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