sunburn

[nuttalls]

hello all, we have a short red heifer that I think has been sun burnt and then peeled. it was just improving then we had some hot sun and same thing again, but this time smothered her with sun cream and she hasn't burnt. this hasn't happened before, but we have a pony that burns the same, has anyone had this jean

[Duncan MacIntyre]

"Sunburn" in cattle is rarely simply burning by the sun, it is usually the result of chemicals deposited in the skin which react to strong sunlight and release energy resulting in cellular damage. Some of these chemicals are found in poisonous plants, but sometimes it is the result of sheer quantity of chlorophyl in grass being broken down. In most cases only white skin is involved, but may affect any bit of breeds such as charolais which are not strictly white. Is your red cow a very light shade of red? In black and white cattle, you can often trace the white patches by closing your eyes and running a finger round the boundary, the white bits being swollen and the black not.

In many cases of photosensitisation the liver is also damaged - I usually give severe cases some form of Vit B such as Combivit to help with liver metabolism. They benefit from antihistamines or anti-inflamatory drugs but only if got early. They should also be kept under a roof for a few weeks.

In theory dexters should rarely show signs except maybe on white bits of udder or teats.

Duncan