Pig Diseases Philippines: Symptoms, What Causes Them, and What To Do

The Philippines has lost an estimated 3–4 million pigs to African Swine Fever since 2019. More are lost annually to hog cholera — a disease that has a vaccine, yet still kills pigs in unvaccinated backyard herds every year. Respiratory disease complexes claim a quiet toll of lost growth and increased days to market in farms that never record a single death. And mange — the most common health problem in backyard Philippine pigs — silently drains growth from herds across the Visayas and Mindanao.

For backyard farmers in the Visayas and Mindanao, the disease landscape has a specific character. Leyte, Samar, and Bohol experienced ASF outbreaks after 2021 despite initial geographic protection. Davao Region implemented stricter checkpoint protocols and barangay-level surveillance that slowed ASF spread — but the disease reached parts of Northern Mindanao and the Bangsamoro region by 2023. Western Visayas (Iloilo, Capiz) has maintained closer biosecurity ties with the Luzon supply chain, which carries both benefits and risks.

This is not a substitute for a veterinarian. It is a field reference — the information you need to recognize problems early, act correctly in the first hours, and give a useful report when you call for help. For detailed clinical descriptions of each condition, the Merck Veterinary Manual's swine section is a comprehensive reference.

Quick Symptom Reference

When a pig shows abnormal signs, this table gives you a starting framework — not a diagnosis.

Local farmer tip:

"Ang baboy nga dili mokaon, adunay sakit hangtod mapamatud-an nga lain. Kuha dayon og termometro."

A pig that won't eat is sick until proven otherwise. Get the thermometer immediately.

Disease 1: African Swine Fever (ASF)

What It Is

ASF is a hemorrhagic viral disease caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). It infects only pigs and wild boar — not humans, not other livestock. There is no treatment and no licensed vaccine available to Philippine farmers as of 2026. Every confirmed case requires depopulation under BAI protocol.

The virus entered the Philippines in September 2019 in Rizal and Bulacan provinces. From Luzon, it spread south across the Visayas and into Mindanao. As of February 2026, ASF has been reported in 76 of the country's 82 provinces since 2019, though active cases have declined sharply — from 98 active barangays at end of December 2025 to 27 active barangays in 19 municipalities across 13 provinces as of February 6, 2026 (FAO Situation Update).

In November 2025, the DA issued new guidelines introducing ASF regionalization — a framework for recognizing ASF-free zones within affected countries, in line with WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) standards. WOAH maintains the official list of notifiable animal diseases including ASF. This is a significant step toward eventually restoring trade access for Philippine pork exports.

ASF Vaccine: A Rapidly Changing and Complicated Situation

The Philippine government is now actively vaccinating pigs against ASF. As of late 2025, nearly 500,000 pigs in Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Tarlac, and Pampanga have been vaccinated under government-controlled programs, with a reported 90% efficacy rate among healthy, ASF-negative pigs (Philippine News Agency, December 2025).

However, ASF vaccination remains controversial and the science is unsettled:

The safety concern: A July 2025 peer-reviewed study published in npj Vaccines (van den Born et al.) found that the ASFV-G-ΔI177L vaccine strain — the base strain used in several ASF vaccines including Vietnam's — is not genetically stable and reverts to virulence. When pregnant sows were inoculated, 43% of offspring were born dead, live-born piglets developed ASF signs, and only 17% survived. During serial passage in pigs, the strain reverted to virulence at passages 3 and 4.

Vietnam's experience: Vietnam has licensed three ASF vaccines (NAVET-ASFVAC, AVAC ASF LIVE, DACOVAC-ASF2). But in 2025, Vietnamese ASF outbreaks actually increased dramatically — 2,782 outbreaks with over 1.27 million pigs culled, a 13-fold increase versus 2024. Gene sequencing revealed 83% of representative ASF virus samples were now recombinant genotype I and genotype II — a shift that complicates vaccine matching.

