Infertility Associated With Severe Vulval Dermatophilosis In A Bunaji Cow In A Settled Cattle Herd In Zaria, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This case report is of a severe vulval dermatophilosis (infection with Dermatophilus congolensis) in a Bunaji cow in a settled cattle herd in Zaria, (latitude 11o 08\'N), Northern Nigeria The infection was associated with infertility due to physical obstruction to penile intromission, due to the vulval scab lesions, thereby adding another dimension to the economic losses of the disease especially in the female. The intractable nature of the disease, and the fact that the cow could not conceive, resulted in the eventual culling of the cow by the owner. The poor physical condition of the cow led to a very poor culling market value. The role of vulval dermatophilosis in cycling females that may permit service by the bulls in the transmission of the disease to serving bulls is considered to present a research challenge.

Keywords: infertility, vulva, dermatophilosis, Bunaji, cow

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 28 (1) 2007 pp. 71-74