4. Dietary, physical, & chemical diseases of skin & ears in respective pig categories

What treatment is used for dietary-related skin disease in swine?

Adjusting nutrition

What are examples of dietary related skin diseases?

1. Zinc deficiency

2. Iron and copper deficiency

3. Fat deficiency

4. Selenium deficiency

5. Salt deficiency

6. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, A

What is the pathogenesis of zinc deficiency in swine?

1. Diets high in phytic acid bind to zinc and form insoluble complexes, reducing zinc absorption

2. High levels of calcium can also decrease zinc bioavailability

What is parakeratosis in growing pigs?

A condition where red patches of skin become dry, crack, form a crust, and are accompanied by alopecia and diarrhoea

What does zinc deficiency in adults cause?

Reproduction failure

What is the difference between parakeratosis and hyperkeratosis?

• Parakeratosis is a disorder of keratinisation where cells retain their nuclei

• Hyperkeratosis is the excessive thickening of the stratum corneum due to increased keratin production

What are the clinical signs of iron and copper deficiency in newborn piglets?

Pale skin and mucous membranes, dull bristled hair, alopecia, decreased mobility, rapid breathing, and huddling

What is the treatment for iron and copper deficiency in piglets?

1. 200 mg iron dextran injection (2 ml) IM at days 3-5

2. OR orally on days 7, 10, and 15

What is the main essential fatty acid for pigs?

Linoleic acid is needed for production of essential long-chain FAs.

What is the main consequence of fat deficiency in growing pigs?

Hair loss, scaly dermatitis, skin necrosis on the neck and shoulders, and an unthrifty appearance

What are the clinical signs of fat deficiency in sows and piglets?

Dry skin, weight loss during lactation, poor growth in piglets

What are the clinical signs of selenium deficiency in swine?

Skin lesions including alopecia

What are the symptoms of salt deficiency in growing pigs?

Poor growth, decreased feed and water intake, and poor hair and skin

What are the symptoms of vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency in swine?

1. Excessive alopecia

2. Skin ulceration and dermatitis

3. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth

4. Transverse hoof cracking

5. Bleeding foot pads causing lameness

6. Infertility and anoestrus in sows

What are the symptoms of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency in growing pigs?

Slow gain, poor appetite, rough coat, skin exudates, cataracts, poor growth

What are the symptoms of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency in adult pigs?

Impaired reproduction, post-pubertal gilts fail to cycle but show no other clinical signs, anorexia, farrow dead piglets 4-16 days premature → have little hair, are often partially resorbed, may have enlarged forelegs

What are the clinical signs of vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency in young and older pigs?

• Young pigs: poor growth, diarrhoea

• Older pigs: dermatitis on ears, rough skin, paralysis, inflammatory lesions on the dorsum, decreased body weight, severe stomatitis (black tongue)

What are the symptoms of vitamin A (retinol) deficiency in pigs?

Dry coat, split hairs, seborrheic dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, anophthalmia, and microphthalmia

What are examples of physical skin diseases in swine?

1. Physical skin injuries

2. Pressure sores (adults)/skin necrosis (piglets)

3. Photosensitisation

4. Sunburn

5. Frostbite

What causes physical skin injuries in swine?

Fighting, biting, and rubbing against sharp materials such as barbed wire or sharp fences

What causes pressure sores in adult sows?

Lying for prolonged periods, especially on the shoulders, leading to tissue damage, interrupted blood flow, and skin infections

Where do piglets typically get pressure sores?

On concrete floors, often on knees and bony prominences, which may necrotise or become infected, potentially causing bacteraemia

What is photosensitisation in pigs?

A hypersensitivity where the skin reacts excessively to sunlight

What is the aetiology of photosensitisation?

1. Ingestion of photodynamic agents: alfalfa clover, oats, rape seeds.

2. Long-term treatment w/ tetracyclines, sulphonamides.

3. Accumulation of phylloerythrin in plasma due to impaired hepatobiliary excretion.

4. Possibly hereditary

What are clinical signs of photosensitisation?

Reddening/erythema of skin, oedema, vesicles, necrosis, crusting, ulceration

How is photosensitisation diagnosed?

1. CS, history of drugs & diet

2. Liver enzymes – AST, GGT, total bilirubin

3. USG, liver biopsy

What is the treatment for photosensitisation in swine?

Remove the source of the photodynamic agent, provide systemic antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, and treat any underlying hepatic disease

What are the clinical signs of sunburn in pigs?

Red, edematous, hot, painful skin that may blister, most commonly affecting ears and back, particularly in white or light-coloured breeds during summer

What is the treatment for sunburn?

Wound dressing. Provide shade, avoid prolonged sun exposure

What is frostbite in swine?

A winter problem caused by excessive cold exposure leading to damage to the skin

What are examples of chemical skin diseases?

1. Primary irritant contact dermatitis

2. Poisoning

What is primary irritant contact dermatitis in swine?

Skin inflammation caused by exposure to caustics, crude oil, diesel fuel, sprays, plants, urine, vomit, or bedding

What are clinical signs of primary irritant contact dermatitis?

Erythema, ulceration of skin

What is the treatment for primary irritant contact dermatitis?

Remove chemical, disinfection, ATBs for secondary infection

What are the causes of poisoning dermatitis?

1. Chlorinated naphthalenes (used in insulation/building material - blistering but not used much anymore)

2. Chronic arsenic poisoning (hypo/hyperpigmentation, keratosis)

3. Hypervitaminosis A (dry flaky skin)

What are the clinical signs of dermatitis caused by poisoning in swine?

Dry, scaly, thickened skin, corrugated appearance, hair loss, fissure formation, and possible secondary infection

What is the treatment for poisoning-related skin issues in swine?

Correct the underlying cause and use keratolytic agents to remove crusts

What clinical signs are seen in black pigs with Erysipelas?

Raised lesions can be felt by hand