Very basically skin consists of three layers. The epidermis (the top), the dermis (next layer) and the subcutaneous layer. I found a page for you to read about it if you have forgotton what you learnt in school.
When Wai came he could not wag his tail because it was encased in the brown hard sharp saddle leather that is his skin now. Somehow and at some cost – he must have rubbed his rear hard on a wall or something – he managed to release his tail so he could wag it. (now he has a hole going in below the upper layer of damaged skin, straight in under the dermis and exposing the subcutaneous tissue). 
And even though the poor fellow is all nerve endings and pulling and rubbing from hard outer skin curling like hangnails into his skin, and exposed insides, he still wags his tail when he sees his pumpkin. I don’t know how he is carrying on, unbelievable really. Hats off to this fellow.
This hole is why I cover him with a sheet when he lies down. It is deep and also goes right up under that layer of armor. There are other areas where the sharp edges of the armor have worn through into the fat layers but this is by far the worst. I cannot cut this away yet as it is still attached to the dermis. Very attached. It will be a while. 
My tree hospital. On the far left is the damaged walnut bolted together and tied with ties and on the right the new oak, planted and soaked and being held up using T posts and an old hose.
Lots of water and tree talk. 
Poppy is a nice pig when she is not in heat.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
I don’t know what the weather is for tomorrow. But today was sunny and still. Lovely.
The Kitchen's Garden 
41 responses to “Wag the Tail”
I agree with all of the sentiments above. The whole story is so miraculous. Now that wai is safe, do you know if the person who did this to him is in jail or at least did some time for this?
I know nothing else. The vet who sent him to the rescue people is unable to tell me anything because I am not on their list as the owner, there is a confidentiality thing, so I will probably never know anything. I think it was neglect rather than outright cruelty and this terrible skin problem he is wearing might well be from the meds they had him on to treat whatever the incident was .. an allergic reaction that literally burnt his skin? I don’t know. We will never know. c
Can’t you have him forward the records to your vet? Then you become the owner and privy to your pig’s records! 🙂 Just like they do in the people world.
If this was indeed a reaction to “medical intervention”, there will never be any mention for fear of legal repercussions/ liability.
Some antibiotics make the skin hypersensitive to the sun. Keeping the fellowship realistic about his progress is a good thing, I guess. Two steps forward, one step back. I will keep good thoughts for Wai and his wagging tail, wounds and all.
Good point about the photosensitivity!
The will to survive is incredible, whether you’re a human or an animal. Especially if you have something to live for. And he does, he’s got you. And so do your trees. It’s like a wonderful care home at the Farmy full of love.
Seeing the suffering that poor pig endured/s truly hurts the heart. I tried to find a link to an article I read but it’s apparently not on line. It was about a woman raising mangalitsa hogs. They are said to have wonderfully flavored meat and they are also used to clear invasive plants! They’re interesting looking too, maybe you need one!
Heart-wrenching and heart-warming all in one confusing emotion. Your small in the big scheme of the things but significant gestures, rescuing pigs, saving trees makes my world a better place ♡
what happens when she is in heat?
It seems like an environmental chemical burn, in my humble opinion. Ironically, human burn victims are often treated with pig skin. Don’t see how the subcutaneous layer will ever regenerate skin, unless grafts are done. Poor Wai.
Glad to see he looks forward to his pumpkin. That is too sweet. But seeing that hard armor of skin is really shocking, and to look at and try to comprehend what that poor pig has went through, well…..my heart still hurts for him. I do appreciate the updates…I wait eagerly for them, waiting to see any improvement. I hope to one day see those eyes and all that hard skin gone with only supple, clear skin all over.
Yes, hats off to Wai, but also to you, Celi. I’ve learned enough about your inner strength not to be worried, but still. What you see everyday must be very draining. I trust you are adjusting to the role of carer, which means developing your own armor, or at least a willingness to keep emotions at bay and see nature as a partner and not an adversary.