15 Major Skin Diseases Found in Animals

List of fifteen major skin diseases found in animals:- 1. Urticaria 2. Eczema 3. Pityriasis 4. Psoriasis 5. Acariasis or Scabies 6. mange 7. Erythema 8. Pruritis 9. Mud fever 10. Cracked Heels 11. Mane and Tail Eczema 12. Dermatitis 13. Mallenders and Sallenders 14. Grease or Greasy Heels 15. Alopecia or Baldness.

Skin Disease # 1. Urticaria:

Synonym:

Nettle rash

This is a condition in which round elevations or swellings suddenly appear on skin at various parts of the body and disappear in a very short time. It results from sudden exudation into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is common in horses, cattle and pigs and is rare in dogs.

Etiology:

It is of the nature of anaphylactic reaction. It may be associated with change in food, such as green grass, green barley etc. In the horse, it is due to highly nitrogenous diet. In cattle, it is most commonly caused by rupture of warble flies.

In the dog, it is occasionally seen for eating chocolate or kitchen waste, only occasion­ally does it develop from contact with acrid sub­stances, such as stinging nettles, ants or biting insects. In the horse, swellings of similar nature are noted in dourine and in the pigs, in mild form of swine erysipelas.

Symptoms:

Represented by lesions. These develop in a few minutes or hours, they have the form of circumscribed, flat, round swellings which are fairly tense and painless and vary from 25 paise bit to soup plate size. They sometimes fuse. Non-pigmented skin is reddened over the swell­ings.

There is, as a rule, no itching unless in rare occasions due to acrid substances. Temperature and appetite are rarely affected. In the horse and pig, the swellings are irregularly distributed over body and head. When affecting the nostrils, they may interfere with the respiration. These symp­toms tend to disappear in some hours. In cattle, the swellings appear on head and neck chiefly, sometimes around the perineum or where a warble has been ruptured.

The swellings on the head is very diffuse and the first thing usually noted is that the head is greatly swollen. These swellings are associated with dyspnea, which may be due to swellings of mucous membranes of tongue and the respiratory tract. There may be a tendency to tympany.

The animal is restless and the symptoms appear alarming. Death may occa­sionally arise from asphyxia. In the dog, the swell­ings also affect, chiefly, the head. In the pig, urticaria proper is distinguished from the mild form of swine erysipelas by the absence of a rise of temperature.

Treatment:

Give a laxative or diffusible stimulant or both. In horse, change the food. Locally no treatment is required. Antihistamines provide the best and rational treatment. Parenteral injection of adrenaline may be given. Parenteral injection of calcium salts gives good results.

Skin Disease # 2. Eczema:

It is a localised inflammation of the superfi­cial layers of skin with exudation. Papules or vesicles may be formed but vesicles are small and usually discrete. On healing, no mark is left.

Etiology:

This disease has been attributed to a great variety of factors but only occasionally is the cause apparent.

These factors include:

1. Microrganisms:

It may be set up by dirt. The dampness of the skin favours soiling of the parts, causes softening of horny layer of epider­mis and permits entry of irritating agents. Sweat­ing in horse may cause it.

2. Solar eczema is observed in unpigmented skin which is exposed for a time to the action of the hot sun rays.

3. It has been attributed to animal parasites of the digestive tract such as ascarides or tape worms.

4. It may be due to intestinal troubles or to diet alone, such as potato rash.

5. Chronic nephritis may set up urinous eczema.

6. A nervous form of eczema as noted which may follow the course of the nerves, such as herpes zoster or shingles. The vessels of the skin and papillae first become congested and unpigmented skin seems to be reddened. A se­rous exudate passes into chorium and overlying Retemalpigian.

The papillae become swollen and form little nodules or papules on which small vesicles may be developed which are well de­fined and firm and their bases are painless. The contents of the vesicles saturate the overlying epithelium. This soon becomes dried up and forms a crust which with the hair is soon raised up and cast off. The surface of the skin becomes smooth and repair rapidly takes place.

The hair, pigment and appendages of the skin soon reforms but no mark is left. A typical form of eczema of this sort is seen in eczema of scrotum and inter digital eczema of dogs. In some cases, so called dry eczema, no vesicles or exudation can be seen. A patch of skin is dried, rough, scaly and denuded of hair.

