Archive Case #98: Ovine Dermatophilosis

Clinical Clues

1. Several ewes develop matted patches of fleece during a prolonged period of wet weather.
2. The owner notices crusting skin lesions beneath the affected coat.
3. When the fleece is parted, small paintbrush-like scabs are visible.
4. Affected areas are painful when the crusts are removed.
5. The lesions are concentrated over the back and shoulders.
6. This bacterial skin disease of sheep is strongly associated with prolonged moisture and fleece wetting.

Diagnosis

Ovine Dermatophilosis

This case is most consistent with Ovine Dermatophilosis because the sheep have wet-weather fleece matting with characteristic paintbrush scabs. The most important clues are the crusting pattern and moisture association, which make ectoparasites less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.