Comparison of effectiveness of parenteral lincomycin/spectinomycin combination and dexpanthenol application in goat kids with contagious ecthyma

Abstract

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a highly contagious viral skin disease that is typically self-limited. Treatment options include topical antiseptics, such as KMNO4, local antibiotics and systemic antibiotics to prevent secondary skin infections. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the lincomycin/spectinomycin combination and dexpanthenol (Dxp) in goat kids with CE. The study was conducted at a Saanen dairy goat farm in Bursa, Turkey. The owner of the goat herd inquired at the veterinary hospital about the appearance of granulomatous lesions on the muzzles of goat kids. In this study, 24 goat kids (1-month-olds) were used. All animals were subjected to the same conditions. Blood and papule samples were taken from the animals' lips, muzzle and buccal mucosa for virological analysis. Swab samples were taken from the lesions for culture and antibiogram. The animals were divided into three groups. Lesions were clinically scored at days 1, 7 and 15 according to a modified previously used scoring system. Goat kids were equally grouped on the basis of lesions on the buccal mucosa, lips and muzzle. The animals in group A received 15 mg/kg lincomycin/spectinomycin combination (Lypectin*, Vilsan) intramuscularly for 3 consecutive days, group B received 20 mg/kg Dxp (Bepanthen* amp, Bayer, Germany) intramuscularly for 3 consecutive days, and group C received 0.9% NaCl (2 ml), the control treatment. Clinical recoveries were almost equal in all groups, but by day 14, group A showed better recovery than group B and group C. Both study groups also showed better results than the control group for all days. In conclusion, we believe that the lincomycin/spectinomycin combination or dexpanthenol can be useful in the supplementary treatment of CE in goat kids.