Sunburn

Sunburns occur especially in white pigs housed outdoors.

Information

Sunburns are common in animals housed outdoors, especially in non-pigmented white breeds. Ultraviolet radiation not only damages the skin, but it also has implications on the reproductive system and maintaining gestation

 

Symptoms

Sows

  • Redness of the skin.
  • Blisters.
  • Moist dermatitis.
  • Pain.
  • Secondary bacterial infections.
  • Embryonic reabsorption.
  • Irregular returns.
  • Abortion.
  • Do not accept boar for mating.

Nursing piglets, nursery and fattening stage

  • Redness of the skin.
  • Blisters.
  • Moist dermatitis.
  • Pain.
  • Secondary bacterial infections.

 

Causes / Contributing Factors

  • Unpigmented reproducing animals.
  • Lack of shade fo protection.
  • Lack of puddles to wallow in extensive systems.
  • Poor maintenance of puddles.

 

Diagnosis

  • Based on clinical signs.

 

Control/Prevention

  • Move very affected pigs inside the facilities.
  • Apply protective creams.
  • Provide more puddles.

E-diagnostics

Pig disease diagnostic tool

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Atlas of pathology

Images of major swine diseases

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