Dermatopathy in Juvenile Angus Cattle Due to Vitamin A Deficiency
May 2012
in “
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation
”
TLDR Some young Angus cattle had skin problems due to not enough vitamin A, which got better after they were given more vitamin A.
The study reported dermatologic manifestations of vitamin A deficiency in 2 of 32 juvenile Angus calves, with a third suspected case. Affected calves exhibited alopecia, severe orthokeratosis, and acanthosis, which improved with vitamin A supplementation. The deficiency was linked to inadequate dietary intake due to drought conditions and lack of vitamin A in supplements. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis, and subsequent vitamin A treatment resolved the dermatopathy, with no further cases observed. This case highlighted the importance of considering vitamin A deficiency in cattle with orthokeratotic dermatopathy.