There is no great tendency to vesicle formation. Moist eczema develops very rapidly, a moist patch on the skin appears up to the size of the palm of one’s hand. The patch is not only moist but red and raw and the hair is partly removed from it. Recovery takes place in about 3 weeks.

Impetigenous Eczema:

This is really a com­plication of eczema in which the structures under the crust of the skin become invaded with pus as a result of inoculation with pyogenic organisms.

Seborrhoeic Eczema:

Thick crusts form on the skin, the crust being difficult to detach. The course of eczema varies a good deal—3 to 6 weeks. Ultraviolet rays are very beneficial. It, however, often recurs. Some cases become chronic. Skin becomes thickened and rough, itching is not, as a rule, a feature of the condition.

Symptoms:

The dog is most susceptible to eczema. Various forms are seen in the dog. Acute, moist eczema is most common in thin skinned long haired dogs such as Yorkshire terriers, Re­trievers and collies. It appears on neck, back sides and thighs. After the acute stage, a yellow smooth scab forms over the area and in course of about 3 weeks, it is cast off and the hairs will be seen developing underneath it.

Dry eczema is very common affecting various parts of the body and usually localised, such as tail, loins, head, bridge of nose where skull joins the muzzle, eyes and eyelids. The skin of scrotum and prepuce is fre­quently affected with typical eczema accompa­nied by considerable itching and with thickening and ulceration of skin.

Interdigital eczema occurs chiefly in sporting dogs and may result from irritation with sand and dirt between the toes. The skin there becomes red. Small vesicles form and rupture and the animal becomes lame. It is very difficult to cure and may be recurrent. Can­cer of external ear is often regarded as a form of eczema.

In Horses:

Eczema as such is not common but it may appear in thin skinned horses from insufficient nourishment and bad hygiene affect­ing skin of eyelids and shoulders. Their crusts form and fall off with matted hairs and hairless rough patches are left.

Skin diseases in the horses which have been classified as eczema include— Mud fever, grease, eczematous cracked heels, mane and tail eczema. Seborrhoeic eczema is of­ten noted in horses in which bran – like skins, gray in colour, form in round patches on the skin. They may develop on neck and head at first but extend over the body.

In Cattle:

The disease may be due to dirt and neglect seen along the back of the neck, at root of tail or end of tail. The skin becomes roughened. Interdigital eczema is noted in the similar way to that of dog. Seborrhoeic eczema is rare in which the grey casts which forms on the skin exfoliate rapidly and leave hairless patches on the body until the whole coat is removed.

In Sheep:

Solar eczema is seen. Sometimes dry eczema or loins scab is noted over back dur­ing wet weather. Recovery takes place when dry weather sets in. Interdigital eczema is seen as in cattle. In pigs, eczema is not common. Sometimes, in suckling pigs, little brown crusts or scab forms over the body and head following upon vesicle formation. Possibly, this may be dietetic in origin. In cats, dry eczema is noted on back, croup and root of tail.

Diagnosis:

Not always easy, is often made by method of exclusion. It is distinguished from mange and ring worm by the position and char­acter of the lesions and the absence of mange parasites in the skin scrapings.

Treatment:

Eczema responds promptly to treatment. Change diet and give purgative in vermifuge. It is necessary to remove dust and dirt with scab. The removal of hair is essential when it is long. An excellent remedy is Sulphur iodide in olive oil. Zinc oxide with sulphur is useful in scratches. Strict hygienic condition must be main­tained. Changes of bedding and in the surround­ings, removal of internal and external parasites, the avoidance of wetting and unnecessary irrita­tion and the protection of skin is needed.

In acute stages, sedation is recommended to avoid scratch­ing. Antihistamine preparations should be given in acute stages and it gives good results. Corti­sone preparations are also used to stimulate heal­ing. In interdigital eczema in dogs, put the foot for a time in a bath of astringent lotion (2% alum). After drying, apply Zinc oxide or Zinc ointment.

Skin Disease # 3. Pityriasis:

This is a superficial inflammation of the skin in which there is abnormal production of epithe­lium which is thrown off in the form of small scales.

