Bovine congenital erythropoietic protoporphyria in a pedigree Limousin heifer
Buchanan, M.; Crawshaw, W.M.
Veterinary Record 136(25): 640
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7571274 Document Number: 441069
A Limousin heifer (2 years old) became extremely agitated 6 days after being turned out for the first time (May 12, 1994) Abnormal behaviour included continual head shaking, ear twitching, head rubbing and snorting. The margins of the pinnae were very scaly with marked alopecia and large amounts of flaking debris. Many small scabs oozed clear serum and both ears were very sensitive to the touch. The nose and vulva were bronze in colour and there were small erythematous lesions around the nostril. One month later the lesions were confined to the ears with some pinnae margins missing. The heifer would tolerate cloudy conditions but sought shade after a couple of hours in bright sunlight. After housing the heifer calmed down and wanted to be out the following day. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels in heparinized blood of the affected cow were 170 and 260 times higher than those of 2 control Friesian heifers of the same age and management regimen. These finding were consistent with a diagnosis of congenital erythropoietic protoporphyria.