Diseases of the Epidermis and Dermis

PARAKERATOSIS
IN SWINE
 DESCRIPTIO
N CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
SIGNS

PA R A K E R ATO S I S
a skin condition characterized by incomplete
keratinization of epithelial cells

CLINICAL
IMPORTANT
• a nutritional deficiency disease
• characterized by a nonpruritic, crusting
dermatitis
• Affected Age: Growing Pig
 6- to 16-week-old pigs
 DESCRIPTIO
N CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
SIGNS

PA R A K E R AT O S I S

ETIOLOGY /
CAUSES
• Zinc deficiency due to high levels of Ca &
phytic acid.
• Deficiency of Essential fatty acids
• Nonspecific chronic inflammation of
cellular epidermis
 CLINICAL
DESCRIPTIO SIGNS DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
N

PA R A K E R AT O S I S

PATHOGENESIS
 CLINICAL
DESCRIPTIO SIGNS DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
N

PA R A K E R AT O S I S

CLINICAL SIGNS

• mild lethargy, diahrrea & anorexia

• variety of behavior changes
 nibbling excessive vice and pica
 licking of the walls and floors.
• delayed growth - in severe case
 CLINICAL
DESCRIPTIO SIGNS DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
N

PA R A K E R AT O S I S
Parakeratosis Lesion, Pig
LESIONS

• reddened, followed by thickening and gray

discoloration
• Brown spots (macule) or papules
• excessive and abnormal keratinization.
 dry and rough skin with dirt and
debris
 formation of horny scale and fissures
o moist brownish sebum, dirt, and
debris accumulate in the fissure
• Pruritus is rare.
 DIAGNOSIS
DESCRIPTIO CLINICAL TREATMENT
N SIGNS

PA R A K E R AT O S I S
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis

• Clinical presentation
• Histopathological Examination
 Skin Biopsy
• Zinc levels in the liver
Hyperkeratosis Pachydermia Ringworm
Differential Diagnosis
• Hyperkeratosis • B vitamins or
• Pachyderma iodine deficiency
• Ringworm • Inherited
(Dermatophytosis) dermatosis
• Sarcoptic mange vegetans in pigs Sarcoptic Greasy pig Inherited
• Greasy pig disease • Inherited mange disease dermatosis
ichthyosis
vegetans
 TREATMEN
DESCRIPTIO CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS T
N SIGNS

PA R A K E R AT O S I S

PRIMARY SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT

TREATMENT
• Correcting the zinc levels of the diet • Removal of the crusts by the use of
• Preventing excessive dietary calcium keratolytic agent
content  salicylic acid ointment
Calcium and Zinc Nutrient Content • Vigorous scrubbing with soapy water
NUTRIENTS Ca P Zn • Application of an astringent
Nursery pig 0.8%–0.85% 0.4%–0.45% 100  White lotion paste - must be applied
(DFI- 280– mg/kg frequently and for some time after
500 g. )
the lesions have disappeared
Grower 0.6%–0.65% 60 ppm

Finisher 0.45%–0.5% 50 ppm

Sow & Boar 0.9% 150 ppm

 TREATMEN
DESCRIPTIO CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS T
N SIGNS

PA R A K E R AT O S I S
PREVENTION &
CONTROL

Evaluation of nutrition and diet may be

helpful, as deficiencies of the zinc, or
essential fatty acids can result in dry,
scaly, dandruff‐like dermatitis or
parakeratosis

Adding zinc to the ration is at present

the most promising prevention and
treatment known
 DESCRIPTIO CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT
N SIGNS

REFERENCES
PDF
WEBSITES
• Constable, P. D., Hinchcliff, K. W., Done, S. H.,
• https://www.msdvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/p & Grünberg, W. (2016). Veterinary medicine: a
arakeratosis/parakeratosis-in-pigs textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses,
sheep, pigs and goats. Elsevier Health
• https://open.lib.umn.edu/swinedisease/chapter/parakerat
osis/ Sciences.
•
• Zimmerman, J. J., Karriker, L. A., Ramirez, A.,
https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vdpam/FSVD/swine/index-dise
ases/parakeratosis#:~:text=Pigs%20with%20parakeratosis% Schwartz, K. J., Stevenson, G. W., & Zhang, J.
20will%20recover,adequate%20levels%20of%20zinc%20sal (2019c, June 18). Diseases of Swine (11th ed.).
ts
. Wiley-Blackwell.
•
• Pond, W. G., Church, D. B., Pond, K. R., &
https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/bitstream/handle/10365/24230
/ndfr_19560301_v18_iss04_121.pdf?sequence=1&isAllow Schoknecht, P. A. (2004, December 29). Basic
ed=y#:~:text=Addition%20of%20the%20trace%20mineral,u Animal Nutrition and Feeding (5th ed.). Wiley.
sed%20as%20sources%20of%20zinc
. • Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (2016, July 18).
The Merck Veterinary Manual (11th ed.).
Merck.
THANK YOU