10-10-2025, 10:41 PM
Below is a quick reference guide for pig medication — written for Nigerian farmers.
Save it to your phone or note it down in your farm record book. It will help you avoid guesswork and keep your pigs healthy.
1. Piglets (3–5 days old)
Give 2 ml of Iron Dextran (100 mg/ml) by intramuscular (IM) injection.
Target dose is 100 to 200 mg iron per piglet.
Calculation: 200 mg ÷ 100 mg/ml = 2 ml
This is very important - many piglets die from anemia if not given iron.
Inject in the neck or thigh using a clean 21–22 gauge needle.
Iron Dextran strengthens blood and gives the piglet a strong start.
Common brands: Ferrodex, Iron-Dex, Aniferon, Pigferon.
2. At 6–8 weeks
Use Ivermectin 1% (10 mg/ml) – 1 ml for every 33 kg body weight (under the skin).
Target dose: 0.3 mg/kg [10mg/ml ÷ 33kg]
Example: 33 kg × 0.3 mg ÷ 10 mg/ml = 1 ml
It clears worms, mange, and lice.
Repeat every 3–4 months to keep your pigs clean inside and out.
Local brands: Ivomec, Noromectin, Ivermax, Ivomec Super (with clorsulon).
3. Weaners (8–12 weeks)
After weaning, piglets easily get stressed and lose appetite.
Give 1–2 ml multivitamins in the muscle to boost appetite and reduce stress.
Target dose: about 0.5–1 ml per 10 kg body weight.
Example: 20 kg pig × 0.5 ml ÷ 10 kg = 1 ml
Use any good multivitamin injection containing Vitamins A, D3, E and B-complex.
4. Growers (12–20 weeks)
This stage is all about growth, and deworming helps a lot.
Option A – Levamisole 7.5% (75 mg/ml):
Target = 7.5 mg/kg orally.
Example: 50 kg pig × 7.5 mg ÷ 75 mg/ml = 5 ml.
Give 5 ml per 50 kg by mouth or in feed.
Option B – Albendazole 10% (100 mg/ml):
Target = 10 mg/kg orally.
Example: 50 kg × 10 mg ÷ 100 mg/ml = 5 ml.
Give 5 ml per 50 kg, repeat every 3–4 months.
This improves feed conversion, weight gain, and overall health.
5. Finishers (20 weeks to market)
Normally, they don’t need routine injections unless they fall sick.
If you notice coughing or infections, give Oxytetracycline LA 300 (300 mg/ml).
Target = 20 mg/kg IM (intramuscular).
Example: 50 kg × 20 mg ÷ 300 mg/ml = 3.3 ml.
Give 3.3 ml per 50 kg IM, repeat after 48 hours if needed.
This controls pneumonia, coughing, and other bacterial infections.
Note: Stop using it at least 28 days before slaughter.
6. Breeding Sows (before mating and farrowing)
Give Ivermectin 1% (1 ml per 33 kg) and important vaccines such as:
Parvovirus vaccine
Erysipelas vaccine
These should be given 2–3 weeks before mating.
This protects both the sow and her unborn piglets from infection and stillbirth.
[b]7. Boars (breeding males)[/b]
To keep them active and fertile, give Ivermectin 1% (1 ml/33 kg) every 3–4 months.
Also give 2 ml multivitamins IM monthly to boost fertility and stamina.
[b]Important Notes[/b]
1. Always weigh or estimate your pig’s weight before dosing — don’t guess.
You can use a weighing tape or chart to estimate.
2. Use clean needles and inject properly — most are intramuscular (IM), some subcutaneous (under the skin).
3. Stick to your schedule. Don’t wait till pigs fall sick before treating.
4. Store drugs properly: keep below 25 °C, away from sunlight.
5. If unsure, consult a qualified Veterinary Doctor before giving any medication.
This isn’t just about saving money — it’s about raising stronger, healthier pigs that grow faster, reproduce better, and give you more profit at market.
