• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details
  • Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Boar Biting His Back

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HeatherT

New Born Pup
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
4
Reaction score
4
Points
40
Location
Suffolk, England
Hi all, I have a boar who is on his own although in close proximity to my three females. He has an intermittent habit of biting his back down to his bottom. He seems to chew his fur and then ends up biting himself but it is only in this area. I was wondering if this was stress related and whether he needs to be moved away from the females or needs a companion? He cannot go with another male as we have tried that but he is too dominant, putting him with one of the females has obvious ongoing issues and having just lost my job I cannot afford neutering! Any suggestions please?
 
HeatherT said:
Hi all, I have a boar who is on his own although in close proximity to my three females. He has an intermittent habit of biting his back down to his bottom. He seems to chew his fur and then ends up biting himself but it is only in this area. I was wondering if this was stress related and whether he needs to be moved away from the females or needs a companion? He cannot go with another male as we have tried that but he is too dominant, putting him with one of the females has obvious ongoing issues and having just lost my job I cannot afford neutering! Any suggestions please?
Click to expand...

Have your boar checked for mange mites? Did you see any bite wounds? How vigorous is the biting? Does it resemble a reaction to an irritation/discomfort or is it a bit more gentle?

This is the typical place for mange mites. Only after that is out of the way, should you consider other angles.

Here is more information on self-barbering: Barbering ( Eating Hair)
 
Wiebke said:
Have your boar checked for mange mites? Did you see any bite wounds? How vigorous is the biting? Does it resemble a reaction to an irritation/discomfort or is it a bit more gentle?

This is the typical place for mange mites. Only after that is out of the way, should you consider other angles.

Here is more information on self-barbering: Barbering ( Eating Hair)
Click to expand...
He has several small puncture wounds along his back but I have never actually seen him do it. How would I know if it is mange mites? I cannot see any obvious signs of irritation , no red ness or scabbing and there is no problem with the girls who are in the cage (indoor cage at the moment) below him.
 
HeatherT said:
He has several small puncture wounds along his back but I have never actually seen him do it. How would I know if it is mange mites? I cannot see any obvious signs of irritation , no red ness or scabbing and there is no problem with the girls who are in the cage (indoor cage at the moment) below him.
Click to expand...

If he has puncture wounds, he needs to be seen by a vet to find out what is going on (it can be mites or a fungal issue) and then to treat it appropriately. It is not a case of home treating on spec with low dosed cheap shop treatments that won't work in an acute case and can make things worse. As he is on his own, the puncture wounds are either self-inflicted or caused by something in the cage or - depending on where you are - there may be an insect vector. But there is definitely some irritation/pain going on.
PS: We have had cases of mites where the piggy was not seen to be scratching.

Please be aware that we cannot diagnose safely without seeing a piggy nor are we qualified vets. The internet is not a replacement for a vet visit. We can only tell you when we think it advisable to see a vet and show you possible avenues to pursue with a local vet of yours.

It would be good if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can take your location into account and tailor any advice accordingly. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.
 
Wiebke said:
If he has puncture wounds, he needs to be seen by a vet to find out what is going on (it can be mites or a fungal issue) and then to treat it appropriately. It is not a case of home treating on spec with low dosed cheap shop treatments that won't work in an acute case and can make things worse. As he is on his own, the puncture wounds are either self-inflicted or caused by something in the cage or - depending on where you are - there may be an insect vector. But there is definitely some irritation/pain going on.
PS: We have had cases of mites where the piggy was not seen to be scratching.

Please be aware that we cannot diagnose safely without seeing a piggy nor are we qualified vets. The internet is not a replacement for a vet visit. We can only tell you when we think it advisable to see a vet and show you possible avenues to pursue with a local vet of yours.

It would be good if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can take your location into account and tailor any advice accordingly. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, a vet visit is in the offing. Will also add details to my profile.
 
HeatherT said:
Thanks for the advice, a vet visit is in the offing. Will also add details to my profile.
Click to expand...

Thank you! All the best! it is always worrying when something mysterious is going on and you and your vet have to play detective. :(
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top