Pig sunburn and benedryl

Question
QUESTION: Help.  We have a 4.5 month old minipig that we rescued.  He's white and my husband spent much of the day outside in the sun with him.  The pig is clearly pretty uncomfortable now.  He keeps doing these quick shiver like shakes and rubbing up against things.  Its as if his skin is bothering him.  He occasionally rubs his belly on the ground and drags his feet.  I read something about dippity pig?  Can I give him benedryl - will this help?  If nothing else, I'm hoping it will help him sleep. Its Friday evening and we don't know of any emergency vet around so I'm hoping you will see this soon and be able to help?  (he weighs about 20 lbs so if I can give him benedryl, how much and how often.  THANK YOU in advance!

ANSWER: Springtime is the season for Dippity Pig. Dippity is a painful skin condition. The name comes from the way pigs literally "dip" their back or rear to try to get away from the painful welts. These welts can stretch across the back or down the side, and may ooze or even bleed.

Dippity strikes quickly, fortunately, it never lasts longer than 72 hours. Benedryl and baby aspirin don't seem to have an effect. The best thing to do is let piggy rest in a dark, quiet place.

Pigs, black and white, can get sunburn. The bright red burn is fairly easy to see on white pigs, but not always noticeable on dark pigs. Pigs rarely burn badly enough to develop blisters.

Treat sunburn with any soothing ointment made for human sunburn. But, don't try to apply it at room temperature. Put the container in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes first, so the lotion or spray is warm. Pigs just don't like having cold liquids or lotions applied, even when it's soothing a burn.

If your pig is prone to sunburn, you can apply any sunscreen made for people. Warm it in hot water before applying it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so sorry to continue to harass you: thank you so much for your useful and quick response. I have one follow up question though, he doesn't dip nearly as much as he shakes/shivers.  Is this shake/shiver thing also an indication that he's probably just a little burned or might it be something dofferent or worse?
Thanks again!

Answer
Sunburn usually doesn't make piggies shake or shiver. A pig in pain will shiver and Dippity is painful, so my guess is the two are connected. But I am not a veterinarian and can not make a medical diagnosis over the internet.

If the problem is Dippity, it will go away very quickly, usually within 24 - 48 hours. If the shivering continues longer, then it's due to something different. The big danger sign is lack of appetite, when a pig stops eating the problem is serious.