Foot Lesions in Farmed Mink (Neovison vison)

Abstract

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 ¼ 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 ¼ .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.

Arcanobacterium phocae infection in mink (Neovison vison), seals (Phoca vitulina, Halichoerus grypus) and otters (Lutra lutra)

“…It is still not clear what the pathogenesis or the port of entry for A. phocae is. Pododermatitis is speculated to be a multifactorial disease and it is suggested that genetic or immune factors and age could make the animals more susceptible [ 20 ]. Many streptococci and staphylococci are known commensals of the skin but act as opportunistic pathogens in case an ulcus is formed, e.g.…”