Epidemiological and clinicotherapeutic study of leucoderma in dairy cattle and buffaloes.

摘要

A total of 15 016 buffaloes and 13 159 dairy cattle in India were screened on the basis of history and clinical signs to study the prevalence of leucoderma and evaluate its treatment [date not given]. It was shown that the prevalence of leucoderma was 0.84 and 0.04% in buffaloes and cattle, with 95.6 and 4.33% being buffaloes and cattle, respectively. Leucoderma was more severe in female buffaloes, especially in heifers compared to dry pregnant and lactating buffaloes. In the majority of these animals, depigmentation started on the ventral parts, extending to the sides, hind limbs and dorsal body regions. A clinical response to treatment was observed within 10 days following the first s.c. injection of copper glycinate in buffaloes. 75% of buffaloes with moderate leucoderma showed a complete clinical response after 2 treatments of copper glycinate, However, 20% of recovered animals relapsed within 30-45 days after treatment stopped. Relapse ceased after a 4th injection of copper glycinate + oral administration of zinc oxide. Almost complete recovery of severely affected animals occurred within 180-210 days in copper glycinate + zinc oxide compared to 210-270 days in those treated with copper glycinate alone. In conclusion, leucoderma in buffaloes may be successfully treated by copper glycinate injection together with oral administration of zinc oxide.