Vitiligo in a cow apparently associated with hepatosis

Authors: Avidar Y, Gur Y, Perl S, Yeruham I
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 46, Issue 2, pp 78-79, Apr 1998
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Liver/hepatic disease, Idiopathic disease, Inflammation, Trauma/injuries
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Vitiligo is an idiopathic acquired depigmentation, and there are no preceding or concurrent signs of cutaneous inflammation or injury (Scott, 1988). Vitiligo has been most commonly reported in the Holstein-Friesian breed (Meijer and van der Ejk, 1961; Meijer, 1965; Meijer, 1966) and it clinically resembles the disease in Arabian horses (Scott, 1988). Vitiligo has also been reported in Japanese black cattle, in conjunction with hyperthyroidism (Sako, 1983; Hayashi et al., 1989). We report herein a case of vitiligo in a cow, apparently associated with hepatosis. A 3-year-old Holstein Israeli dairy cow, from a herd of 40 cows, presented a history of skin depigmentation. The herd is kept in a loose housing system in large, completely covered open sheds, under a zero-grazing management system. The cow was 5 months pregnant and, 2 weeks prior to the presentation, loss of appetite and a drop in milk production were observed. On clinical examination…

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