminae can be estimated by transilluminating the hoof.
This Manual also has several pictures of the trimming procedure with variations in instrumentation. More information is also provided in this Manual for correcting hoof abnormalities such as corkscrew claw.