Etiology:

They are variable. In most cases, dandruff is symptomatic and in Veterinary pa­tient, is most frequently due to skin parasites such as lice and mange mites. It is often found in fungal infections of the skin in early stages of ring worm. It may occur in course of digestive dis­eases while in large number of cases no appre­ciable cause can be discovered.

Occasionally, pity­riasis is congenital and is met with in newly born puppies, calves and foals. In deficiency of Vita­min A and Vitamin B complex, particularly nico­tinic acid and riboflavine and there is a deficiency of essential fatty acids, such as linolinic acid.

Symptoms:

The condition may be met with in any part of the body or it may extend over the entire body. The coat is usually dry and dull and contains a considerable quantity of small scales almost like dust, greyish white in colour. There may or may not be any irritation of the skin. There are occasionally bald spots which may slowly extend.

Treatment:

Internally, keep the bowels in relaxed condition. For herbivora, boiled linseed oil is very useful and a little cod liver oil may be given to carnivora to compensate Vitamin A defi­ciency. Locally, the skin may be soaked with weak solution of Sodi bicarb to which a little Kaolin may be added. If there is irritation, Sali­cylic acid in lanolin base may be applied. Fre­quent grooming and well regulated exercise is useful.

Skin Disease # 4. Psoriasis:

This is a condition of the skin in which con­siderable patches become inflamed and on the surface of such patches, there is heaping of epi­thelium which tends to accumulate while it is formed. The lesions form patches of varying size and the surface is dry and dark grey in colour. It may be met with in all species but is most com­mon in “horses and cattle. The term psoriasis is also frequently applied in Veterinary practice to the scaliform eczema, in which the crusts remain adherent.

Etiology:

Obscure. Heredity may play more or less important part. In some instances, it is probably parasitic in origin while at other times, it may be due to some microorganisms. It may also be brought about by friction by such things as harness in horses and in working cattle.

Symptoms:

In psoriasis, the superficial lay­ers of the skin becomes inflamed and an accumu­lation of greyish epithelium occurs. It often com­mences as an erythema but it is seldom serious in effect unless implicating some parts in which considerable movement takes place and particu­larly so in the bends of joints. When it affects the bends of joints, the horny skin cracks and ulcer­ation is set up with considerable pain causing severe lameness.

Treatment:

Often difficult to get good re­sults. External remedies frequently suffice but internal treatment may expedite recovery. A laxa­tive should be given followed by a course of alternatives, such as arsenic, antimony and sul­phur.

Locally, the epithelium should first be soft­ened with a hot solution of carbonate of soda. This should be followed with an ointment con­taining some antiseptics. Salicylic acid ointment (1 in 16 or 20), Zinc ointment (1 in 10), Chrysarotin ointment 2% in mild cases, 8 to 10% in obstinate cases. Whatever ointment is used, it must be very thoroughly rubbed in.

Skin Disease # 5. Acariasis or Scabies:

It is caused by two families of parasites – the Sarcoptidae and the Demodicidae. The sarcoptidae are subdivided in several genera – the principal being – Sarcoptic, Psoroptes, Symbitoes and Otodectes. The demodicidae are very distinct from Sarcoptidae in appearance being more worm like in shape but the life history is same. Sarcoptes or burrowing mites which burrow under the epider­mis, feed and propagate in the lower layers of the skin.

Psoroptes or sucking mites which live on the outer surface of the skin, prick it and suck up serum and lymph. Symbiotes or Chorioptes or scale eating mites which live on the surface of the extremities and feed on epidermis. The different species attack, different parts of the body.

Thus the Sarcoptes attack the head and parts least covered by hair. The Psoroptes inhabit protected regions on the inside of the thigh, root of the mane and tail, sheath and under the jaw. The Symbiotic mange is limited to the extremities of the body as the feet (horses and sheep), the root of the tail (cattle), external auditory canal (dog).

Demodectic mange which invade the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, inflammatory reactions result, followed by a stage of Suppuration and pustule eruptions. Sarcoptic mange is transmis­sible to man from animals and from one species of animal to another, and also from man to ani­mals.

