My mini pig has an itchy, scabbed leg lump. What should I do about it?

Thanks for reaching out about Oliver. Parasitic and bacterial dermatitis are common problems in pigs, and can possibly be transmitted to dogs. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Both of these causes can be very itchy and uncomfortable but either anti-parasitics or antibiotics have a good prognosis. Good luck.

I'm sorry to hear that Tigre has been so itchy! The bumps and scabs that you describe sound most suspicious for a skin infection. These skin issues typically occur as a result of underlying allergies (to fleas, food or the environment), ringworm, or mange. When dogs itch as a result of these changes, they can cause a bacterial skin infection by damaging their own skin, which is also itchy, and only makes matters worse. Make sure that Tigre is receiving a high quality flea and tick preventative, such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II. You can also try bathing him with an antimicrobial/anti-itch shampoo (here is one example: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27981 ). When you are not directly watching him, it may be worth using an e-collar (cone) for the next week or so to prevent further skin damage. However, if the skin lesions persist or worsen, Tigre will need to go to his vet for further evaluation. He may need oral antibiotics or anti-itch medication. I hope this helps and that he's feeling better soon!

This looks like a little skin wart which are usually nothing to worry about. It doesn't look red or infected at the moment. It could be that she has an underlying skin allergy that is causing the itching. If you are worried you should take her to the vet for an examination. Alternatively you could try giving her a daily antihistamine to see if that settles the itch.

I suggest you apply this wound spray 3-4 times per day. If that doesn't help within a few days then he needs to see a vet. Also, monitor him closely to be sure he is urinating OK. It almost looks like urine scald like he has been laying in urine. It does not look like ant bites. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-8649-vetericyn-plus-livestock-utility-spray-16-oz.aspx )

It could be skin mites (mange), ringworm or any number of other skin issues. I cannot diagnose him just by looking at a photo. I suggest you have Oliver to the vet for an exam. Some of these skin diseases can be contagious to humans.

It's difficult to tell exactly what's going on here without seeing the lesion and being able to do some testing, but I am suspicious of a skin infections. These infections can be due to fungi, bacteria, parasites, or all of the above. There is often a primary problem that causes the itch, so if Maggie has been itching for a while, then it's best to get the source of the itch discovered by a vet. I'll give you a few tips for dealing with a skin infection, but if the lesion gets worse, or is not getting any better within a week of treatment, then I'd recommend you have a vet evaluate Maggie. I recommend doing the following every day until the skin appears normal again: 1) Clip the hair around the area and expose all of the lesions. 2) Wash the area with warm water and a medicated shampoo (can get this at the pet store) once a day. Use a cloth and gently wipe away the scabs. Do not scrub, because it will irritate the skin more. It's OK if all of the scabs do not come off in each washing. 3) Make sure the area is completely dry after washing. I hope that helps and all is well with Maggie.

Unfortunately it is hard to tell what that lump is just by the picture. I would recommend you take her in to see your vet for an exam and potentially a fine needle aspirate of this lump. A fine needle aspirate is a way to try to exfoliate cells from the lump and look at them under the microscope to try to tell what this lump is. Even if it is a benign lump, she may need to have it removed if she continues to lick it. She also may need topical treatment or potentially antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories if the lump is infected or causing her pain. I often recommend taking lumps off of legs sooner, as they are easier and generally less expensive to remove and close the skin when they are small. Large lumps on limbs can be quite difficult to remove, as there isn't much additional skin in this area to close over the wound.