Unusual smelling neck fur

[Pig & Pymble]

I have noticed that my 2.5 year old boar Pymble’s hair smells strange on the back of his head and round his neck. I was thinking it might be to do with the laundry, but his brother doesn’t smell and it also doesn’t go further than his ‘collar’ area. Could this be an indicator of something more sinister? His ears don’t smell, his nose and eyes are clear, his fur looks in good condition. It smells a bit like burnt rubber/plastic, almost chemically. It’s really weird and has stuck around since yesterday! We can take him to the vets if it could be something medical but we aren’t sure the best thing to do!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

Have you carefully checked the skin underneath the smelly fur for a potentially burst small cyst or abscess? Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what is going on; the description of sensory perceptions can vary very widely and without any direct access to your piggies and their setting, any guesses of mine cannot be better than your own puzzlement.

Have you checked the cage and any other area they have been in in case there is something in there that shouldn't be; any cables he could have got at in case it is some real burnt rubber involved?

 

[Free Ranger]

That's a weird one! Have you got any children that might have been quietly playing 'dress-up' with the piggies?

 

[Swissgreys]

Eddi our very first boar often had a slightly odd smell about him.
If you check your piggy over very carefully and the skin looks ok then it might just be something special to him.
For a long time Eddi smelt slightly of cinnamon, but for a while he smelt of gym mats - not in a bad way, just strange.
My daughter was a gymnast so she thought it was lovely!