Dermatology

Figure 3. A 5 year old male entire Springer Spaniel with severe saliva staining on the dorsal aspects of the hindpaws.

Canine atopic dermatitis

The previous definition of canine atopic dermatitis was of a ‘genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features associated with...

Figure 9. Carcinoma on the eyelid of a Bearded dragon-this is a predilection site for this tumour in this species.

Dermatological diseases of snakes and lizards and how to investigate them

Environment and stress play major roles in development of reptile disease, including skin disease. These stressors will also affect prognosis, as effects on the reptile's immune system will influence...

Figure 8. Pedal alopecia and hyperpigmentation in a 7-year-old crossbreed dog with pododemodicosis, as part of generalised demodicosis.

Canine mange, part 1: causes and diagnosis

The historical and clinical aspects of the common causes of canine mange, plus the approach to diagnosis, have been covered in part 1 of this series. Part 2 will discuss treatment and management...

Figure 8. Bacterial pyoderma in a rabbit. While there is extensive ulceration of the skin. The animal was overgrooming at time of examination, although it was felt this sign of pruritus was a secondary change as overgrooming was not noted until later in disease progression. Crusting also appeared secondary to ulceration. Impression smears assisted in identifying bacteria and an associated cellular response. There was a good response to medium-term antibiosis, and an underlying cause was not identified.

Dermatological diseases of small mammals

As Osler said, ‘Listen to your patient, he is telling you the diagnosis’. This is no less true in veterinary medicine. As such, the following should always be noted:.

Figure 1. A less common presentation of feline otitis externa.

Otitis externa: a review

The normal ear canal (Figure 4a) has an L shape, is lined with epithelium and has ceruminal glands which make cerumen, containing many immunologically active substances. The canal ends in the tympanic...

Figure 2. Severe crusting and small erosions on the nasal planum and bridge of the nose in a cat with pemphigus foliaceus.

Pemphigus foliaceus in cats

Pemphigus foliaceus is an antibody-mediated autoimmune skin disease. Autoantibodies belonging to the IgG subclass attack and destroy the desmosomes, the special structures connecting one keratinocyte...

Figure 1. Pruritus tends to be generalised but is often directed at the ears and feet (as well as abdomen).

Cutaneous adverse food reactions in the dog and cat – what's new?

The true prevalence of cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats is unknown. A critically appraised review of more than 30 articles describing these reactions in dogs and cats found that,...

Figure 10. Feline cowpox infection

Diagnosis in canine and feline dermatology

The approach to diagnosis is based upon completing the following steps:.

Figure 1. Alopecia and erythema on the ventral aspect of the neck of an English Bulldog. This dog had atopic dermatitis and presented with an acute flare.

Management of canine atopic dermatitis

Treatment of acute flares It is a recognised phenomenon that dogs with atopic dermatitis will suffer acute flares when exposed to an allergen to which they are hypersensitive (e.g. flea saliva,...

Figure 1. Early atopic dermatitis in a pruritic dog with erythema of the ventral neck. Regular use of a topical soothing and emollient product could alleviate the pruritus and inflammation. This could reduce the need for more potent systemic medication, thereby reducing costs and the risk of adverse effects. There is no evidence of bacterial or Malassezia sp. infection, therefore an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal product is not required.

Topical therapy in canine atopic dermatitis: new products

There are three main factors to consider when choosing a topical therapy product. First, the active ingredients should be appropriate for the patient's skin condition. Next, the choice of the...

Skin on the streets — the eyes have it

There are exceptions to every rule, but many of the most common skin conditions have very characteristic distributions of skin lesions. As the dermatological disease process becomes more chronic the...