Atypical dermatophilosis of sheep in Kenya
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Date
2007Author
Wabacha, J K
Mulei, Charles M
Gitonga, N P
Njenga, M J
Thaiyah, A G
Nduhiu, J
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
An outbreak of an atypical form of ovine dermatophilosis affecting the lips and muzzle with
a very high morbidity in weaners and hoggets in Kenya is reported. Clinical diagnosis of
ovine dermatophilosis was made and confirmed by direct microscopic examination as well
as isolation and identification of Dermatophilus congolensis from scab material from the
affected sheep. The morbidity rate within the flock was 31.8 % (237/745) with 98.3 %
(233/237) of the affected sheep being weaners and hoggets. Nofatalities were recorded. The
lesions, confined in the lips and the muzzle, were swelling of both the upper and lower lips,
circumscribed lumps in the skin of both the upper and lower lips, oedema of the head and
the submandibular area and scabs and crusts on the lips and muzzle. Within 1 week following
treatment with long acting oxytetracycline (20 %) at a rate of 20 mg/kg body weight,
intra-muscularly and a topical application of oxytetracycline spray, lumps regressed in size
and were covered by dark-brown scabs. Removal of the dark-brown scabs revealed erythematous
areas covered with purulent material and horny erythematous projections
(papillae) projecting from the surfaces. Within the 2nd week, the horny erythematous
projections formed greyish scabs, which later peeled off leaving alopaecic areas around the
lips. The paper highlights atypical dermatophilosis of sheep and we believe that this is the
first published report of an outbreak of ovine dermatophilosis in Kenya.
Citation
Jl S.Afr.vet.Ass. (2007) 78(3): 178–181Publisher
Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary