ThePigSite Pig Health
Photosensitisation
(474) This occurs in outdoor pigs that have been in contact with substances that make the skin sensitive to ultra violet radiation. These include alfalfa, clover, rape, lucerne and a fungus that grows at the base of grass in dry weather, pythomyces charterum. Certain medicines, in particular tetracyclines and sulphonamides can also have a similar affect following prolonged use. The disease is characterised by a reddening or erythema over the white areas that are exposed to sunlight. The affected surfaces are damaged and become coagulated with serum followed by secondary bacterial infection and eventually a thick crust is formed. These changes cause a considerable amount of pain and affected animals should be moved indoors and if necessary given broad spectrum long-acting antibiotic treatment by injections. Amoxycillin could be used. Animals may abort or absorb the embryos.Share This
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