WOAH standard (June 2025): The World Organisation for Animal Health adopted a new ASF vaccine standard requiring that vaccines reduce disease severity, limit virus transmission, be proven safe, and match circulating ASF genotypes.

What this means for you as a farmer:

1. Do not purchase or use any ASF vaccine outside government-controlled programs. Unauthorized vaccines sold by private dealers are illegal and potentially dangerous.
2. If the government vaccination program reaches your area, participate — the controlled program is your best available option. But do not assume vaccination eliminates the need for biosecurity. It does not.
3. Biosecurity remains your primary defense. Even in vaccinated herds, biosecurity failures lead to outbreaks.
4. The science is evolving fast. What is known today may change. Follow BAI announcements and your local veterinarian's guidance.

Symptoms

The acute form progresses in 3–5 days:

• Day 1–2: Reduced appetite, fever (40.5–42°C), sluggishness — easy to miss or mistake for other conditions
• Day 2–3: High fever, complete anorexia, inability to stand ("nagkuyapan"), huddling
• Day 3–5: Red/purple discoloration of skin — particularly ears, snout, inner thighs, belly. Hemorrhagic spots on white skin. Bloody diarrhea or vomiting in some cases
• Day 4–7: Death in acute form. Near 100% mortality

The chronic form (low-virulence strains) causes intermittent fever, weight loss, skin ulcers, and respiratory signs over weeks — less dramatic but still ultimately fatal.

Critical field point: In the Visayas and Mindanao, the first clinical sign farmers notice is often a pig that "dili mokaon ug sige lang higda" (not eating, just lying there). By the time skin discoloration appears, the pig has already been infected for 2–3 days and other pigs may be infected. Act on the anorexia + fever + lethargy combination immediately — do not wait for visible skin signs.

What To Do

1. Isolate immediately — move the pig to a separate area, minimum 20 meters from the herd
2. Do not sell — illegal under RA 9482 and spreads virus across provinces. Traders at the farm gate offering to buy sick pigs are the primary mechanism of inter-provincial spread
3. Call the vet or BAI — BAI Regional Field Unit (Visayas: BAI-RFUL Region VI, VII, VIII; Mindanao: BAI-RFUL Region XI, XII, XIII) or your municipal/city veterinarian. Report the number of sick pigs, symptoms, temperature, and when you first noticed
4. Implement farm lockdown — no movement of pigs, people, or equipment until cleared
5. Blood sample collection — your vet will collect blood samples for PCR testing. Results in 24–48 hours at accredited laboratories (NVQL Laguna, ADDL Davao, RDA-BIAREC Iloilo)

Prevention (Biosecurity — the Only Option)

Since there is no vaccine, biosecurity is your only defense:

• No swill feeding — raw kitchen scraps, uncooked pork products, and restaurant waste are confirmed ASF entry routes in Philippine outbreaks. Cook swill to >70°C if you must use it, or eliminate entirely
• Dedicated farm footwear — never wear farm boots outside the farm premises
• Footbath at every entry point — 0.5% bleach (sodium hypochlorite), 2% caustic soda, or commercial Virkon S solution. Change every 2–3 days; daily in wet season
• Visitor control — all visitors disinfect footwear and clothing before entering pig area. No entry for people who have visited another pig farm in the last 48 hours
• Vehicle disinfection — any vehicle entering the farm (feed deliveries, buyer vehicles) must be sprayed with disinfectant
• Rodent control — rats and mice mechanically carry ASFV on their feet and fur between farms. Research confirms ASF virus survives in feed ingredients with half-lives of 9–14 days. Rat-proofing is disease prevention.
• No contact with wild pigs — baboy-damo (wild boar) and the endangered Philippine warty pig (Sus philippensis) in Mindanao and Visayas mountain areas can carry ASFV. In 2024, unusual mortality in Philippine warty pigs was documented in Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon, suspected to be ASF-related (Villegas et al. 2024). Do not allow hunting dogs near your pigs
• Use new needles for each pig — reusing needles can transmit blood-borne diseases including ASF between pigs

Visayas/Mindanao specific: The Davao Region Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at Davao City has significantly reduced turnaround time for ASF PCR testing compared to sending samples to Laguna. Cebu-based farmers use the RDA-BIAREC laboratory in Iloilo or the BAI Reference Laboratory via shipping on ice.

