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Crusty Nipples!

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sophiew (EAGPR)

sophiew (EAGPR)

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Sorry for posting such an oddly titled thread, but one of my sows has got really crusty nipples - I've never seen anything like it! She had babies but that was last March, and now her and her 'baby' both have very crusty yellow nipples. They were rehomed in July and came back, they were fine then but their adopter did mention they had had sore nipples. What could be causing it? Can they get mastitis even if they're not in milk?

I'll try to get some pics but it's not pretty. Kind of yellow crusty?

Sophie
x
 
Hi Sophie
I've no advice on what could be causing this but I do know that Gorgeous Guineas do a cream for crusty nipples if this is any help xx
 
Poor girls! Sounds painful & I'm cringing at the thought of it! :{ Hope the cream works well!

Thank goodness for Gorgeous Guineas - they seem to have a cream for just about anything! -c

Michele
 
Kamilosan - think thats how it's spelt - cream for humans with sore and cracked nipples while breast feeding seems to very good for piggies with the same problem. Ive use it loads and find it works really well and quickly.

I think it's available in most supermarkets - I know Asda sell it.

Hope they soon feel better.

Teresa x
 
Thank you. Do you know what causes it? The daughter has it much worse, is it fungal?

Have brought them indoors and will house them on fleece until it's better.

Sophie
x
 
Aloe Vera ointment, not A V Gel, works well for this condition.
 
I believe this is caused by a hormonal imbalance (eg ovarian cysts). I had a piggy with it years ago, and a none too competent vet at the time (:()). She was eventually PTS with a horrendous kidney problem.

Personally I'd get it checked out with a vet.
 
It's odd because they also hump each other - which the rest of my sows don't do - and squabble a lot, so perhaps that could be down to hormonal imbalance too? Will take them on next trip to Vedra!

Sophie
x
 
It could be related, yes. The piggy I had with the problem was incredibly hormonal and dominant (the most dominant sow I've ever had).

Don't want to worry you, but I'd definitely get it checked out. :)
 
I would definitely say hormonal issues if there's crust and dominant behaviour. Also check if they've got any signs of hair thining/ loss on their sides.

This can be treated by a hysterectomy (I went down that route with Stupid Hairy Baby Trembles, and she didn't make it :( ) or homone injections (Mop seems to be getting moodier so will most likely be going down that route soon). I know many people think the cysts are generally harmless, but there is a risk to leaving them untreated long term in one for or the other in my opinion.
 
Poor you Sophie having hormonal girl piggies! :{ I'm glad I have just boars! (another good reason for having boars? At least once they have 'done their business' everything returns to normal quickly!)

 
Hormonal behaviour and crusty nipples can be signs of ovarian cysts, though the nipples to tend to swell/enlarge to a degree with the cysts. Fungal skin infections can also lead to very crusty nipples.

In either case an ointment will help with the symptom, but obviously the cause needs to be discovered for proper treatment. :)
 
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