Save it to your phone or note it down in your farm record book. It will help you avoid guesswork and keep your pigs healthy.
1. Piglets (3–5 days old)
Give 2 ml of Iron Dextran (100 mg/ml) by intramuscular (IM) injection.
Target dose is 100 to 200 mg iron per piglet.
Calculation: 200 mg ÷ 100 mg/ml = 2 ml
This is very important - many piglets die from anemia if not given iron.
Inject in the neck or thigh using a clean 21–22 gauge needle.
Iron Dextran strengthens blood and gives the piglet a strong start.
Common brands: Ferrodex, Iron-Dex, Aniferon, Pigferon.
2. At 6–8 weeks
Use Ivermectin 1% (10 mg/ml) – 1 ml for every 33 kg body weight (under the skin).
Target dose: 0.3 mg/kg [10mg/ml ÷ 33kg]
Example: 33 kg × 0.3 mg ÷ 10 mg/ml = 1 ml
It clears worms, mange, and lice.
Repeat every 3–4 months to keep your pigs clean inside and out.
Local brands: Ivomec, Noromectin, Ivermax, Ivomec Super (with clorsulon).
3. Weaners (8–12 weeks)
After weaning, piglets easily get stressed and lose appetite.
Give 1–2 ml multivitamins in the muscle to boost appetite and reduce stress.
Target dose: about 0.5–1 ml per 10 kg body weight.
Example: 20 kg pig × 0.5 ml ÷ 10 kg = 1 ml
Use any good multivitamin injection containing Vitamins A, D3, E and B-complex.
4. Growers (12–20 weeks)
This stage is all about growth, and deworming helps a lot.
Option A – Levamisole 7.5% (75 mg/ml):
Target = 7.5 mg/kg orally.
Example: 50 kg pig × 7.5 mg ÷ 75 mg/ml = 5 ml.
Give 5 ml per 50 kg by mouth or in feed.
Option B – Albendazole 10% (100 mg/ml):
Target = 10 mg/kg orally.
Example: 50 kg × 10 mg ÷ 100 mg/ml = 5 ml.
Give 5 ml per 50 kg, repeat every 3–4 months.
This improves feed conversion, weight gain, and overall health.
5. Finishers (20 weeks to market)
Normally, they don’t need routine injections unless they fall sick.
If you notice coughing or infections, give Oxytetracycline LA 300 (300 mg/ml).
Target = 20 mg/kg IM (intramuscular).
Example: 50 kg × 20 mg ÷ 300 mg/ml = 3.3 ml.
Give 3.3 ml per 50 kg IM, repeat after 48 hours if needed.
This controls pneumonia, coughing, and other bacterial infections.
Note: Stop using it at least 28 days before slaughter.
6. Breeding Sows (before mating and farrowing)
Give Ivermectin 1% (1 ml per 33 kg) and important vaccines such as:
Parvovirus vaccine
Erysipelas vaccine
These should be given 2–3 weeks before mating.
This protects both the sow and her unborn piglets from infection and stillbirth.
[b]7. Boars (breeding males)[/b]
To keep them active and fertile, give Ivermectin 1% (1 ml/33 kg) every 3–4 months.
Also give 2 ml multivitamins IM monthly to boost fertility and stamina.
[b]Important Notes[/b]
1. Always weigh or estimate your pig’s weight before dosing — don’t guess.
You can use a weighing tape or chart to estimate.
2. Use clean needles and inject properly — most are intramuscular (IM), some subcutaneous (under the skin).
3. Stick to your schedule. Don’t wait till pigs fall sick before treating.
4. Store drugs properly: keep below 25 °C, away from sunlight.
5. If unsure, consult a qualified Veterinary Doctor before giving any medication.
This isn’t just about saving money — it’s about raising stronger, healthier pigs that grow faster, reproduce better, and give you more profit at market.