Pigs Sunburn First Aid

Often, when considering the prevention and treatment of sunburn, we fail to realize that our livestock is as vulnerable to the sun's harsh rays as are we. While pigs sunburn less easily than do we, it is still possible and must be treated. Below are some ways in which this may be approached.

As is true for humans, it is important to leave the sun immediately upon noticing the onset of a burn. This may be more difficult to spot due to your pig's coat, but sunburn on noses, ears or other more exposed areas is usually more easily noticed. Ensure that your pigs have a shaded area in which to move during hot parts of the day. The shaded area should include both open space and an enclosed area so livestock can both enter by choice and be caged while recovering from burns.

Dehydration often sets in shortly after a sunburn, so the shaded area should include a plentiful supply of water. It may be best to place your pigs' main water supply in a shaded area, thus requiring them to seek shade throughout the day in order to drink. This also lessens wasteful evaporation caused by exposing water to direct sunlight.

Other remedies that apply to humans are equally applicable when pigs sunburn. If the burn is near an eye, it is probably best to let nature run its course rather than risking infection due to non-sterile application procedures. Apply aloe vera extract to the burned areas as frequently as possible. Also, while lessening pain may not have benefits that are immediately obvious, pain increases stress, which minimizes energy available for other processes, and an animal in pain, will recover from sunburn and other injuries more slowly and less completely than one that is happy and pain-free. Help lessen this by administering painkillers, and by applying a cool and moist cloth to the burned tissue as frequently as possible.

Since pigs lack the ability to make decisions and judgment calls, taking preventative measures is much better by far than is treating a burn after the fact. Here are a few factors of which to be aware when adopting a strategy to prevent pigs sunburn.

First, take your pig's skin tone into account. Lighter tones tend to burn more easily and warrant special consideration and observation.

Next, if your routine involves access to pastures for exercise, do this during times when sunlight is less direct. UV rays are most present from 10:00 A.M. until about 4:00 P.M., so by only permitting exercise outside of these times, the risk of sunburn is minimized.

Also, pigs enjoy wallowing in mud, which, in addition to being enjoyable, is a quite effective sunburn treatment and prevention mechanism. The cool mud reduces pain and may prove more effective than the moist cloth suggested above. The mud also acts as an effective sun block, preventing harmful UV rays from impacting the skin. Providing a muddy patch in the shade is another means of both treating sunburn and encouraging sun avoidance.

Healthy, happy livestock are more productive than are those suffering from disease or other injury. Acting to prevent pigs sunburn is an important and often overlooked aspect of overall agricultural health.