DISEASES OF PIGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22165, 19 July 1935, Page 5

DISEASES OF PIGS

TREATING SKIN TROUBLES

BT B.W.Ji.

Each year a large number of pics are lost or rejected through lack of prompt and proper treatment of minor ills. Skin disease exhibits itself in at least two forms—one affecting the back, sides, and head, and the other, the belly. The first form is usually termed "scale" or "scab," and the second "scald." The first of these is more readily noticed, and commences with a roughness of the skin which gradually changes to lumps. \ These are really masses of small sores, resembling the top of a smooth cauliflower, with the hair standing erect instead of lying on the skin, between and through these raised patches, cracks form, and ultimately bleed.

At this stage the animal is very visibly affected in growth, health and condition, and if further neglected may waste away and die. The cause of this form of skin trouble is a parasite which lays its eggs in the dirty pores and wrinkles of the skin. These hatch and feed on the skin substances, causing the small sores described.

The second form, usually termed "scald," affects the belly of the pig, and commences with a red or purple rash, which changes to a mass of pimples or lumps. This affection is not so severe in its influence on the pig's health, and does not to any marked extent retard prowth or fattening, but usunllv results in the carcase being condemned, or rejected. The standard treatment is as follows. —Take oil and kerosene equal parts and rub over every part of the body; the application being repeated in a few days with oil only. Two applications are usually sufficient to effect a complete cure, but the animal should not be marketed or slaughtered for at leasi six weeks after treatment, by which time all traces of the trouble will bav» disappeared, leaving the skin clean and healthy.

Prevention of all skin troubles can be secured by absolute cleanliness, not only of the -pens, but of the pigs also If the animals are hosed at fairly regular intervals, especially in hot weather, and oiled before being penned for fattening, skin trouble wul be unknown.