[norfolk newbies]

Hi, one of our GOS piglets has ' developed' a cauliflower ear. To those of you who have read any of my other piglet related posts, this is Stumpy ( tail foreshortened, although has also had a leg problem, now sorted. He is definately accident prone). The ear is swollen and lumpy in places, but still the same colour as normal.

I have no idea how it developed, as there are no obvious bite marks. It is the same ear that came out folded at birth, but that straightened out a while ago, so I do not think there is a connection.

So my question is, do I try and drain it with small syringe, (and then spray liberlay with Purple stuff), and presumably as there are several lumps this would require several pricks. Or should I leave well alone and see what happens? IHe has had it for a week and it does not seem to be going down. He does not seem to be in any discomfort, but it is quite big in comparison to his other ear, so it must feel odd.

Any suggestions gratefully received! (Also I know that without a picture it is dificult to tell, but if you think it might be anything more serious than the result of an injury - self inflicted or otherwise, please let me know)

thanks in advance
Jo

[Fowgill Farm]

Hi
We had a piglet born with a blue ear and all folded, the ear filled with blood as he grew, consulted the vet and he said it was a burst blood vessel and it would drain away on its own but would leave him with a cauliflower ear,which it has done it doesn't bother him and he's been christened curly. I'll just remember not to tag him on that ear!
HTH
mandy 

[robert waddell]

had a cat with the same problem

[little blue]

bless him!
We had one with barely any tail - just born that way... but being a kune, she developed the fluffy bit at the end of her tail, just on her back!

[jaykay]

I had a clumsy dog who had several in his lifetime.

You leave them be usually. They're haematomas, basically large blood blisters and as long as they're not likely to burst and make a right mess (in an indoor animal anyway) you leave them be, the blood granulises and it goes hard and cauliflowery. Doesn't matter, except giving whichever animal a rather rakish air 

[Stevie G]

Hi, one of our GOS piglets has ' developed' a cauliflower ear. To those of you who have read any of my other piglet related posts, this is Stumpy ( tail foreshortened, although has also had a leg problem, now sorted. He is definately accident prone). The ear is swollen and lumpy in places, but still the same colour as normal.

I have no idea how it developed, as there are no obvious bite marks. It is the same ear that came out folded at birth, but that straightened out a while ago, so I do not think there is a connection.

So my question is, do I try and drain it with small syringe, (and then spray liberlay with Purple stuff), and presumably as there are several lumps this would require several pricks. Or should I leave well alone and see what happens? IHe has had it for a week and it does not seem to be going down. He does not seem to be in any discomfort, but it is quite big in comparison to his other ear, so it must feel odd.

Any suggestions gratefully received! (Also I know that without a picture it is dificult to tell, but if you think it might be anything more serious than the result of an injury - self inflicted or otherwise, please let me know)

thanks in advance
Jo

Hi NN,
best way to prevent a cauliflower ear from forming is to LANCE the piglets ear at its base with a sow needle(1") so all the fluid drains(repeat  the process if necessary) and then remove the needle.
Under "NO" circummstances cut it open as this will allow "bugs" to gain access.
If you follow this then your pigs ear will remain normal.
Good Luck and let us know how you go if you do decide to do this.