Ichthyosis Fetalis in a Cross-Bred Lamb
June 2017
in “
Veterinary dermatology
”
ichthyosis fetalis hyperkeratosis alopecia ectropion eclabium epidermal thickening subcutaneous abscesses corneal scars orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis follicular keratosis atrophy of sebaceous glands severe skin thickening hair loss eyelid eversion lip eversion skin thickening skin abscesses eye scars hair follicle thickening sebaceous gland shrinkage
TLDR A cross-bred lamb with severe skin and movement issues had ichthyosis fetalis but normal vitamin A levels.
The document reports a rare case of ichthyosis fetalis (IF) in a male cross-bred lamb, a condition characterized by severe hyperkeratosis and alopecia. The lamb exhibited symptoms such as apathy, fever, ectropion, eclabium, and thickened, scaly skin with deep fissures. Over a 75-day observation period, the condition worsened, affecting the lamb's ability to breathe and move its limbs. Postmortem examination revealed severe epidermal thickening, subcutaneous abscesses, and corneal scars, while histological analysis showed orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, follicular keratosis, and atrophy of sebaceous glands. Despite these findings, the lamb's serum vitamin A levels were normal. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for veterinary practitioners to consider IF in differential diagnoses of skin disorders in sheep.
