The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: HappyHippy on June 16, 2011, 01:29:05 pm

Title: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 16, 2011, 01:29:05 pm

I'm at a bit of a loss  ???
My Kune Kune boar (3 years old) had developed tough patches on his shoulders which extend down towards the knee joint on his front legs - it's almost like a plate in the top layers of skin, I can feel around it and get my fingers under it. It's not causing him any distress.
There's no redness or irritation, he's been treated with noromectin so I'm ruling out mange and it doesn't look like greasy pig disease either.
He's fine in himself, eating, drinking, pooing normally and no temp.
I had wondered about zinc deficiency - but have been told that normally starts on the stomach and towards the back end, so don't think it's that.
He gets about 1lb of pig nuts every day along with loads of fruit and has about half an acre of grass between him and his 'wife'.
Does anyone have any experience of this or ideas of what it could be ?
Thanks, Karen  :wave:

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: gavo on June 16, 2011, 02:11:20 pm

Both our mature boars  OSB and Tam (6 and 10) have this it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about our vet has seen them both with this and is not worried by it.They started to develop it at aruond your boars age.

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 16, 2011, 03:38:37 pm

Ah, thanks Gavo  :-* So I'm getting myself in a panic over nothing (that's not like me  ::) ;))
Does it spread over their whole body or stay confined to the shoulders and forelegs ?
Thanks, Karen x

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: gavo on June 16, 2011, 06:22:00 pm

Mainly stays around the area of their shoulders but they can get a bit thick on the rump.

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: thestephens on June 16, 2011, 08:29:18 pm

our old boar had this too and was told it was like their "armour" protection when fighting??

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 16, 2011, 08:49:08 pm

I did wonder if it was armour plating for fighting  ;)
I'm just glad there's nothing wrong with him.
Thanks for your reassurances
Karen  :wave:

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 17, 2011, 10:31:01 am

If you are concerned, just a thought, try emulsifying ointment - big tub from Boots around £5. 

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 17, 2011, 11:18:09 am

Thanks HM.
I did wonder about pig oil or E45 cream - the 'plate' is fairly thick though (I reckon around an inch) so wasn't sure if anything would penetrate it - I'll look out for ointment next time I'm in Boots.
Karen x

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: Berkshire Boy on June 17, 2011, 11:22:24 am

Oinkment you mean. ;D Sorry couldn't resist

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: thestephens on June 17, 2011, 12:20:20 pm

nothing used to work on old george, pig oil used to run off, maybe a cream would work better!

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: robert waddell on June 17, 2011, 12:22:11 pm

maybe it is an armadilo :wave:

Title: Re: Help ! Skin thickening in boar ?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 17, 2011, 12:32:01 pm

Quote from: Berkshire Boy on June 17, 2011, 11:22:24 am

Oinkment you mean. ;D Sorry couldn't resist

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Can't believe I missed that one  ;)