[loosey]

A couple of my pigs are a bit itchy the last couple of days. They go crazy if you scratch them and their skin feels dry and flaky. I can't see any evidence of mites of lice on them but one of my boars has kind of lumpy bit on his tummy? Any ideas?

[Hilarysmum]

Have you looked inside their ears.  It wont hurt to use louse powder anyway.  Without seeing the boar's lump its difficult to say, could be a bite, or a cyst or something more serious.  Best to keep an eye on it.  If it doesn't disappear soon perhaps check with the vet?  (I know its expensive).  For the flaky skin rub in some oil which if they do have lice will also help with the removal.

[loosey]

Hi HM ... sorry I'm rubbish at explaining ... it more like tiny little bumps, almost like a rash.

His ears do look a bit dirty actually? Should I clean them myself or have the vet?

I have litres of pig oil but it has flower of sulphur in it for my horses feathers for controlling mites, can it be used on the pigs or do I need to grab someone without the sulphur?

Loads of questions, I don't like to see them looking uncomfortable! 

[Eve]

Dirty ears? Ours carry tons of mud around in theirs!
I've occasionally used ordinary baby oil, never bought real pig oil. But generally they don't have moist skin anyway (nothing like ours, I mean), they always love having a scratch and it's quite normal to see flaky bits along their back. If they're not constantly scratching, it's probably ok.

I'm hoping to get my hands on one of those roller things like from a car wash, only smaller - 24/7 self service scratching! If I can get a waterhose connected to it, it'll be the first ever Pig-O-Wash! 
These brushes exist for cattle, so why not for pigs, hey? 


Eve 

[Hilarysmum]

Pig oil should be fine.  The lumps could be nettle rash.  A pig wash now that is an idea. 

[loosey]

A pig o wash sound brilliant eve!!

Thank you HM, they have been wandering around in the nettles, I'm going to oil them this evening and see if the improve.

Should I be worried about cleaning their ears?

[Fowgill Farm]

Hi Lossey
I clean my pigs ears with cotton wool and cotton buds dipped in olive or baby oil.
Do it while they're sleeping, you may find at the initial touch to inside the ear they shake their heads so be prepared for an ear slap in the face (it stings!! if they catch you!) then clean round the outer of ear with the cotton wool and use the cottton buds for the smaller crevices (as you would with a baby/toddler!)
My old pig delia loves having her ears done as she suffrers black gunk syndrome!
HTH
mandy

[loosey]

Thanks mandy - another nice job for this evening!