Disease 2: Hog Cholera (Classical Swine Fever / CSF)

What It Is

Hog cholera is caused by the Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV, a pestivirus). Unlike ASF, a highly effective vaccine exists and is widely available in the Philippines. This makes hog cholera almost entirely preventable — yet it remains one of the top causes of pig death in unvaccinated backyard herds across the Visayas and Mindanao.

The BAI produces the Lapinized Hog Cholera Vaccine (LHCV) domestically, making it available at subsidized prices through LGU veterinary offices. A dose costs ₱40–₱80 through commercial channels, often less or free through LGU programs. There is no excuse for not vaccinating.

Symptoms

Nearly identical to ASF in the field, which creates dangerous diagnostic confusion:

• High fever (40–41°C), complete anorexia
• Nervous signs: shaking, circling, falling
• Skin hemorrhages — small red dots (petechiae) on ears, belly, and legs
• Constipation followed by diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• "Boat-shaped" belly (bloating) in some cases

Clinical distinction from ASF: CSF tends to progress over 7–14 days rather than the rapid 3–7 day death of acute ASF. CSF also responds partially (in secondary bacterial infections) to antibiotics; ASF does not. However, you cannot distinguish ASF from CSF reliably in the field. Both require laboratory confirmation.

Mortality

Unvaccinated pigs: 60–90%. Vaccinated pigs: mild or no clinical signs.

Vaccination Schedule

Visayas/Mindanao availability: LHCV is available at provincial veterinary offices and accredited animal pharmacies in Cebu City, Mandaue, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Tacloban, Iloilo City, Bacolod, and General Santos City. DA Regional Field Offices in Region 7 (Cebu), Region 8 (Tacloban), Region 10 (CDO), and Region 11 (Davao) maintain cold-chain vaccine stocks and provide subsidized vaccination through barangay-level programs.

Disease 3: PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome)

What It Is

PRRS virus (a Nidovirus, genus Arterivirus) is now endemic in most commercially dense pig-producing areas of the Philippines. It is called "mystery swine disease" because its symptoms are inconsistent — the same virus causes dramatically different outcomes in different herds.

Symptoms by Herd Type

Breeding/sow herds:

• Late-term abortions (last 2–4 weeks of pregnancy), often 3–5 fetuses per litter affected
• "Blue ear" sows — mild cyanosis of ear tips during acute phase
• Returns to estrus at irregular intervals, delayed conception
• "Splay-leg" or "trembling" piglets (neurological signs in PRRS-born piglets)

Grow-out pigs:

• Respiratory distress — labored breathing, "thumping" (abdominal breathing), blue tinge to ears
• High susceptibility to secondary bacterial pneumonia (Pasteurella, Streptococcus)
• Poor growth, rough coat, 10–20% longer grow-out time
• Increased mortality in nursery (10–30% in naive herds)

Why It Matters in Visayas and Davao

PRRS is primarily a problem for multiplier farms and operations with breeding stock. For small backyard operations buying weaners, PRRS is most relevant in two ways:

1. Weaners from PRRS-positive farms — if your weaner supplier has PRRS, the weaners may be viremic (carrying active virus). These pigs perform poorly and transmit virus to your herd
2. Secondary bacterial pneumonia — PRRS damage to the respiratory tract makes pigs highly susceptible to secondary bacterial infections (especially Pasteurella multocida). Unexplained pneumonia outbreaks in grow-out pigs are often PRRS-triggered

What to ask your weaner supplier: Has your sow herd been tested for PRRS? What is their vaccination status? A reputable supplier can answer this. One who cannot is a higher-risk source.

