BSC Amw3, Bvs3 Angela Bayfield 2010

BSc AMW3, BVS3
Lecture 9
Angela Bayfield 2010
 Review skin – anatomy and physiology
 Common aetiology
 Pyoderma
 Atopic dermatitis
 Acral Lick dermatitis
 Food allergy
 Flea allergy
 Diagnostic tests
 Epidermis
 Basement membrane
 Dermis
 Appendageal system
 Sub-cutaneous muscle
and fat
 Many skin diseases look alike, and a
definitive diagnosis is made over time by
ruling in or out possible causes, by evaluating
responses to therapy, and/or by process of
elimination.
(Merck veterinary manual)
 Dermatology is the best specialty. The patient

never dies and never gets well. (Anonymous)
Alopecia :
 2 broad aetiologic categories — congenital or hereditary and
acquired.
 Acquired alopecia is further divided into 2 categories:
inflammatory and non-inflammatory.
Pruritis:
 a clinical sign and not a diagnosis or specific disease.
Determine the cause:

 Allergic ?
 Parasitic ?
 Hormonal ?
 Auto-immune ?
Contact
dermatitis
Ringworm
Flea allergy
 Less common in cats than in dogs or
humans.
 Diagnosis of feline skin diseases more
challenging - less classical reaction

patterns than in other species.
 Increased frequency of skin biopsy has
allowed the diagnosis of an increasing

number of feline skin diseases.
lip fold dermatitis
Interdigital furunculosis
Food allergy
pyoderma
Any condition that results in the accumulation
of neutrophilic exudate (pus)
Aetiology :
 Infectious, inflammatory, and/or neoplastic
 Classified by depth, etiology, primary or
secondary.
 Bacterial causes are most common
Moderate ⇒ deep
 Deep pyoderma ⇒pain, crusting, odour, and
exudation of blood and pus.
Most common underlying triggers of superficial
pyoderma include:
- Fleas, flea allergy dermatitis,
- Atopy (hypersensitivity)
- Food allergy
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperadrenocorticism
- Poor grooming.
An inflammatory,
chronically relapsing,
non-contagious and
pruritic skin disorder -
usually requires
lifelong therapy.
Clinical Signs:
 Itching, scratching, rubbing, chewing or biting.
 Hyperpigmentation and Skin thickening
Causes:
 Inherited genetic predisposition (West Highland White
Terriers, Bull Terriers, Boxers, Dalmatians and Retrievers )

 Immune response to allergens in the environment, such
as: House dust mites, Pollen, Mould, Insects, Skin surface

microbes
 Secondary skin infections, such as Staphylococcus and
Malassezia are common in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Diagnosing:
 Exclusion of other disorders.

 Immunomodulator / Immunotherapy
Injecting increasingly large doses of allergens identified
during a skin test, causing them to build resistance -may
take up to 9 months to respond to the treatment.
 Steroids
Beware side-effects ⇒insatiable appetite, excessive thirst and
urination. Hair thinning, liver damage, and skin and urinary
tract infections
 Antihistamines
Help control itching but several types may have to be
prescribed in an attempt to find an effective one.
 Food supplements
Essential fatty acids which have been found to help reduce
itching in some dogs
 Topical therapies
Shampoos, rinses and topical anti-itch solutions offer
immediate, short-term relief
 Antibiotics
Antibiotics are often used to fight secondary infections
 Canine skin disorder resulting from an urge to lick
the lower portion of the leg. The lesion from the
incessant licking is a thickened, firm, oval placque.
 Psychogenic – OCD ? Separation anxiety?
 Other causes –bacterial or fungal infections,

demodectic mange, trauma causing nerve damage,
allergies, or joint disease.
 Large active dogs left alone for long periods of

time – habit – endorphin release - addiction
Commonly affected breeds
Dalmatian
Doberman
Great Dane
Labrador Retriever
Irish Setter and other setters
Golden Retriever
Border Collie
 1.Stop the licking -Elizabethan collars,
bandages, anti licking pastes.
 2. Reduce inflammation – corticosteroids and
antibiotics to deal with any secondary
infection.
 3. Behavioural modification – anti
depressants, endorphin blockers or
substitutes.
 4. Address psychological factors - include
increased walks, avoiding confinement, and
more interaction in the home.
 Common in both dogs and cats
 Non-seasonal pruritus, with little variation in the
intensity of pruritus
 Onset is variable (<12 months of age)
 Symptoms vary
 – localised⇒ entire body dermatitis
 - head and neck pruritis
 - alopecia (symmetrical)
 Diagnostic tests unreliable
 Strict food elimination diet - trial diet should be
fed for up to 3 months (novel food) – care with
cats (hepatic lipidosis)
 Most common eczematous, pruritic skin
disease of dogs and cats
 Affected animals develop allergic reactions to
chemicals in flea saliva (proteolytic enzymes

⇒ histamine-like substances)
 Clinical Findings:
 Erythema (redness), papules & pustules ,
scabs alopecia
 Lower back, upper tail, neck and down the
back of the legs.

Describe the
treatment protocol for
this skin
disease ..................
 Recognized in all domestic animals
 Prolonged exposure to sunlight is a major
predisposing factor (white cats).

 Grooming habits of cats also expose them to
particulate carcinogens (cigarette smoke and flea

collars).
 Unique form of feline s.c.c. associated with
papilloma virus infection.

 Scc’s most frequent form of skin cancer in
dogs.
 invasive into adjacent soft and bony tissues
 surgical excision, such as amputation of the involved
digit or pinnae or nosectomy, is the treatment of
choice
 Limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation may
help prevent solar-induced scc in dogs and
cats.
 UV window screens
 Sunscreen
 Keeping the animals indoors during hours of
peak sunlight.
 Tattoos and Magic markers
 detailed history
 physical examination
 appropriate diagnostic tests.
 Skin scrapings
 Combing of the hair/coat
 Examination of hairs
 Cytology
 Fungal/Bacterial cultures
 Biopsy
 Intradermal skin testing
 In vitro diagnostic tests (ELISA)
 Routine blood/urine tests
 Review skin – anatomy and physiology
 Common aetiology
 Pyoderma
 Atopic dermatitis
 Acral Lick dermatitis
 Food allergy
 Flea allergy
 Diagnostic tests

BSC Amw3, Bvs3 Angela Bayfield 2010

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BSc AMW3, BVS3

 Dermatology is the best specialty. The patient

Determine the cause:

challenging - less classical reaction

allowed the diagnosis of an increasing

 Hyperpigmentation and Skin thickening

Terriers, Bull Terriers, Boxers, Dalmatians and Retrievers )

as: House dust mites, Pollen, Mould, Insects, Skin surface

Malassezia are common in dogs with atopic dermatitis

 Psychogenic – OCD ? Separation anxiety?

 Other causes –bacterial or fungal infections,

 Large active dogs left alone for long periods of

chemicals in flea saliva (proteolytic enzymes

back of the legs.

predisposing factor (white cats).

particulate carcinogens (cigarette smoke and flea

papilloma virus infection.

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