If your pigs have pot bellies, rough coats, and are growing slower than expected, the most likely cause is internal parasites. Roundworm (Ascaris suum) prevalence in Philippine backyard herds runs as high as 25–60% based on UPLB studies, and mange affects 30–50% or more.
The good news: deworming is cheap, simple, and the return on investment is enormous. Research shows parasites can reduce weight gain by up to 40%. A single deworming injection that costs under ₱50 per pig can recover that lost growth.
"Pagpa-deworm na, laki na man." (Time to deworm, it is already big.)
Deworming Products Available in the Philippines
| Product | Type | Targets | Administration | Withdrawal Before Slaughter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivermectin (Ivomec and generics) | Injectable (1% solution) | Roundworms, lungworms, mange, lice | Subcutaneous (under skin), 1 mL per 33 kg | 18 days (injectable), 5–7 days (oral) |
| Albendazole | Oral | Roundworms, whipworms, liver flukes | Oral drench or mixed in feed, 5–10 mg/kg | 7–14 days |
| Fenbendazole (Safe-Guard) | Oral | Roundworms, whipworms | Oral, 5–10 mg/kg | None at recommended dose |
| Doramectin (Dectomax) | Injectable | Roundworms, mange, lice | Intramuscular, 1 mL per 33 kg | 35 days |
| Levamisole | Injectable or oral | Roundworms, lungworms | Per label dosing | 7–14 days |
For most backyard farmers, ivermectin is the best first choice — it treats both internal parasites and external parasites (mange, lice) in a single injection. Generic ivermectin is widely available and affordable.
Correct Dosing
Under-dosing is the most common mistake. It does not kill all the worms and promotes drug resistance.
Ivermectin 1% injectable: 1 mL per 33 kg bodyweight, injected subcutaneously (under the skin behind the ear).
| Pig Weight | Ivermectin Dose |
|---|---|
| 10 kg | 0.3 mL |
| 20 kg | 0.6 mL |
| 33 kg | 1.0 mL |
| 50 kg | 1.5 mL |
| 66 kg | 2.0 mL |
| 100 kg | 3.0 mL |
Injection site: Behind the ear, subcutaneous. Use a clean needle for each pig to prevent infection spread.
Albendazole oral: 5–10 mg/kg bodyweight. Mix the powder in a small amount of feed to ensure the pig eats the full dose.
Deworming Schedule
In warm tropical climates like the Philippines, deworm more frequently than temperate guidelines recommend because parasite egg survival is higher in warm, moist conditions.
| Animal | When to Deworm |
|---|---|
| Piglets | First deworming at 6–8 weeks (after weaning) |
| Growers / fatteners | Every 3–4 months |
| Sows | 2 weeks before farrowing (critical — reduces piglet infection) + after weaning |
| Boars | Every 3–4 months |
| Newly purchased pigs | On arrival, during quarantine period |
The most important single deworming is the sow 2 weeks before farrowing. Piglets get parasites from the sow during nursing and from contaminated pen surfaces. Deworming the sow dramatically reduces piglet worm load.
After Deworming: Clean the Pen
Deworming kills worms inside the pig, but parasite eggs survive in the environment for weeks. If you deworm and put the pig back in a contaminated pen, reinfection happens quickly.
After deworming:
- Clean the pen thoroughly. Remove all manure and bedding.
- Scrub floors and walls with lime solution (apog dissolved in water).
- Let the pen dry in sunlight before returning the pig — UV kills many parasite eggs.
- Replace bedding with fresh material.
Mange Treatment
If your pig has crusty, thickened skin (usually starting at the ears), intense scratching, and hair loss, it likely has sarcoptic mange.
Ivermectin treats mange, but you need two doses 10–14 days apart to kill mites at different life stages. A single dose is not enough for mange — the second dose catches newly hatched mites.
For severe cases, supplement with amitraz spray or pour-on directly on affected areas.
Where to Buy in the Philippines
- Veterinary supply stores — available in every major town, usually near the public market
- Agricultural supply stores — carry dewormers alongside feeds and fertilizers
- Municipal/City Veterinary Office — some LGUs provide free deworming during organized campaigns
- Online: Several Philippine-based animal health suppliers ship nationwide
Always check the expiration date. Store injectable products away from direct sunlight and heat.
Bisaya / Cebuano
Para sa mga mag-uuma
Unsaon pag-deworm sa baboy:
- Gamita ang Ivermectin injectable — 1 mL per 33 kg, inject sa luyo sa dalunggan
- Deworm kada 3–4 ka bulan
- Ang pinaka-importante: deworm ang anay (sow) 2 ka semana bago manganak
- Human sa pag-deworm, limpyohi ang tangkal — kuha sa tanan hugaw, lagay og apog
- Para sa galis (mange), kinahanglan duha ka dose — balik inject after 10–14 ka adlaw
"Gikutlan og ulod ang baboy" (The pig has worms) — kini ang pinaka-kasagaran nga rason ngano hinay motubo ang baboy sa backyard. Barato ra ang tambal pero daghan ang maayo nga resulta.
Learn More
- Pig diseases in the Philippines: symptoms and treatment — complete disease guide
- Why is my pig not gaining weight? — parasites and other causes
- Cost to raise a pig in the Philippines — include deworming in your budget
Sources: UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine parasitology studies, FAO Farmer's Handbook on Pig Production (deworming schedules), MSU Extension "Administering Deworming Products for Pigs," ThePigSite health management guides, AASV Fact Sheet on anthelmintics, Polley & Mostert 1980 (parasite effects on weight gain and feed conversion).