Management

Modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are available for PRRS. Vaccination programs must be designed with a veterinarian — incorrect vaccination timing in a naive herd can cause clinical disease. For backyard grow-out operations buying weaners, focus on sourcing weaners from PRRS-stable farms and managing secondary bacterial infections promptly.

Disease 4: Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) and Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE)

What They Are

PED (caused by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, PEDV — a coronavirus) and TGE (Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus) cause severe, explosive diarrhea. Both spread via the fecal-oral route and travel rapidly through pig populations. They are present throughout the Philippines.

Symptoms

• Watery diarrhea — profuse, yellow to white, foul-smelling; may contain undigested milk in piglets
• Vomiting — particularly in sows and older pigs with PED
• Rapid dehydration — sunken eyes, skin that "tents" (slow to snap back when pinched), cold extremities
• Neonatal piglets under 7 days: near 100% mortality without intensive supportive care
• Pigs 3–6 weeks: 40–80% mortality; survivors recover slowly
• Pigs over 8 weeks and adults: typically recover within 5–7 days with significant weight loss

Treatment (Supportive Only)

There is no specific antiviral treatment. Management is:

1. Oral rehydration for piglets and weaners: 1 liter clean water + 3.5g salt + 2.5g baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) + 20g table sugar. Administer via syringe into the mouth, 5–10 mL every 2 hours for neonates
2. Antibiotics (prescription): For secondary bacterial infection only — consult your vet. Commonly used: amoxicillin oral, tiamulin in water
3. Keep warm and dry: Hypothermia accelerates death in dehydrated neonates. Heat lamp (bulb wattage appropriate for pen size) is essential in farrowing areas
4. Farm movement ban: PED spreads explosively on contaminated footwear and equipment. Lock down immediately

PED in the Visayas wet season: Outbreaks correlate with high humidity and poor pen drainage. The rainy season (June–November in most Visayas areas) is peak PED risk. Farms with uncovered, poorly drained pens in Leyte and Eastern Samar have reported repeated annual outbreaks. Investment in covered, well-drained pen floors breaks this cycle.

Vaccination

PED killed-virus vaccines are available in the Philippines. Sow vaccination pre-farrowing creates maternal antibodies in colostrum that protect piglets in the first 3 weeks. Consult your vet for the program — it is cost-effective on farms with recurring PED history.

Disease 5: Swine Respiratory Disease Complex

Respiratory disease in Philippine grow-out pigs is almost always multi-pathogen — a combination of primary pathogens and opportunistic bacteria. The most important agents:

The Davao Dry Season Problem

In Davao Region, the dry season (March–May) brings dust and heat stress that dramatically increase respiratory disease incidence. Pigs in enclosed, poorly ventilated pens in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur show 2–3× higher respiratory morbidity during these months compared to the wet season. Open-sided pen construction (mesh or bamboo above concrete block lower walls) with ridge ventilation is not optional — it is disease prevention.

Treatment and Prevention

• Mycoplasma (enzootic pneumonia): Tiamulin, tulathromycin, or doxycycline via water medication for 5–7 days. Vaccination (Ingelvac MycoFLEX or RespiSure) at 1–3 weeks of age significantly reduces severity. Available at accredited animal pharmacies in Cebu, Davao, CDO.
• Pasteurella: Ampicillin or amoxicillin injection (prescription), 3–5 days. Effective if started within 24 hours of fever onset.
• APP: Medical emergency. Requires immediate veterinary attention and aggressive antibiotic therapy. Mortality is high even with treatment if delayed beyond 12 hours.
• Swine flu: Self-limiting in healthy pigs. Supportive care — electrolytes in water, reduce stress. Antibiotics only for secondary bacterial complications.

