Dermatitis in a dairy herd caused by Pelodera strongyloides (Nematoda: Rhabditidae).
A high rate (25%) of infestation of heifers in a dairy cattle herd caused by the saprophytic nematode Pelodera strongyloides is described. Management (crowded) and environmental conditions (moist and filthy) as well as the climate (temperature) apparently favoured the existence and continuation of the nematodes. These infested a large number of heifers by causing dermatitis in skin areas, which were in contact with the contaminated environment. The dermatitis is characterized by a marked thickening of the skin, which became wrinkled and scurfy with alopecia. Pruritus was not observed.
Hachaklait, Gedera and the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animals, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Yeruham
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D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003612:Dairying; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D009348:Nematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000662:veterinary*