Zinc deficiency in a Indian zebu cattle – A Case Report
1.Dr. Vishnu meena (MVSc Scholar) 2. Dr. Vikram jat (MVScScholar)3.Shivam mathur(MVScScholar )4.Dr.Eyati (MVScScholar)5.Dr.Priyanka Meena (MVScScholar) Department of veterinary medicine.
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex , Post graduate institute of veterinary education and research (PGIVER) jaipur.
Introduction:-
Zinc is an essential micronutrient and deficiency of zinc in cattle leads to parakeratosis, alopecia, reduced growth rate, poor hair coat and bilateral
skin lesions (Radostits et al.,2007). The present paper reports a clinical case of zinc deficiency in Indian zebu cattle from bassi , jaipur, Rajasthan.
History and Clinical Observations :-
A five years old indian zebu cattle was referred to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex(TVCC) of Post graduate institute of veterinary education and research PGIVER Jaipur with clinical manifestations of alopecia , bilateral wrinkling and crust formation on the skin of ear, neck, hump region and muzzle . based on owner history we revealed that the alopecia and rough skin since 2 months and has not responded to conventional topical therapy. The cattle was mainly fed on dry fodder.
Clinical examination revealed characteristic symmetrical bilateral alopecia and parakeratosis to be prominent on the dorsum of ear pinna (fig.1) followed by neck and hump region.
Fig.1 Alopecia and parakeratosis on mouth,neck and ears.
muzzle, mouth ,neck and nose were also involved in excessive keratin formation, alopecia and dry scales. The skin lesions were non-inflammatory and non-painful. along with mild itching problem is there.Appetite was slightly reduced.
The laboratory examination of skin scraping revealed negative results for parasitic infestation.The case was clinically diagnosed as a zinc deficiency and was subjected to zinc sulphate therapy for treatment.
Therapeutic management :- The indian zebu cattle was administered chelated Agrimine forte (multivitamin and minerals)@ 100 gm BID orally daily for 21days.along with Inj. Stimvet ( trace mineral Zn + Se+Mn+Cu) 5ml subcutaneosly once , inj. Chlorpheniramine melate @0.5mg/kgbwt im × 3 days, inj.Vetade 10ml once repeat after 7 days and topical application of zinc oxide + glycerine ointment twice daily was continued for 21 days.
The cattle showed favorable response to zinc therapy after one week and skin lesions almost regressed by 30th day of therapy.
fig.2 response to zinc therapy after one week.
Result and discussion :-
The pathognomonic bilateral symmetrical parakeratosis of skin, keratinization of epidermis, alopecia (Radostits et al.,2007) and failure of antiparasitic, antibacterial and antifungal topical therapy indicated skin lesions to be due to
deficiency of zinc in the cattle.The positive response to zinc therapy also confirmed cause as zinc deficiency.
The Indian zebu cattle , was maintained mainly on dry fodder . Zinc has critical role in protein metabolism and its deficiency causes failure of keratinization leading to parakeratosis and alopecia (Radostits et al., 2007). The present clinical case of zinc deficiency in Indian zebu cattle was successfully treated with oral mineral mixer therapy.along with injectable trace mineral and topically zinc therapy.
