SKIN DISEASE IN DOGS DR FIONNUALA FALLON MVB
SKIN DISEASE IN DOGS DR FIONNUALA FALLON MVB PARK PETS VETERINARY CLINIC KINNEGAD
DERMATOLOGY IN GENERAL PRACTICE • SKIN – LARGEST ORGAN IN BODY • GIVES VETS THE MOST HEADACHES • SECOND MOST COMMON CONSULTATION AFTER ROUTINE PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE • PRURITIS MOST COMMON COMPLAINT ACCOUNTING FOR 30 -40% OF SKIN PROBLEMS
VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY - MOSTLY ABOUT DOING DETECTIVE WORK
Step one: take a thorough history Major client complaint Description of disease onset Description of skin disease progression Degree and location of pruritus Current and prior treatments and response Parasite history and current parasite control—or lack thereof Evidence of contagion to other animals or people. Clinical signs the owner has observed Evidence of concurrent disease
COAT AND SKIN EXAMINATION Isolating ectoparasites If ectoparasites are found (fleas, Sarcoptes, Demodex, Cheyletiella spp. , Neotrombicula autumnalis, etc. ), appropriate treatment should be given and the animal reassessed 3 to 4 weeks later. If we don't find them, a diagnostic therapy can be considered.
Clinical exam – nose to tail
Basic diagnostic tests Hair plucks for fungal culture skin scrape to look for parasites Tape strip for cytology to look for yeast or fungal elements
Skin scrape can detect mange 50% of the time
SARCOPTIC MANGE SARCOPTES MITES BURROW THROUGH THE SKIN CAUSING INTENSE ITCHING AND IRRITATION
Walking Dandruff
Harvest mites
Tape strips are useful
Performing a tape strip Press a clear acetate strip onto affected areas of the dog’s skin Stain and allow to dry. Place strip onto microscope slide Examine slide under high power (x 400) and oil immersion
Tape strip Yeast (Malassezia) Malassezia have a distinctive ‘footprint’ or ‘peanut’ shape. More than two Malassezia per high power (x 400) field is suggestive of Malassezia dermatitis. Bacteria Neutrophils containing intracellular bacteria are diagnostic of bacterial pyoderma. Cocci are a typical cause of pyoderma. Rods suggest an atypical infection. Consider carrying out culture and sensitivity tests.
Tape strip for cytology
Hot spots – my favourite THE AREA USUALLY APPEARS RED, RAISED, IRRITATED AND HAS SOME DEGREE OF HAIR LOSS
Impetigo – puppies – pus filled blisters PUPPY ACNE - SUPERFICIAL PYODERMA
Folliculitis
Seborrhea – greasy and scaly – can be genetic and last a lifetime TOPICAL SHAMPOOS CAN HELP
Changes in texture and colour – chronic – see a vet!
Deep pyoderma – takes weeks to treat
Dry flaky skin – can indicate bad diet or oil deficiency
Acral lick granuloma PAINFUL AND CHRONIC
Skin tumours
Difficult lesions PERIANAL FISTULAS – GERMAN SHEPHERDS
Immune disorders
Anal sac disease
Fungal culture - Ringworm
Ringworm – zoonotic dog cat
Hair plucks – for cytology and fungal culture
ALLERGIC DISEASE FLEA ALLERGY FOOD ALLERGY ATOPIC DERMATITIS CONTACT ALLERGY ATOPIC DOGS ARE ITCHY 100% OF THE TIME ATOPY MEANS MULTIPLE ALLERGIES ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGENS ARE THE MOST COMMON
Allergic dermatitis Common Frustrating Sometimes we can only manage these cases
FLEA ALLERGY
Don’t wait to see adult fleas to treat for fleas There a variety of ways you get into trouble when it comes to fleas: — No treatment all winter, start treating May or June. — Use over the counter products purchased at a supermarket — Treat the dogs, but not the cats. — Only treat the pets that live strictly outdoors. — Only treat the pets that live strictly indoors. — Buy products that come with a guarantee – but buy from online pharmacies, voiding the guarantee. — Wash pets with
TOPICAL SPOT ON NOW THREE MONTHY AVAILABLE ORAL TABLET MONTHLY COLLARS Types of flea control TOPICAL SPRAYS
ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGENS
Allergy testing
Allergy testing – blood tests
Immunotherapy – expensive
FOOD ALLERGIE S
Little white dogs ! Food trial Feet licking scooting Chronic ears
CONTACT ALLERGY MOSTLY ON VENTRUM
LET’S TALK ABOUT OTITIS!
OTITIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH DERMATITIS 43% OF OTITIS CASES ARE LINKED WITH ALLERGY
WORKUP OF NON LESIONAL PRURITIS
Systemic disease – cushings
Hypothyroidism – in house testing
Seasonal flank alopecia – boxers
Cavaliers – watch for Syringomyelia Scratching with no lesions Genetic
Blocked tear ducts
Treatments – new and old – but not this !!!
Questions?
- Slides: 57