Disease 6: Internal Parasites — The Silent Growth Thief

Parasites do not usually kill pigs outright. They do something worse economically: they quietly steal 10–20% of your feed investment by diverting nutrients away from growth. In backyard conditions with earth floors or poor hygiene, parasite prevalence reaches 40–80%.

Common Internal Parasites in Philippine Backyard Pigs

Deworming Schedule

Recommended Dewormers

• Ivermectin (1% injectable): 1 mL per 33 kg body weight, subcutaneous injection behind the ear. Effective against both internal AND external parasites. The most practical choice for backyard farmers because it treats worms and mange simultaneously.
• Fenbendazole (in-feed or oral): 5 mg/kg body weight for 1–3 days. Good for roundworms and whipworms.

Prevention

• Keep pens dry and well-drained — parasites thrive in muddy, wet conditions
• Remove manure at least every 2 days
• Concrete floors (not earth) dramatically reduce parasite egg survival
• Don't overcrowd pens

Disease 7: Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) — The Most Common Problem

Mange is arguably the most common health problem in backyard Philippine pigs. The hot, humid climate combined with close quarters, poor nutrition, and stress creates ideal conditions for mite infestations. Estimated prevalence in backyard herds: 50–70%.

Signs

• Intense scratching and rubbing against walls and posts
• Crusty, thickened skin — starts around ears, eyes, and snout
• Reddish pimples progressing to grayish-white crusts
• Hair loss, especially on ears, face, legs, flanks
• Chronic cases: entire body covered in thick, cracked skin
• Poor growth, feed refusal, restlessness
• Secondary bacterial infections in damaged skin

Treatment Protocol

Ivermectin (1% injectable solution):

• Dose: 0.3 mg/kg body weight = 1 mL per 33 kg, injected subcutaneously behind the ear
• Critical: Must treat TWICE, 14 days apart. The second dose kills mites that hatched from eggs after the first dose. A single dose will not cure mange.
• Treat ALL pigs in the herd simultaneously, not just visibly affected ones. Untreated pigs reinfest treated ones.

Topical supplement (for mild cases):

• Sulfur + coconut oil paste (mix powdered sulfur with coconut oil to make a thick paste, apply to affected areas). Has genuine acaricidal properties.
• Never use motor oil or diesel — traditional but toxic. Causes skin burns and liver damage through absorption.

Prevention

• Treat sows 2–3 weeks before farrowing to prevent transmission to piglets
• Quarantine and treat all new pigs before introducing to the herd
• Clean and disinfect pens between batches — mites survive off-host for 2–3 weeks
• Ensure adequate nutrition — well-nourished pigs are more resistant
• Avoid overcrowding

Local farmer tip:

"Kung nagkagot-kagot ang baboy ug gahi na ang panit, dili lang kalag-kalag — gahi na na nga galis. Duha ka turok sa ivermectin, 14 ka adlaw ang layo."

If the pig keeps scratching and the skin is thickening, that's not just an itch — it's full-blown mange. Two ivermectin shots, 14 days apart.

Disease 8: Heat Stroke — Minutes Count

Pigs cannot sweat. They have very few functional sweat glands. The Philippine climate (30–38°C daytime, high humidity) makes heat stress a year-round threat, especially during the March–May dry season. Pigs over 60 kg are at highest risk.

Symptoms (Recognize Quickly)

• Early: Rapid open-mouth breathing (panting), excessive drooling, reluctance to move
• Progressive: Skin turns bright red, rectal temperature above 40.5°C
• Severe/Emergency: Staggering, muscle tremors, collapse, convulsions, foaming at mouth
• Fatal: Coma, death within 15–30 minutes if untreated

Emergency First Aid

1. Move to shade if possible, or create shade over the pig
2. Pour cool (NOT ice-cold) water over the pig — head, neck, behind ears, belly, and groin. Ice-cold water causes blood vessel constriction and makes things worse.
3. Fan the pig to promote evaporative cooling
4. Apply wet towels to the groin, armpits, and behind ears (blood vessels close to surface)
5. Offer cool drinking water but do not force-drink an unconscious pig
6. Call the veterinarian for dexamethasone injection and IV fluids

