Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Leukoderma in Buffaloes

Nine Marathwadi buffaloes exhibiting grayish discolouration of hair and skin were diagnosed as leukoderma based on hypocupremia, low serum ceruloplasmin and absence of melanocytes and melanophores in epidermis on histopathological examination. The animals were treated with mineral mixture (containing Cu 406 mg/kg) and 30 g of copper sulphate @ 10gm/100 kg b.wt. orally once daily, 8 recovered completely by 120 days indicating recovery rate of 88.89 percent. The recovery period ranged between 82–118 days with an average of 94.78 ± 5.14 days. In treated buffaloes, skin regained black colour, serum copper level restored and melanocytes and melanin reappeared in skin on histopathological examination.