Symptoms:

Intense itching with rubbing, biting, scratching, stamping specially at night and after overheating of the body with the appearance on the skin—redness, papules, vesicles, pustules, bloody or suppurating surface—thickening of the integument, roughened, matted and falling hair.

The disease may stimulate eczema or other skin lesions but the intense itching, the tendency for the disease to attack other animals, the locality affected characteristic of the variety of mange and finally the positive discovery of organisms by microscopic examination are diagnostic evidences.

Detection of the parasites from the skin scrapings:

To detect the parasites, scrap the skin at the margin of the affected part. Place the scrapings in a test tube with 10% NaOH or KOH and boil for five minutes. The mixture is then centrifuged for a few minutes to throw down all solid particles. The supernatant fluid is then poured off and the residue after mixing with a little glycerin is smeared on slide for examination.

Skin Disease # 6. Mange:

In the horse:

This is comparatively rare. Sarcoptes Scabiei affecting the neck, head, shoulders and spreading to rest of body Psoroptes infesting inside of thighs, root of mane, tail, sheath etc. Sarcoptic variety is most common.

Treatment:

Clip the hair, soften scabs by the application of oil and glycerin containing 5% of Kaolin or Lysol. Apply a thick layer of green soap and leave it overnight. When this is washed off, the special mange cure may be used.

The stan­dard treatment is malathion spray (0.5%), Asuntol 0.1% is recommended. Treatment should prefer­ably be repeated in 5 days. Treatment must be continued until the hair begins to grow and the skin appears normal. During treatment, feed the animal well, internal tonics are useful. Lime Sul­phur dip is also good.

In Cattle:

Symptoms — Similar to those in horse. Sarcoptes scabiei attacking the neck, shoulder sides and thighs, later may spread to head, even on the udder and other parts of the body. Psorptes infesting root of the tails but commonly over the neck or withers and gradually extends over the side of the body and the head. The Symbiotes affecting the base of the tail but may extend up to upper portion of the tail and the whole body.

Treatment:

It is on the same time as in the horse. Lime-sulphur dip is also recommended.

In Dogs:

This is one of the com­monest skin diseases. It is of two types—Sarcoptic and Follicular.

The Sarcoptic which responds much more rapidly to treatment unless the disease is wide­spread. It is apt to begin on the head but also attacks the chest, belly, elbows, root of tail and paws and may spread over the whole body. It is characterised by the appearances of red spots on the skin followed by papules, vesicles or pustules and either presents a weeping or dry scaly sur­face or crusts.

This itching is intense. The dog frequently scratches, rubs and bites and when the affected area is rubbed, the dog makes vigorous scratching movements with its hind legs. The skin becomes thickened and wrinkled. It must be dis­tinguished from follicular mange and eczema. Eczema differs from mange in being more easily cured and is not contagious.

Follicular mange is caused by the Demodex folliculorum variety can is which invades seba­ceous glands and hair follicles and is very diffi­cult to eradicate. It is prone to attack the head, neck and limbs and spreads over the body.

The skin becomes thickened and roughened with wart-­like nodules from which pus and sebaceous mat­ter may be squeezed or there may be infection by Staphylococci with suppurating surfaces and great swelling on the head. Itching is not so marked as in Sarcoptic mange. There is a tar like odour from the skin. When the disease is extensive, it is incurable.

Treatment:

Either form of canine mange is communicable to man and isolation of dog is essential to prevent the spread to other canines. The use of muzzle and chipping of the hair over the affected areas are necessary. Sarcoptic mange is amenable to treatment. The use of Tetmosol soap and Tetmosol liquid will yield good result, 1 in 10 may be rubbed into the skin twice weekly.

Three applications suffice. During treatment, feed the animal well. Malathion 0.5% spray or Asuntol are also very effective. A course of Acetyl- arson injections at an interval of 4 days along with Tetmosol dressings (6 injections are sufficient). Rotenone 5 gms., Acetone—125 ml, olive oil or alcohol—375 ml. Treat half the body at a time, repeat every 4 to 5 days.

