BACKGROUND: Full supply of the nutritional requirements of C57BL/6 mice plays an important role in preventing ulcerative dermatitis syndrome. OBJECTIVES: We conducted this work to asses ulcerative dermatitis in C57BL/6 mice colony and reduce it through dietary modification. METHODS: During a two-years period, a C57BL/6 mice colony in a laboratory animal breeding center was monitored for the presence of ulcerative dermatitis syndrome. In the first year, the animals were fed with outbred laboratory mice pellet and in the second year, the modified diet was used based on the nutritional requirements of this inbred mouse. RESULTS: The average numbers of litters per parturition were 3 and 6 in the first year and the second year, respectively. The litter's mortality rate in the first year was 75 % and zero in the second year. The total number of mice remaining in the colony was 220 in the first year, which increased to 1100 in the next year. Syndrome symptoms were observed in the adult mice in the first year. Alopecia was observed mainly in the back and neck and the severity of the symptoms was mild to severe. No mortality was observed in the mice, even in severe cases, and their recovery was spontaneous, yet very slow. In the necropsy, axillary lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly were observed. In histopathological samples taken from the skin lesions, the accumulation of inflammatory cells and the spongiosis of cornea cells were observed. In lymph nodes, spleen, and liver, pathological changes were observed from the accumulation of inflammatory cells to necrosis. In the second year, the number of cases reduced significantly to 2 %. The severity of the symptoms was mild and their recovery was faster than that in the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: By fully supplying the nutritional requirements of C57BL/6 mice, we could significantly prevent the occurrence of ulcerative dermatitis syndrome.

Fifteen days old Jersey crossbred calf was brought to the hospital with the history of sudden hair fall around the trunk and legs and the other calf was apparently normal in twin birth. Clinical examination revealed severe alopecia in both fore limbs, hind limbs, trunks and easy epilation of hairs, along with erythematous skin and pruritus and mild scaling around its thighs, flanks and trunk. Dermatological analysis of skin scrapings revealed negative for ectoparasites and trichogram showed no hair growth abnormalities. Haemato-biochemical parameters were in normal range except low plasma ascorbic acid (0.16 mg/dL). The case was diagnosed as vitamin C responsive dermatosis and treated with single dose of intravenous injection of 2.5 g of ascorbic acid diluted with normal saline. The owner was advised to follow tab. vitamin C total dose of 2 g/day for 10 days orally. After one week, further hair was loss ceased and complete regrowth of hair noticed after four weeks of treatment. 

Different types of skin lesions and their distribution in dogs withrecurrent pyoderma along with haematobiochemicalfindings were recorded in this study. Dogs with recurrent superficial pyoderma revealed papules, pustules, crusted papules, erythema, alopecia,crusts, scales, plaques, hyper-pigmentation and pruritus. Dogs affected with recurrent deep pyoderma had symptoms like papules,pustules, cellulitis, ulcers, crusted papules, nodules, fistulous tracts, alopecia, scale formation, crusts, hyper-pigmentation,erosions and furunculosis, pain and edema. The major locations of lesions for recurrent superficial pyoderma included lateral abdomen, lateral thorax and dorsum, axilla, groin, hind limb, foot, neck and fore limb and head. Lesions of recurrent deep pyoderma were predominantly observed over dorsum and lateral abdomen followedby head, neck, hind limb, lower abdomen, axilla and groin, forelimb and lateral thorax. Haemato-biochemical findings revealed leucocytosis, increased in absolute neutrophil count, eosinophil count and high serum cholesterol levels. Affected dogs also had decreased haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count and serum albumin levels.