Clinical and Microbiological Observations on Caprine and Ovine Dermatophilosis

The present investigation records clinical and microbiological observations in 16 small ruminants which comprised of 9 goats and 7 sheep affected with Dermatophilosis. The animals had typical scabby or crusted skin lesions. The clinical diagnosis was supported by laboratory findings using standard microbiological techniques. The cytological examination of fresh crusts/scabs by Giemsa staining technique under oil immersion revealed thin branched filaments and coccoid zoospores morphologically resembling to Dermatophilus congolensis. The organism was isolated from skin lesions on blood agar and colonies grew as yellowish, dry, rough and convex giving toothed shaped appearance. There was no growth on Sabouraud medium. The history of mechanical trauma to skin was available in 11 animals (7 goats and 4 sheep). There was no evidence of ticks or other ectoparasites. All sick animals showed good response when treated with oxytetracycline.