Camel dermatophilosis: clinical signs and treatment outcomes

Abstract

This study was conducted to study the clinical signs associated with dermatophilosis infection in 9 dromedary camels in addition to study some trials for treatment. Diagnosis of Dermatophilosis was done based on clinical appearance of the lesion on the affected animal and demonstrating the causal organism from the lesions beneath the scabs. Clinically, diseased camel showed lesions in the form of exudative dermatitis, thick greasy scabs and long hairs were collected to form paint brush in some areas. Removal of these hairs in the early stage of the disease revealed severe pain leaving bled area beneath it but later and in old lesion. All infected camels were heavily infested with ticks. Treatment of dermatophilosis using long acting oxytetracycline, 2 doses 3 days apart, in addition to oral administration of potassium iodide 10 gram daily for 10 days gave 100% cure rate, whereas camels treated with long acting oxytetracycline alone gave 66.67% cure rate. Tick control in infected animals and environment is indicated to minimise the risk of dermatophilosis. Also, vitamin A and mineral supplementation is necessary to obtain fast cure rate.