The Duchess Fund

The overall purpose of the Duchess Fund is to enlarge the amount and enhance the quality of data available to the individual practitioner relative to the care and needs of potbellied (and other miniature) pet pigs as a long term companion animal. It is expected that the fund will promote, encourage and support research that leads to an extended life as well as optimal quality of life.

Specific objectives include:

• Establish and maintain a repository for existing and new data that is both conveniently accessible and supportive of research efforts.
• Collect existing data that is currently held by individuals, practitioners and universities and incorporate into the central database.
• Promote orderly data collection efforts such as surveys of breed characteristics and health conditions and integrate results into the database.
• Fund diagnostic studies and necropsies that have a high probability of adding to the available store of knowledge and might not otherwise be affordable for some pet owners.
• Support projects that have a high probability of enhancing our ability to extend and improve the quality of life for pet pigs.
• Organize and support conferences that bring researchers together to share new data on quality of life management for miniature pet pigs.
  

The medical records are completely confidential and only a case number is used for identification purposes. The Duchess Fund retains access to the owners and veterinarians names should future follow up be required on certain cases. Veterinarians world-wide may search on-line for specific cases using criteria such as "symptoms" and "diagnosis" in the database.

We will be offering a video tape on the website illustrating routine veterinary care of potbellied pigs including neuters, spays, hoof trims, tusk trims, vaccinations and blood withdrawal among a few. Our Medical Library will have a host of articles pertaining to diseases and conditions of potbellied pigs as well as links to other resources. We will continue to enlarge the library.

The contribution of your pet pig's medical records enables us to fulfill the goals of the medical database. Please print out a release form and forward to your Veterinarian so that we may obtain and add your pet pig's medical records to our confidential medical database. We appreciate records on both living and deceased pet pigs.

Your monetary donations to this Fund empowers us to financially contribute to various medical projects and research which are aimed at fulfilling the goals of the Duchess Fund. Make check payable to "Duchess Fund"