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This article was published in 1948
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
Mycotic Dermatitis in Cattle in N.S.W.
L. A. W. McTIER, B.V.Sc., Inspector of Stock, Moree.
Moule and Sutherland (1947) reported the occurrence of Mycotic Dermatitis in cattle in Queensland. Albiston (1933) previously described the condition in two cases in calves in Victoria. while Edgar and Keast (1940) described natural infections in horses, and they infected cattle by inoculation. It appears, however, that natural infections in cattle in N.S.W. have not been reported.
Recently (24th March, 1948) the writer was inspecting cattle on a property between North Star and Boggabilla (Warialda P.P. District), and noticed that three cows were affected with peculiar horny, brownish scabs on the back, rump and sides. The scabs were like truncated cones, the base being larger than the top. The under surface of all scabs removed was concave. A few hairs protruded for about one quarter of an inch from the top of the scabs; the hair on the cattle being about one inch long.
Scabs were inclined to be arranged in nearly vertical rows with narrow strips of normal skin between the rows. They were rubbed off comparatively easily, leaving a small raw area underneath the centre of the scab, but blood slowly oozed through the skin over the whole of the area involved.
From the history it appeared that three or four years previously on this property a similar condition affected one cow, which became emaciated and had to be destroyed. The occurrence now reported, however, had no effect whatever on the condition of the animals involved, and in fact the owner stated that one affected bullock had recovered without treatment. The cow from which material was obtained for examination was treated with sump oil and kerosene, and it has been learned since that the condition is clearing up on that animal.
Following the submission of specimens, the Director of Veterinary Research, Glenfield, reported the presence of numerous organisms morphologically identical with Actinomyces dermatonomus (Bull) (the causal organism of mycotic dermatitis of sheep) in preparations made from the scabs.
It is apparent that Mycotic Dermatitis does occur in cattle In N.S.W., and in the writer's experience both pigmented and unpigmented skin may be involved. The thick, horny, conical scabs are characteristic of mycotic dermatitis and readily distinguished from other skin conditions.
References:
Albiston, H. E. (1933): Aust. vet. J., 9 : 107.
Edgar, G. and Keast, J. C. (1940): Aust. vet. J., 16 : 120.
Moule, G. R. and Sutherland, A. K. (1947): Aust. vet. J., 23 : 95.