piggy dandruff

[mama24]

I was just out scratching my young Yorkshire gilt. Her whole body has dry skin just flaking off. I assume it isn't normal. What can i do for her? Also, probably unrelated, but worth mentioning, my goats had a bad case of sucking lice. I didn't see any on the pig, so I didn't treat her, but perhaps I should just in case?

 

[jhm47]

Highly doubtful that goat lice are on your pig. Most lice are highly species specific, so a transfer like this is very unlikely.

As to the flaky skin---it is most likely normal. All mammals are shedding skin cells at all times, and pigs are no different. They tend to wash off and are not noticed when pigs are able to wallow in mud or keep themselves hydrated by other means.

 

[mama24]

Thanks. It's finally raining today. It's been too cold to give the pig mud to wallow in like we did in the summer, and the ground has been so dry, it's basically just hard packed and where it isn't, fine dust that blows in the wind. It's been terribly dry. Hopefully the rain will wet her pen down and maybe that will help her skin. If it gets this dry again, maybe I'll start wetting her pen even if it's cold. Or maybe put some lotion on her. Lol

 

[redtailgal]

You can use corn huskers lotion on a pig

 

[VeganFarmer]

It is totally normal. They do this now and then, sometimes they'll shed their bristles at the same time, sometimes a different time (or times) in the year. You should brush your pig with a large, firm horse brush every few days, it'll aid the pig in the "shedding" process and the pig will love it!
If it really seems to be bothering your pig, there are some brands of lotion that should be fine for your pig, but you might want to Google it just to make sure, because I'm not positive on which ones are safe.
Good luck!!

 

[SheepGirl]

There was a 12 year old pot belly pig named Porky at the farm I worked at. He had really dry skin so every day we would rub baby oil on him. It made him smell nice but it didn't really make much of a difference!

 

[Cornish Heritage]

One of our girls has REALLY dry skin this year & I don't know why either. None of the other pigs are affected. Must be the air or something. Some moisturizer/oil will/should help.

Liz