The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: waterboy on March 13, 2011, 08:17:10 pm

Title: A wrong pigs ear!
Post by: waterboy on March 13, 2011, 08:17:10 pm

Hi all,

 When i was feeding and going round my pigs this morning i noticed that one of my 16 week olds had something wrong with its ear, on closer inspection one ear was swollen up and was hanging down and seemed full of fluid. The ear was painfull to the touch but the piglet seemed happy enough otherwise and was eating normally.
 I assumed that the ear was infected and full of puss so decided to nick a hole in it to drain it down but when i eventually managed to get him to cooperate and cut the skin a lot of watery blood spurted out, i cleaned him up and gave the cut a dousing with antiseptic spray.

 I'm now wondering what caused the problem and if its a common thing with pigs, was it something like a blood blister that caused the swelling or an infection and should i get a course of antibiotics from the vets just to make sure?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Rob

Title: Re: A wrong pigs ear!
Post by: little blue on March 13, 2011, 08:24:53 pm

are they tagged yet?  could this be the cause?
 it sounds like "cauliflour ear" like rugby players get (!) from your description, is this right?
 or an injury, like it being chewed on...

If the antiseptic spray doesnt seem to clear it up, maybe antibiotics are needed...
  are the others all healthy otherwise?
no excessive itching, skin problems or anything?

Title: Re: A wrong pigs ear!
Post by: waterboy on March 13, 2011, 08:38:53 pm

 It looked a bit like a cauliflower ear but he hasn't got any tags yet. Him and his brothers and sisters are very active and playful so it could be that hes picked up a battle wound, i cant see any other problems with any of them  and they are all acting normally.I'm just going to have to keep a close eye on his ear for signs of it getting any worse.
Thanks Rob

Title: Re: A wrong pigs ear!
Post by: little blue on March 13, 2011, 08:43:53 pm

then Im sure he'll be fine!
:)

Title: Re: A wrong pigs ear!
Post by: supplies for smallholders on March 13, 2011, 08:47:54 pm

Hi,

It is common, and yes you did the right thing lancing it.

It can be caused by a nick or a bite, the hole should be big enough to let the fluid drain.

Have a look at this link :

http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/article/331/haematoma (http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/article/331/haematoma)

Title: Re: A wrong pigs ear!
Post by: waterboy on March 13, 2011, 08:52:23 pm

Thanks for the help its put my mind at rest a bit ;D