Transcript Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin & Extremities

Unit 15: Diseases
of the Skin &
Extremities
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
Extremities
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Pink Eye
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Common in cattle & sheep
Can cause losses in weight & production once it
starts going through a herd
May cause blindness
Contagious
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Infections spread through eye secretions
flies
Recovered cases often still harbor pink eye
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Cause
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Usually bacterial in nature, but can be viral
 Also associated with IBR
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Toxin irritates and erodes covering on the eye
Occurs mainly during warm weather
Animals of all ages are susceptible
 Younger animals tend to be more prone
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Clinical Signs
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Excessive tear production, leading to pus
Swelling of the eye
Sensitivity to bright light
Small, round, white erosion begins on the cornea
 Untreated – can rupture
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Prevention
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Tough due to environmental nature of the disease
Best to help control flies & other insects
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Vaccines often not very effective
Treatment
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Antibiotic therapy either in the eye, or through IM
injection often works
 Topical treatment must be done 2-3x/d
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Depends on the level of infection in the herd
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Foot Rot
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Can affect sheep or cattle
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Though the diseases are unrelated
Can be acute or chronic
Inflammation of the tissue within & around the
foot
Can cause arthritic condition in the foot
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Cause
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Often caused by bacteria
Proper treatment of the environment and the foot
will often prevent spreading
Clinical Signs
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Lameness, swelling, odor
Inflammation on the front and rear of the foot
Moist necrosis
Can cause irreparable arthritis & tendonitis
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Prevention
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Improve pasture/lot conditions
Foot bath
Treatment
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Systemic & local antibiotic treatment are
recommended
Clean and dress
Foot baths 2x/d
 Copper sulfate & lime
 formalin
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Laminitis
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Affects cattle & horses
Swelling of the laminae, sensitivity of tissues in
the foot
Cattle
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Cause
 Usually from nutritional problems
 70% of the cases are related to feeding
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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 Other contributing factors – facilities, genetics, hygiene,
animal behavior
 Rumen acidosis thought to be the leading cause
 Laminae associated with the hoof wall & foot bones
 Pain, ulcer formation
 Confinement production has increased incidence rates
 More pressure and bruising
 Increased wear of hoof wall
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Clinical Signs
 Hesitant, limping, painful walk
 Crossing of front legs
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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 Abnormal growth pattern of the hooves
 Will develop “hardship lines” on the hoof
 Hoof claw will flatten and widen
 Sole ulcers
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Prevention
 Prevent clinical & sub clinical acidosis
 Monitor milk fat, peak milk, body condition, etc.
 Feed more, smaller meals/d
 Increase forage: concentrate ratio
 Check TM content
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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 Improve cow comfort
 Hoof trim
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Treatment
 Anti-inflammatory drugs
 Open sole ulcers & block the good claw to help w/
drainage
 Foot baths
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Horses
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Cause
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Aka founder
Engorgement of grain
Swelling in the foot
Incorrect or improper foot trimming throws of hoof
balance and can bruise the sole
 Increased pressure on one foot due to injury
 Common following colic, and other diseases
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Clinical Signs
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Appear to walk on eggshells
Difficulty finding a comfortable position to stand
Increased pulse to the foot
Hoof becomes warm to the touch
Overgrown, flattened hooves
Prevention
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Proper nutrition
Keep feed secure
Proper & regular hoof trimming
Vaccination & deworming
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Treatment
 Bucket of ice water for 10-15 min 2x/d to reduce swelling
 Stall rest w/ good bedding
 Consult the vet & the farrier
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Ringworm
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Affects cattle, horses, swine, humans
Fungal infection of the skin
Contagious
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Cause
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Direct contact with infected animals
Contaminated brushes, blankets, combs, halters,
feed bunks, stalls, etc.
Can be spread by lice
Spores somewhat resistant to destruction by
dehydration & sunlight
 Can live several years in sheds, barns, etc.
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Common in animals kept in close quarters
Most common in winter
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Clinical Signs
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Skin lesions ~3 wks after infection
Inflamed skin, w/ vesicle formation
Scally, gray colored crusting
Round patches usually ~1/2”
Generally found around eyes, ears, neck, tail
Loss of hair
Rubbing and itching
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Prevention
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No vaccine available
Sanitation & disinfection
Keep ventilated & dry
Treatment
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Clip hair from infected area
Remove scabs w/ brush & soapy water
Cover infected area w/ iodine every three days
until clear
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Abscesses
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Localized collection of pus
Can be hot or cold
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Hot – acute formation of pus & purulent exudates
Cold – chronic accumulation of pus and tissue
disintegration
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Causes
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Bacteria
 Responsible for 85% of abscesses in swine
 Variety of bacteria can cause
 Usually enter through a skin wound
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Clinical Signs
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Depend on size & location
 Range from no signs, to serious inflammation, death
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Can interfere with other bodily functions, if occur
in the wrong place
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Prevention
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Clean feed and facilities
Aseptic treatment procedures
Treat affected animals
Swine (if a recurring problem)
 Feed antibiotics in the ration
 Oral vaccination
 Injections in the neck rather than the ham
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Treatment
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Lance when they are soft in the center
May check contents with a syringe before opening
to make sure it isn’t a hematoma
 Don’t open a hematoma
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Pus should be smooth, viscous, yellow to white in
color
Lance to ensure continual drainage
Clean cavity with hydrogen peroxide
Unit 15: Diseases of the Skin &
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Use insect repellant to prevent further problems
May include antiseptic/antibiotic therapy, if needed