White Male with sudden skin condition - please help worried sick!

[Big Mike & Teddy]

Hi all, I have just found your forums and joined to get some help for Ed Sheeran, my white Male pig.

I suddenly noticed he was being weird and squeaking a lot, I saw quite a lot of flies around his poop which is very unusual as their cage is cleaned every week without fail.

I took him out and saw the skin on the bottom of his back was matted and looked dirty, I bathed him in some warm water to loosen the fur and then I could see what look like yellow sores on his skin in a localised area, I have attached some pictures and I cannot find much info online but i'm worried.

Its weird because Stormzy his cage mate is fine and does not have any sores or skin conditions going on.......

I am going to take him to the vet asap but can anyone tell me what I might be facing here? any help much appreciated

 

[Siikibam]

Looks like something is up with his grease gland. the vet is your best option.

 

[Big Mike & Teddy]

thanks for the quick response Siikibam, is it a serious condition?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, I have just found your forums and joined to get some help for Ed Sheeran, my white Male pig.

I suddenly noticed he was being weird and squeaking a lot, I saw quite a lot of flies around his poop which is very unusual as their cage is cleaned every week without fail.

I took him out and saw the skin on the bottom of his back was matted and looked dirty, I bathed him in some warm water to loosen the fur and then I could see what look like yellow sores on his skin in a localised area, I have attached some pictures and I cannot find much info online but i'm worried.

Its weird because Stormzy his cage mate is fine and does not have any sores or skin conditions going on.......

I am going to take him to the vet asap but can anyone tell me what I might be facing here? any help much appreciated

Hi!

It looks like a problem with his grease gland. Please see a vet for a hands-on examination and diagnosis. There are several things that can affect the grease gland but they can usually be taken care of.

 

[Big Mike & Teddy]

Hi!

It looks like a problem with his grease gland. Please see a vet for a hands-on examination and diagnosis. There are several things that can affect the grease gland but they can usually be taken care of.

Wow what a great forum glad I found you lot, thanks for the info do you think this grease gland issue would attract flies to their cage? going to get him down the vet as soon as I can get an appointment

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi! Yes the grease gland is an area that makes the "greasy bum sweat" that piggies use to moisturise their fur and skin while grooming themselves, and also to tell their friends who they are- its like a smelly piggy facebook profile by their bum
Grease glands can become over active and/or can be neglected during self grooming, then a bum bath and some de-greasing with coconut oil can help, but they can also get infected in which case they need vet attention.
They certainly can attract flies, piggies who can't/won't clean themselves well can get flystrike in this area- and my 2 piggies with overly mucky bum glands get them washed very thoroughly every 2 or 3 weeks in the summer weather for this reason. But its always worth a vet check, especially if it looks sore or inflamed as it does in this case- its a natural area for bacteria to breed and can get clogged up and start to get infected with looks like it may be the case here x

 

[Claire W]

Let us know what the vet says

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Please let us know how you you get on at the vets

 

[Wiebke]

Wow what a great forum glad I found you lot, thanks for the info do you think this grease gland issue would attract flies to their cage? going to get him down the vet as soon as I can get an appointment

You are not dealing with an open wound, just most likely a badly overactive grease gland which is showing up much more on white fur.

Here is more information on grease glands and general boar care: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

If you are seriously worried about flies in warm weather, I would recommend that you invest in a fly/mosquito net; especially in view of a hotter climate.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

You may find our information collection very helpful for bookmarking and use as a resource. The guide format allows us to update and add at need. We are addressing the most often asked questions and problem areas in the kind of practical detail that most books gloss over. You can access all information guides on an even wider range of topics via the shortcut on the top bar, but you are always welcome to ask any questions in our Care sections.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Big Mike & Teddy]

Hi all just an update took him to the out of hours vet to get him checked up and he is fine, they shaved his fur and cleaned him up, happy to say that he did not have any infection and no flystrike! phew

 

[Big Mike & Teddy]

You are not dealing with an open wound, just most likely a badly overactive grease gland which is showing up much more on white fur.

Here is more information on grease glands and general boar care: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

If you are seriously worried about flies in warm weather, I would recommend that you invest in a fly/mosquito net; especially in view of a hotter climate.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

You may find our information collection very helpful for bookmarking and use as a resource. The guide format allows us to update and add at need. We are addressing the most often asked questions and problem areas in the kind of practical detail that most books gloss over. You can access all information guides on an even wider range of topics via the shortcut on the top bar, but you are always welcome to ask any questions in our Care sections.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Will look into the cleaning guide cheers!

 

[Posyrose]

I'm glad Ed is ok.

 

[Wiebke]

Glad that it was just overproduction! Best get hold of some coconut oil at the supermarket!

Please be aware that too frequent bathing will actually contribute to stimulating it in order to restore the oil coat on the skin, so it is only recommended as a one off when it gets really bad. Otherwise, coconut oil is the better method to keep a mucky grease gland clean.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

That's good news!
Just another of those occasional, delightful aspects of being a piggie slave, especially of boars. This thread might help regarding ongoing care etc to prevent repeat performances ..
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

 

[VickiA]

Just caught up with your thread and glad to hear all is ok. I’d definitely recommend keeping a jar of coconut oil from the supermarket to hand for dealing with any grease gland issues. And thank you for the photo of his ever so slightly relieved face . He’s a very handsome chap. I bet he’s glad you’ve stopped taking photos of his bum!

 

[Big Mike & Teddy]

Just caught up with your thread and glad to hear all is ok. I’d definitely recommend keeping a jar of coconut oil from the supermarket to hand for dealing with any grease gland issues. And thank you for the photo of his ever so slightly relieved face . He’s a very handsome chap. I bet he’s glad you’ve stopped taking photos of his bum!

 

[Big Mike & Teddy]

Glad that it was just overproduction! Best get hold of some coconut oil at the supermarket!

Please be aware that too frequent bathing will actually contribute to stimulating it in order to restore the oil coat on the skin, so it is only recommended as a one off when it gets really bad. Otherwise, coconut oil is the better method to keep a mucky grease gland clean.

will do! was thinking about giving Ed and Stormzy a wash every 3 weeks or so to keep this from happening again, thanks all for your nice messages of support and the guides, I had no idea I was a piggie slave!

 

[Siikibam]

Glad to hear all is well with his behind

 

[Merab]

So good to hear all is well.
Good for you getting him to the vet so promptly

 

[Naomi34]

Hi there. Just found your post while looking for a solution to what looks similar with my piggies bottom. What did the vet do? Is it something that could be done without having to take him to the vet?

 

[Betsy]

This is an old thread. I suggest you starting another one so it will be seen by the relevant members who can help you.

 

[Swissgreys]

Hi there. Just found your post while looking for a solution to what looks similar with my piggies bottom. What did the vet do? Is it something that could be done without having to take him to the vet?

Every pig is different and every problem individual.

If your piggy shows similar signs he really needs to see a vet.
Just becasue this particular piggy did not have an infection doesn't mean that yours won't, so always best to rule out bigger problems first with a hands on check by a qualified vet.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there. Just found your post while looking for a solution to what looks similar with my piggies bottom. What did the vet do? Is it something that could be done without having to take him to the vet?

Hi!

Please start your own support thread and don't restart old threads as this can become very confusing. This one is 3 months old.