A CASE REPORT ON DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN SHEEP

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is one of the significant concerns in sheep, impacting animal health, farm productivity, and the economy. As a zoonotic disease, it also poses health risks to humans, making effective management essential both for livestock and human health. Common clinical signs are typically well-demarcated and exhibit a scaly, crusted surface as well as alopecia. Affected skin often becomes thickened and roughened with pronounced scaly and crusty texture while pruritus is not prominent. A one-and-a-half-year-old, local non-descriptive pregnant (2.2 months) sheep was presented to Shahedul Alam Quadery Teaching Veterinary Hospital (SAQTVH), CVASU with complaint of continuous mild to severe alopecia. After careful examination with Wood's lamp and direct visual inspection, lesions were primarily suspected as dermatophytosis. For supporting the initial diagnosis, blood samples were collected and parameters like Hemoglobin, PCV, TEC, TLC, DLC of affected sheep were investigated. For further confirmation, skin scrapings were collected to perform tests like direct microscopic examination using 10% KOH, Gram Staining and fungal culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Presence of hyphae and growth of fungi confirmed that, the sheep was affected with dermatophytes Trichophyton sp. As the sheep was pregnant, pregnancy safe antifungals were given orally as main drug. For supportive care the zinc supplements as well as vitamin AD3 were included. After a regular monitoring and follow-up for about one month, the sheep had an excellent recovery without any complications.