(474) This occurs in outdoor pigs that have been in contact with substances that make the skin sensitive to ultra violet radiation. These include alfalfa, clover, rape, lucerne and a fungus that grows at the base of grass in dry weather, pythomyces charterum. Certain medicines, in particular tetracyclines and sulphonamides can also have a similar affect following prolonged use. The disease is characterised by a reddening or erythema over the white areas that are exposed to sunlight. The affected surfaces are damaged and become coagulated with serum followed by secondary bacterial infection and eventually a thick crust is formed. These changes cause a considerable amount of pain and affected animals should be moved indoors and if necessary given broad spectrum long-acting antibiotic treatment by injections. Amoxycillin could be used. Animals may abort or absorb the embryos.