Prevention

• Provide wallowing area or sprinklers — a shallow wallow is the cheapest and most effective cooling
• Adequate shade with high roof (3.5m+ at ridge)
• Open-sided housing oriented to catch prevailing wind
• Clean water always available — pigs need 8–20 liters/day, more in heat
• Reduce handling and transport during midday (10 AM–3 PM)
• Feed during cooler hours (early morning and late afternoon)
• Do not overcrowd — each finisher needs at least 1.5–2.0 m² of space

Disease 9: Mycotoxin Poisoning — The Hidden Feed Problem

The hot and humid Philippine climate (27–35°C, 70–90% humidity) provides ideal conditions for mold growth on stored feed ingredients. Corn — the primary energy source — is particularly susceptible to contamination by Aspergillus flavus (producing aflatoxins) and Fusarium species.

Signs of Mycotoxin Poisoning

• Acute: Feed refusal, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, labored breathing, sudden death
• Chronic (more common): Poor growth, rough hair coat, jaundice (yellowish skin/eyes), reproductive failure, swollen vulva in gilts, increased susceptibility to other diseases, yellow-tinged fat at slaughter

Prevention (Your Primary Defense)

1. Inspect corn before buying — reject any with visible mold, discoloration, or musty smell
2. Test moisture: Bite a kernel. Good corn (12–14% moisture) cracks cleanly with a sharp snap. High-moisture corn is chewy or dents.
3. Store properly — elevated, ventilated, never on bare concrete or earth floors
4. First in, first out — use older stock first. Don't store mixed feed more than 2 weeks in Philippine conditions.
5. Add mycotoxin binders — commercially available bentonite clay or activated charcoal products (₱30–₱50 per bag addition)
6. Never feed visibly moldy feed — the cost of discarding it is far less than sick pigs

Navel Infection (Omphalitis) in Piglets

The fresh umbilical cord stump is a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the piglet's bloodstream. In backyard conditions with dirty farrowing areas and earth floors, navel infection rates can exceed 30–50%.

What Happens

Bacteria (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, E. coli) enter through the wet navel stump. Infection travels to the liver, then spreads to joints ("joint ill") and other organs. Results: swollen, painful joints, lameness, poor growth, and often death within the first 2 weeks.

Signs

• Red, swollen, wet, or smelly navel cord
• Pus draining from the navel
• Piglet lethargic, not nursing, limping
• Swollen joints (knees, hocks) within the first 1–2 weeks

Prevention (Simple and Highly Effective)

1. Clean the farrowing area thoroughly before the sow farrows — scrub and disinfect
2. Dip the navel in 7% iodine solution within 15 minutes of birth — use a small cup, dip the entire cord, don't just dab. Repeat at 12–24 hours.
3. Do NOT cut the cord — let it break naturally or tear. Cutting with dirty scissors introduces infection.
4. Keep the farrowing pen dry — rice hulls, dry sawdust, or dry straw as bedding
5. Ensure colostrum intake within the first 6 hours — the antibodies in colostrum are the piglet's primary immune defense

Isolation Protocol: Step by Step

When any pig shows abnormal signs, follow this sequence immediately.

Step 1 — Remove the pig Move the affected pig to the isolation pen (which you should have ready before you have your first pig). Minimum 10 meters from main pen. Do this without waiting to "observe for a day."

Step 2 — Record Write down immediately: pig ID or description, date and time of first observation, rectal temperature (normal: 38.0–39.5°C), symptoms, feed intake, manure description, recent events (new pigs arrived, feed change, visitors, extreme weather).

Step 3 — Disinfect the pen and yourself Clean and disinfect the space where the sick pig was. Change your clothing and footwear before re-entering the main herd area. Wash hands.

