Parakeratosis in swine

clinical, histopathological and therapeutic diagnosis

Abstract

The group cases of suine parakeratosis are described, one of the related to primary zinc deficiency and the other two to secondary zinc deficiency due to excess of calcium in the feed. From the clinical point of view, skin lesions, loss of general condition, low consumption and convertion were observed. Skin alterations began in the abdomen and legs, appearing in the latter ones the caraeteristics of the disease. Histopathology results revealed alterations in keratination, with persistence of nuclea in the corneus layer. The administration of zinc oxide or sulphate eliminated the symptoms in 20 - 30 days. The importance of parakeratosis and its diagnostic
methods are discussed, as well as treatment and control measures.