[langdon]

has anyone ever heared of this regarding pigs?
one of our pigs seems to have it, the ear has swollen up, it looks like as if it
has been in a scrum!!
looked it up online and said it is caused by bashing each other and biting when playing
or like my pigs fighting at times when it comes to food.

[little blue]

is it round the eartag?
could be a bit of infection?

one of our girls has a big tear behind her tag - its still in place, just has a big hole through her ear poor thing

[Jackie 2]

My pigs don't have ear tags, should they? 

[little blue]

yes.
and their numbers should have been recorded on the aml2 (movement form) from what I remember (whole year ago and lots has happened since then!)

[langdon]

oursdont have tags since they are only for pork.
we are putting them in when they go off in the trailer.
i know if you are keeping boars and sows for breeding then the need is there.
langdon

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

We have had this before, it gets worse until you lance it!

Found the following on thepigsite.com for you:

What is commonly know as a haematoma, and should be filled with clearish, blood streaked fluid. This happens for various reasons ie people grabbing the pig by the ear, other pigs grabbing on the pigs ear, etc. This will seem weird to the pig and cumbersome, and the pigs head generally leans to one side, and it will eventually will become very tender to the pig, before it bursts.
Best way to treat them is to lance it with a sow needle(1 inch), and drain all the fluid out. Lance at the base, leave the needle in, allow the fluid to drain, then remove the needle. You may have to repeat this 2 or 3 times, until it discontinues to fill with fluid. Stradle the pig, clamp it between your legs, put your arm under its chin, hold its ear with the other, and get another person to lance it. Very easy if you know how, so have fun!

Thanks

[Jez]

As to the comments or instructions on How to lance a pigs ear, our large black boar (stan) aged 3 years he has a cauliflower ear I would like to see someone straddle him, clamp him between your legs, put your arm under his chin, hold his ear with the other, and get another person to lance it. Very easy if you know how, he stands about 1mt to the shoulder weighs in at 230kgs, and is very placid but watching somebody trying to lance his ear would be hilarious I pay good money to see that!!!!
His ear does not seem to bother him, the vet has said leave well alone unless it does 

[dixie]

We had a weaner like this, I sprayed purple spray and it went down after a few days. No they dont need tags yet, not until you take them to slaughter.

[langdon]

ours aint bothered about it either
plus i would love to see someone try that move on ours is well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi again,

Looks like my previous post caused a tad of amusement :-)

Obviously if the pig is not bothered by it, then let it be, however, I have seen it where the ear does get so swollen the pig holds its head on its side and cant right its head.

When that happens you have to do something, whether it be a 10Kg weaner or a 230Kg Boar, obviously amending the procedure for restraint to suit.

Yes it can be a worrying experience with a large animal, I remember only too well me and a vet in a livestock trailer trying to clip the hoofs of a 200Kg Sow who did not want her nails clipped !

Thanks

[dixie]

supplies for smallholders - my sow had her toenails clipped last year by my farrier, I rubbed her belly, farrier clipped her nails, while she decided to give birth! It was quite an evening, bless her she didnt care at all, just lay there purring

[langdon]

dixie what the heck is a farrier

[daniellestocks]

dixie what the heck is a farrier

Trims horses feet and shoes them etc, or a blacksmith also commonly known as, altho i think a blacksmith does more in making his own shoes etc
Danielle x