18 month old miniature potbelly

Question
My girl Mary-Lou has started shaking and we don't know why.  Her appetite is great, it hasn't changed, she does however have a rash on her belly.  She isn't vomiting, and she's drinking fine.  I don't know what could be causing this.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
I am not a veterinarian and can not make a medical diagnosis over the internet. The rash and shaking may or may not be related to each other.

If the two are connected, it could signal a serious disease like erysipelas, especially if she has a fever or is acting lethargic. If there's no fever, she may be having a reaction to a poison, such as spider or ant bites. Or she may have eaten something she shouldn't, such as a cleaning product or grazed on a chemically sprayed lawn.

If the two are not related, the shaking could be from cold, or a neurological problem, or a nutritional problem such as iron deficiency. The skin problem could also be nutritionally related, due to a poor zinc-calcium ratio. It might be contact dermatitis, a reaction to something she touched or rubbed against.   

If the shaking continues, the rash gets worse, or she looses her appetite and becomes lethargic, she'll need to see a veterinarian right away. There's a list of vets that see pot-bellied pigs at www.farec.org In the meantime you can apply any soothing lotion or ointment made for people on her belly. You might want to take a photo of the rash first, if she needs to see a vet, you'll be able to show how the rash started.