A Case of Parakeratotic Hyperkeratosis in a Swiss Brown Calf Caused by Zinc Deficiency

Parakeratosis is a nutritional disease characterised by keratinisation deficiency of the stratum corneum of skin. The case report presented here reflects the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of a calf with zinc deficiency. This report also points out the evaluation of calves with smilar dermatologic problems in differantial diagnosis. 20 day old Brown Swiss calf referred to animal hospital with the history of crusting and thicking of the skin. Physical examination revelaed keratinisation and hair loss on lesions. Skin scraping, bacteriologic and fungal culture, blood smears and fecal examination revealed no abnormalities. Serum zinc levels were 40 μg/dl (6.12 μmol/L). Histopathologic examinations confirmed the diagnosis of parakeratosis of the skin. Recovery of skin lesions with the therapy of oral zinc sulfate (100 mg/day in 1st week; 40 mg/day in following week and 40 mg/week between 3-7 week) was observed according to informations provided by the owner. Nevertheless, owner referred the calf for culling because of the relapse.