The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: violet on July 27, 2009, 10:41:27 pm
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Hi Folks,
Well I collected my Tamworth weaners just over a week ago - :pig: what a bundle of fun they have been!
The first thing they did on arrival was sunbathe and got sunburnt. I thought that Tamworths didn't get sunburn :dunce: so I'm guessing as they were living mainly indoors with their Mum still and are young that they are more vulnerable. This was little problem the sun left and I've been applying Aloe Vera gel with great success.
But then the sun returned and they did it again - except this time they seem to have puffy eyelids too and a couple look as if they've been crying a little :'( and are not too happy - Poor wee mites. Could this be sun related too or could there be something else that they may have reacted too?
They have plenty of shade and have turned the ground so well they should be able to wallow, but haven't yet. I know I should get calamine lotion - would using sunblock be OK?
Any help or advice with this would be gratefully recieved - I have given them the homeopathic remedy apis mellius 6C, as that is all I have for this, but will wait untill tomorrow to see if it's helped.
What I really want is to avoid this in the future, find the cause and something that will help to clear it up for them. So thanks folks for reading and in anticipation of your posts. :)
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Definitely use a waterproof sunblock, especially around the ears. I know does not matter how much shade is available they will still sunbathe, a wallow helps. I use E40 cream with great effect as an after sun treatment.
Bath eyes with either slightly saline water or water with a mild antiseptic added. (Been out of UK for a long time not sure what is available now).
Wonderful choice tamworths.
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Thanks Hilarysmum,
sorry for the delay, but my computer's been playing up ::)
They seem on the road to recovery now ... I stock up on sunblock for the kids at the end of summer sales - so I've got loads. I'll give the saline a try too - I tried chamomile tea ( cooled first!), but a couple of them still look quite bad.
Their not the easiest of patients are they!
will let you know of their progress. Thanks again
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Violet
I tend to encourage them to wallow if you know it is going to get really hot, this does involve getting right in there and covering them with the muddy water but it is one big game at that age and it does prevent sunburn. Obviously if they then get in the clean water and wash it off, you need to reapply the mud treatment.
Have fun and good luck
Zelda
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Zelda that sounds like fun, especially on a hot day.
Violet sounds like you are doing the right thing.
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Thanks Zelda,
Yes it does sound like fun! When I mentioned this to a friend she said that if two of us did it we could sell tickets ;D
I have been applying the sunblock and it seems to be helping. Their skin is peeling now too though and they keep scratching and get really carried away - it must be really itchy poor things.
They have embraced mud and with the scatching, peeling skin, sunblock and muddy layers are looking rather manky - but they are very happy little :pig: :love:
So thanks for all your help folks,
cheers
Violet.
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For the dry skin go to Boots Chemist (does it still exist?) aks for Emulsifying cream. You need a fairly large tub. Rub this on the dry areas and hey presto, next day perfect pig skin.