Skin Disease # 7. Erythema:

Also called dermatitis erythematosa. It is a superficial hyperaemia of the skin, skin becomes red and hot but there is no marked structural change. It may be due to a variety of causes including friction, pressure, bruising, excessive heat, scalding or heat of sun, excessive cold or superficial irritants. The friction may be caused between two parts of the body such as Erythema intertrigo or in cows between udder and thighs— such as Erythema mammillarum and from har­ness—Erythema paratrima. Cracked heels or mud fever may commence as an Erythema. Sometimes, the condition may result from dietetic errors.

Symptoms:

The part of the skin affected is reddened and is removed temporarily by pres­sure. Sometimes, there is little heat or irritation only, occasionally slight swelling but there is never any other marked change in the skin. In dogs, it is quite painless. There is often a ten­dency to constipation.

Treatment:

Relieve pressure or friction. Give laxative to dog and change the diet. Locally, seda­tive astringent lotions, such as white lotion, lead lotion, Zinc ointment or oil and lime water, Tan­nic acid 1 in 40.

Skin Disease # 8. Pruritis:

It means itchiness of the skin and it is shown by rubbing and scratching. It may occur without skin lesions or skin parasites. This may be due to nephritis, internal parasites, chronic indigestion or the dirty condition of the skin when the latter is very irritable. In dog, it is often seen affecting croup and loins and but of tail without any ap­parent cause.

The skin over this area becomes partly denuded of hair and sometimes becomes ulcerated or shows pustules or scabs. The skin is greatly thickened in very chronic condition. Some cases has been attributed to reflex irritation from distended or inflamed anal glands.

Treatment:

Varies—Zinc ointment contain­ing oil of tar or Liquor Picis Carbonatus. Give purgatives and antihistamines and sedatives may also be given if itching is severe.

Skin Disease # 9. Mud Fever:

Inflammation of superficial layers of skin with exudation. It is noted in horses at work on roads during wet weather. It is caused by action of mud. The condition is aggravated by washing the legs and not properly drying and is more com­mon in horses with thin skins. It is more common in certain districts. Parts of body affected are those splashed with mud.

Symptoms:

It affects the skin particularly upon inner sides of forelimbs and front of hind limbs, from fetlock upwards and may even reach stifle and abdomen. Skin becomes thickened, ten­der and rough, covered with little scabs and el­evations and hair falls off with the crust. If the scabs are removed, a red base is exposed. In severe cases, the limbs become oedematous. On the approach of dry warm weather, mud fever tends to disappear.

Treatment:

Dry legs thoroughly and then apply some astringent dressings—Zinc Sulph, Lead lotion. Zinc ointment. Give a diuretic if oedema is present.

Preventive measures include:

1. Dry limbs after washing and

2. Allow legs to dry and then brush off the dried mud.

Skin Disease # 10. Cracked Heels:

It is the result of dermatitis of skin in the hollow of pastern in horses. It is observed par­ticularly in wet cold weather and may be due to the action of dirt. Itchiness of skin will predis­pose. Animals with white legs are more subject to the trouble.

Symptoms:

Skin in hollow of pastern in one or both legs becomes reddened, tender and scaly. Later, small vesicles form which rupture and a crack forms over the point at which ruptured vesicles develop. These cracks or ulcers—if not attended—deepens and its edges become thick­ened and callus. The animal becomes very lame, walks on his toes. Movement retards healing.

Treatment:

Wash and dry skin. Clip off the hairs of hollow of pastern. In light cases, all that may be necessary is the application of Zinc or Boric ointment or white lotion. In more advanced cases, apply pad and bandage to restrict move­ment and such agents as previously mentioned. In old standing cases, use a paste of Zinc sulph and lead acetate or stimulate the edges by caustic or a hot iron.

Skin Disease # 11. Mane and Tail Eczema:

It is a dermatitis of skin affecting particularly the mane and tail and may extend along the back. It is attributed to dirt and neglect. Wet weather may cause maceration of the epidermis, entrance of infection being facilitated.

Symptoms:

They are only noted when the disease has become somewhat advanced. Skin over the parts mentioned become somewhat thick­ened and scaly and it may show little vesicles, pastules or ulcers. The hair sticks together with grease or sweat and form tufts. As a rule, atten­tion to the case is attracted because of the itching. The skin becomes thickened, hard, wrinkled and scaly. It tends to become chronic as is very te­dious to cure. Oxyuris infestation and Psoroptic mange must be distinguished .

