Clinicotherapeutic studies on mycotic dermatitis in cattle

Abstract

A study was designed in the Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to understand the occurrence and etiology of virous dermatological problems in cattle. Clinico – pathological changes and the efficacy of virus lines treatment were also investigated. The occurrence for the period from January – 1994 to December – 1998 was found to be 4.49 per cent, 38.32 per cent of the cases being mycotic dermatitis, 31.95 per cent fly bite dermatitis/ ectoparasitic dermatitis and 29.73 per cent non – specific dematatological disorders. Detailed clinical examination of cattle with mycotic dermatitis revealed scaling, pruritis, alopecia, increased skin thickness and hypopigmentation of hairs. Presence of biting flies were also recorded. Skin scrapings collected and examined under microscope revealed presence of ectothrix arrangement of fungal spores. Organisms isolated by fungal culture were Trichophyton verrucosum T. mentagrophytes, Penicillium spp. And Aspergillus spp. Neutrophilia, eosinophilia, lower copper and zinc values in blood were observed in mycotic dermatitis. In fly bite/ectoparasitic dermatitis, along with lower copper values in blood, slightly lower albumin, albumin/globulin ratio and eosinophilia were detected. In animals with non – specific dermatological problems along with eosinophilia, lower values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, copper, zinc, total protein and albumin were recorded. Histopathological studies revealed chronic dermatitis, with marked lymphocytic infiltration, epidermal hyperplasia and shedding of keratinized scales in non – specific dermatological problems. In cases of mycotic dermatitis invasion of fungi beneath stratum corneum, hair follicle and hyperkeratosis, were noticed. Complete recovery was noticed in all animals treated with Cassia alata leaves paste and Bordeaux mixture – 1 per cent in 21 days. Seven out of eight animals responded to topical application of tincture iodine and glycerine (1:1).