Vol. 10, Special Issue 8 (2021)

Author(s):
M Ranjithkumar, A Elamurugan, CS Arunaman, P Selvaraj and S Kavitha

Abstract:
Staphylococcal bacterial infections are more common in equine practice. It causes infectious folliculitis particularly in summer. This is often due to poor hygienic practices by the farmers. Coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus is the causative organism. A 8 year old, Kathiawari breed stallion presented with pruritus, self mutilated injury, alopecia over the nasal planum, periocular region, muzzle, mucocutaneous alopecia on the oral commisures over past 10 days. Direct impression smears showed abundant neutrophils with intracellular and extracellular cocci. Microbiological culture, isolation and biochemical examination confirmed the Staphylococcus aureus infection. The animal was treated with parenteral enrofloxacin and topical ofloxacin lotion for a period of 15 days. There was an uneventful recovery after 15 days of therapy. The owner was advised to practice hygienic practices. Unclean tack, rugs and poor grooming during hot and humid summer month was the reason for it. They were well treated with parenteral and topical quinolone group drugs.