Some skin conditions in pigs: types, control and prevention
Abstract
Skin conditions in pigs are common problems presented to the veterinary surgeon. A careful clinical examination, especially considering the age of the pig and the distribution of the lesions, all aids making an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Pain management is essential in clinical management.
Sarcoptic mange is a condition that can be eliminated from pigs and should be considered a welfare problem. Ear necrosis and trauma injuries can be particularly problematic and must be treated aggressively. African swine fever (ASF) presents with a range of clinical signs including skin lesions, and all veterinary surgeons must be able to put ASF as a differential where appropriate.
Farmers often overreact to conditions affecting the skin because the clinical signs can be so dramatic. It is therefore important that the clinician is able to recognise the major disorders of the skin and advise appropriate treatment plans. As a few of the disorders of the skin are self-limiting, it is also an opportunity for the clinician to demonstrate that antimicrobial treatment is not required. There are as many conditions of the pig's skin as there are in dogs and cats, and this article cannot cover them but a reading list is provided at the end of the article.
The position of the lesion on the pig can be very important in the differential diagnosis of disorders of the skin and a simple examination chart can be very revealing. The drawings can be customised for different breeds and even species — Figure 1 is for skin examination of the wart hog.
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