Treatment:

Wash with soap and water and dry. If necessary, clip off hair and apply some astringent ointment or liniment such as Zinc or Sulphur ointment including some oil of tar or Salicylic acid ointment or Resorcin ointment.

Skin Disease # 12. Dermatitis:

The term dermatitis is applied to inflamma­tion of the skin or any part of it. It is, however, frequently restricted clinically to those conditions in which all the layers of skin are involved.

Etiology:

It may be caused due to following reasons:

1. Bacterial infection

2. Viral infection

3. Fungal infection

4. Physical and chemical agents

5. Allergy and

6. Nutritional deficiency.

Dermatitis frequently develops on the limbs of horses and cattle that habitually wade through filthy mud or manure. Skin eruptions occurring without recognisable cause tend to clear up in a week or 10 days while inflammation caused by infection or chemicals varies widely in course according to degree of injury.

Treatment:

In most cases, the treatment is the same, as, for eczema, cleanse and dry the affected parts and apply antiseptic protectives. If the identification of accurate etiological agent is possible, then treatment will be aimed to remove the noxious stimulus.

Skin Disease # 13. Mallenders and Sallenders:

Mallenders also called psoriasis carpi. Sallenders also called psoriasis tarsi. This is noted in heavy cart horses. Mallenders at the back of carpus and sallenders in front of the hock. Latter is more common, one or more limbs are involved. The skin in front of the hock and back of carpus is thickened and hard, covered with dry scabs and denuded of hair. Sometimes, cracks and fis­sures are seen and there is lameness.

Treatment:

Wash and dry affected parts and apply some astringent ointment. (Red oxide of mercury—1 part and yellow paraffin—9 parts). Give laxative and followed with tonics.

Skin Disease # 14. Grease or Greasy Heels:

Also called seborrhoea, is an inflammation of skin noted in horses affecting the limbs. There is an increased secretion or exudation in affected limbs. The horses most commonly affected are cart horses with plenty of hair. Any or all the limbs may be involved, most commonly hind limbs, thence it may reach the upper portion of metacarpus or metatarsus.

The first change no­ticed is the increased production of sebum, when skin becomes red, moist and hot and covered with a greyish greasy layer. The hair becomes soiled with offensive – smelling fluid coming from the skin. Odour is sour and the fluid may dribble from the hair which may stand out. Later, the skin becomes swollen, thickened and wrinkled.

In old standing cases, the skin of the limbs in partly denuded of hair and greatly swol­len. In some cases, grape – like projections and sometimes masses form on the skin around pas­tern and fellock. By rubbing against one another, these grapes may cause lameness. This disease frequently becomes chronic.

Treatment:

Keep stall clean and dry. Wash the affected leg with soap and water. Dry thor­oughly, then apply some astringent lotion such as Copper sulph, white lotion, Formalin, Sulphate of Iron, Zinc and Copper and apply once daily. In chronic cases with grapes, a paste made up of Lead acetate and Zinc sulph is applied.

Prevention:

Oil heels in wet weather and apply warm stable bandage at night.

Skin Disease # 15. Alopecia or Baldness:

It is a condition in which there is a falling out of hair, wool or feather unaccompanied by any organic or parasitic disease of skin. In some cases, it has been congenital, such as, in puppies, foals, calves and in those cases development of horn is faulty and the animal rarely lives.

Two forms of alopecia are distinguished:

1. Alopecia circumcinta

2. Alopecia symptomatica

In alopecia circumcinta, the hair is removed in considerable patches while the skin is appar­ently normal. This may be due to some nervous trouble.

In alopecia symptomatica, the hair is detached fairly freely over the body. It may occur from derangement of nutrition, digestive trouble, wast­ing diseases, defective diet or certain infectious diseases like purpura, strangles or influenza.

Treatment:

It will be only effective if the roots are not destroyed. In the symptomatic form, attention must be paid to better nourishment and internal tonics given. Apply—a mixture of Sali­cylic acid, Tin. canthradis, Rectified Spirit and oil Ricini—it should be massaged daily.