Step 4 — Call your vet — and say these things

• How many pigs are affected vs. how many total
• Temperature reading
• Specific symptoms (skin color, stool, breathing, movement)
• How long symptoms have been present
• Vaccination history (what and when)
• Any new animals recently introduced
• Whether any neighbors have reported sick pigs

A vet who arrives at your farm with this information can act immediately. One who must gather all of this on site adds 30–60 minutes to response time.

Step 5 — Do not sell or move sick animals This is illegal under the Philippine Livestock and Poultry Diseases Act (RA 9482) and is the single largest factor in regional disease spread. A buyer offering to purchase obviously sick pigs knows what they are doing — do not participate.

Step 6 — Monitor the whole herd Check every pig's temperature daily for the next 10 days. Any pig above 40°C is fever. Document.

Quarantine Protocol for New Arrivals

Every new pig is a potential disease carrier. Even healthy-looking pigs can carry ASF, mange, parasites, and PRRS.

Minimum quarantine: 30 days. ASF incubation can be 5–19 days, so 30 days provides reasonable safety. Use separate boots, equipment, and feeding utensils. Care for quarantined pigs LAST — after tending to your healthy herd. Wash hands and change footwear between quarantine area and main herd.

Local farmer tip:

"Ang bag-ong baboy, ayaw dayon isagol. Hulata usa og 30 ka adlaw. Ang sakit nga dala niya, dili makita dayon."

Don't mix a new pig in right away. Wait 30 days first. The disease it carries may not show up immediately.

First Aid Kit: What Every Backyard Farmer Should Have

Total first aid kit investment: ₱1,000–₱2,500. This is not optional — it's cheaper than one dead pig.

For a complete vaccination timeline from piglet to market weight, see pig vaccination schedule Philippines.

Minimum Vaccination Schedule for Grow-Out Pigs

Visayas LGU subsidized vaccines: Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), Region 9 (Zamboanga), and Region 11 (Davao) all operate LGU veterinary subsidy programs for LHCV. Most municipal and city veterinary offices provide free or highly subsidized vaccination for registered backyard hog raisers. Registration is free — visit your municipal agriculture or veterinary office.

Common Medication Errors

These mistakes waste money and can make things worse.

Ivermectin Mistakes

• Using cattle/horse formulations at pig volumes. Always check concentration — for 1% ivermectin: 1 mL per 33 kg body weight.
• Single dose for mange. Mange requires TWO doses, 14 days apart. A single dose kills adult mites but eggs survive and hatch.
• Not treating all pigs. If one pig has mange, ALL pigs must be treated simultaneously.
• Injecting in the ham. Inject subcutaneously behind the ear, NOT intramuscularly in the ham (causes meat damage and residues).

Antibiotic Misuse

• Using antibiotics for viral diseases. Antibiotics do NOT treat ASF, hog cholera, or any viral infection. Using them wastes money and promotes resistance.
• Stopping too early. If prescribed 5 days, complete all 5 days even if the pig looks better by day 2.
• Using human medicines. Do not use human amoxicillin capsules from the pharmacy without veterinary guidance — dosing is different.
• No withdrawal period. After antibiotic treatment, wait 14–28 days (depending on the drug) before slaughtering for human consumption.

Vaccine Errors

• Expired vaccines. Always check expiration date.
• Broken cold chain. Vaccines must stay at 2–8°C. A vaccine left in the sun or a warm vehicle is useless. Transport in a cooler with ice.
• Vaccinating sick pigs. Never vaccinate a pig that is already sick or stressed — the vaccine won't work well and may make things worse.

Diseases You Can Catch From Pigs (Zoonotic Risks)

Filipino backyard farmers are at risk of several diseases that transfer from pigs to humans. ASF does NOT affect humans — you cannot get sick from ASF even if you handle infected pork (though selling it is illegal).

