Posting for someone on another site ( homestead oriented) ..... mini pig very ill suddely and worse

[Sassenach]

Quoted:
Can anyone help with a pig? We have a mini pig, she was fine 2 days ago, eating normal and drinking. When we went to feed her the next morning, she looked like she hadn't eaten in a week and would eat or drink independently. I got her to drink finally. She has progressively gotten worse since then. Still hasn't eaten no more drinking unless made to, lethargic and patches of bright red skin. We are going to try to get antibiotics for her but we aren't able to take her to the vet.



I am new here, but nobody else has given her a hint.
I do not know if its contagious either. Any tips would help, identification if its common to pigs and what should be done. I know that she may just have to put it down, especially if she can't get proper antibiotics and cannot take it to a vet. Just need some info, if anyone catches this within hours. Thankyou.

 

[cassie]

Sounds like erysipelas. It has a sudden onset and one of the symptoms are red raised areas on the skin. Treatment is penicillin. You ought to be able to find penicillin at the local feed store or livestock supply. One thing about penicillin is that you have to give a LOT more than it says on the label. It does have a wide margin of safety. How much does this pig weigh? If it weighs in the neighborhood of a 100 pounds (pigs are dense and weigh more than they look like they do) I would give about 10cc's. You need to give it for at least five days.