Chemotherapy of dermatophilosis--a preliminary study

In view of the unpredictability of results of antibiotic therapy of bovine dermatophilosis and following the report of successful use of 10% formalin administered intravenously at the dosage of 20 ml per 100 kg body weight, a trial was undertaken to evaluate the latter treatment in naturally-occurring dermatophilosis in a group of Friesian crossbred cattle. Group 1 animals were given only 10% formalin. Group 2 received 10% formalin and long-acting oxytetracycline (L/AO) at a dosage of 20 mg per kg body weight and Group 3 animals were given only L/AO. Treatments were repeated at intervals of four days. All animals recovered fully, the formalin only-treated ones after three treatments the L/AO-treated ones after a mean of 2.7 treatments and the combination-treated animals after a mean of 1.5 treatments. One LA/O-treated animal showed relapse after four months. This study is continuing.