Oorsig/Review
Elephant skin disease
in a Bull
Dr Rick Last - BVSc; M.Med.Vet (Pathology)
Specialist Veterinary Pathologist
Image provided by Bergbos Dierekliniek
Besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti) is a common
condition of cattle in Southern Africa as well as
being reported in equids (horses, mules, donkeys,
zebra - Besnoitia bennetti) and goats. Three forms
of the disease are described namely severe, mild
and inapparent. Cervine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia
tarandi) has been described in reindeer and
caribou. The severe form of the disease is
characterized by fever, anasarca, as well as orchitis
in bulls with / without permanent infertility,
drop in milk production and mortality. This is
followed by the chronic stage which presents
with scleroderma, alopecia and hyperkeratosis
(elephant skin disease). Mortality rate is usually
low with the clinical significance being due to
infertility in bulls (orchitis) and downgrading /
condemnation of carcasses at abattoirs.
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Image provided by Bergbos Dierekliniek