Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Goat with chronic skin pustules and hair loss treated with ivermectin
By Pappalardo, Ersilia et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2002·Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pemphigus foliaceus in a goat.
- Species:
- goat
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old female goat was brought in for chronic skin problems, including hair loss, pustules, and crusts on her head, neck, and back that had been ongoing for three months. The vet found that a skin parasite was also present, which was treated successfully with ivermectin. The goat's skin condition, diagnosed as pemphigus foliaceus (an autoimmune skin disease), improved significantly with injectable dexamethasone given every two months for a year. This treatment helped clear up her dermatitis and restore her skin health.
People also search for: goat skin problems · pemphigus foliaceus treatment in goats · ivermectin for goat skin parasites
Abstract
A 7-year-old-female goat was referred with a 3-month history of chronic dermatitis, which partially responded to combined corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy. At dermatological examination diffuse alopecia, pustules and crusts were observed on the head, neck, dorsum and perianal area. Dermatophyte culture and skin scrapings were negative. Trichoscopic examination revealed a concurrent infestation with Damalinia caprae, which was successfully treated with ivermectin. Cytological examination of pus from intact pustules revealed nondegenerate neutrophils, absence of bacteria and numerous nucleated, irregularly shaped keratinocytes. Histopathological examination of lesional skin revealed intracorneal pustules containing neutrophils and acantholytic cells, and a mixed cell superficial perivascular dermatitis. Immunohistochemical stains of lesional skin showed intercellular IgG deposits in the spinous layer. Remission of the dermatitis was obtained with injectable dexamethasone-21-isonicotinate, every two months for one year. This is the first report to describe the cytological appearance of impression smears from intact pustules of pemphigus foliaceus in a goat and to document the presence of IgG deposits in lesional skin by means of immunohistochemistry.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12464066/