TY - JOUR
T1 - Foot lesions in farmed mink (Neovison vison)
T2 - pathologic and epidemiologic characteristics on 4 Danish farms
AU - Jespersen, Anna
AU - Hammer, Anne Sofie Vedsted
AU - Jensen, Henrik Elvang
AU - Bonde-Madsen, Nanna
AU - Lassus, Maria Margareta
AU - Agger, Jens Frederik Gramstrup
AU - Larsen, P. F.
PY - 2016/5
Y1 - 2016/5
N2 - The aim of this study was to evaluate gross and histologic lesions and epidemiologic factors of foot lesions in farmed mink. The feet of 1159 mink from 4 Danish farms were examined and lesions described. Swabs from the lesions were taken from 27 mink for microbiology, and tissue samples from a representative spectrum of feet with and without lesions (n = 22) were examined histologically. Feet were grouped according to gross inspection: no lesions (55.1%), hair loss (7.1%), hyperkeratosis (35.8%), and crusting (5.3%). Lesions were predominantly located in plantar metatarsal skin (98.1%). Staphylococci were the most prevalent microorganisms cultured from the lesions. There was a significant association between presence of lesions and sex (P <.0001), age (P <.0001), and color type (P =.023). Lesion size was significantly different between hair loss and crusts and between hyperkeratosis and crusts (P <.0001). Histologically, lesions included varying degrees of orthokeratotic to parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and granulomatous to pyogranulomatous dermatitis with trichogranulomas as a dominant feature in all mink. The gross and microscopic lesions were comparable to physically induced changes in other species that develop as a response to repetitive friction or pressure. The condition may have an impact on animal welfare in mink production.
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate gross and histologic lesions and epidemiologic factors of foot lesions in farmed mink. The feet of 1159 mink from 4 Danish farms were examined and lesions described. Swabs from the lesions were taken from 27 mink for microbiology, and tissue samples from a representative spectrum of feet with and without lesions (n = 22) were examined histologically. Feet were grouped according to gross inspection: no lesions (55.1%), hair loss (7.1%), hyperkeratosis (35.8%), and crusting (5.3%). Lesions were predominantly located in plantar metatarsal skin (98.1%). Staphylococci were the most prevalent microorganisms cultured from the lesions. There was a significant association between presence of lesions and sex (P <.0001), age (P <.0001), and color type (P =.023). Lesion size was significantly different between hair loss and crusts and between hyperkeratosis and crusts (P <.0001). Histologically, lesions included varying degrees of orthokeratotic to parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and granulomatous to pyogranulomatous dermatitis with trichogranulomas as a dominant feature in all mink. The gross and microscopic lesions were comparable to physically induced changes in other species that develop as a response to repetitive friction or pressure. The condition may have an impact on animal welfare in mink production.
U2 - 10.1177/0300985815600502
DO - 10.1177/0300985815600502
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 26333293
SN - 0300-9858
VL - 53
SP - 666
EP - 673
JO - Veterinary Pathology
JF - Veterinary Pathology
IS - 3
ER -