Highest-Risk Activities

• Home slaughter without gloves — Streptococcus suis meningitis can kill
• Walking barefoot in the piggery or in flood water — leptospirosis
• Eating raw or undercooked pork including kilawin — tapeworm, toxoplasmosis

Local farmer tip:

"Pagsugba, pagsug-ang — ayaw gyud kaon ug hilaw nga karne sa baboy. Ang uod sa tiyan gikan sa hilaw."

Grill it, cook it — never eat raw pork. Tapeworms come from eating it raw.

Simple Disease Record Keeping

A notebook is enough. These records help you spot patterns and give the vet useful information.

Per-Pig Record

Pig ID: Ear notch #3
Breed: LW×L cross
Date acquired: Jan 15, 2026
Weight at purchase: 15 kg

Vaccinations:
- Hog cholera: Feb 10, 2026
- Deworming: Feb 20, 2026 (Ivermectin 1mL)
- Deworming 2nd: Mar 6, 2026

Health events:
- Mar 5: Scratching, treated for mange (Ivermectin 1mL, repeat Mar 19)
- Jun 2: Diarrhea, gave ORS + oxytet, resolved Jun 5

Weekly Herd Log

Date: June 5, 2026
Pigs on hand: 12
Dead/Sold: 0
Sick pigs: Grower #7 – coughing, gave antibiotics
Feed consumed: 25 kg
Weather: Heavy rain, pen flooded
Action: Drained water, added lime to footbath

Herbal Remedies: What Works and What Doesn't

Bottom line: Herbal remedies can supplement conventional treatment for minor conditions. They should never be the sole treatment for serious diseases.

When to Call a Vet Immediately (No Waiting)

• Temperature above 40.5°C in any pig
• More than one pig showing fever simultaneously
• Any skin discoloration (red, purple, dark patches)
• Unexpected death of any pig
• Diarrhea affecting more than 20% of your herd
• Any suspicion of ASF — do not guess, do not wait
• Heat stroke signs (staggering, collapse, convulsions)
• Piglet diarrhea with deaths

BAI Emergency Hotline: (02) 8920-0116 DA Hotline: 1-800-10-DA-GATAS (1-800-1032-4827)

Davao Region contacts:

• DA-RFO XI (Davao Region): (082) 296-0107
• ADDL Davao (ASF testing): (082) 226-2373
• Davao City Veterinary Office: (082) 241-1011

Cebu Region contacts:

• DA-RFO VII (Central Visayas): (032) 261-4764
• Cebu City Veterinary Department: (032) 255-5268

Related Articles

• Post-ASF Pig Farming in the Philippines — the current disease landscape
• How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Pig? — vaccine and medication costs included
• Best Pig Breeds Philippines — breed disease resistance comparison
• How to Build a Backyard Piggery — pen design that reduces disease risk

Sources: Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Disease Control Division situation reports 2019–2026, FAO ASF Situation Update 12 February 2026 (76/82 provinces affected, 27 active barangays), WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) ASF Disease Card and 92nd General Session vaccine standard (June 2025), van den Born et al. 2025 "ASFV-G-ΔI177L is not genetically stable" (npj Vaccines 10:46), Philippine News Agency December 2025 (500,000 pigs vaccinated, 90% efficacy claimed), DA ASF regionalization guidelines November 2025, Vietnam DAHP gene sequencing data January 2026 (83% recombinant genotype I/II), Villegas et al. 2024 Philippine warty pig mortality Mt. Kitanglad (Asian Journal of Biodiversity), Portugaliza & Godinez 2024 ASF threat to Philippine endemic pigs (Annals of Tropical Research, VSU), DA-RFO VII and DA-RFO XI disease surveillance reports, Philippine Livestock and Poultry Diseases Act (RA 9482), UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine swine disease diagnostic guidelines, ADDL Davao case data summaries, pig333.com ASF research updates March 2025–March 2026, field reports from accredited veterinarians in Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Davao del Norte, and Cotabato provinces.