Approach to the equine skin case Flashcards
How are viral papilloma’s linked to age?
Various nodules over the nose and muzzle, common viral papilloma in young horses and over time they go away, only a cosmetic problem
How is Cushings disease linked to dermatology?
Long, curly nature to the coat. Characteristic of hypertrichosis subsequent to a condition called pars pituitary intermedia dysfunction or Cushing’s disease
Which cosmetic condition is liked to Arabian horses?
Pinky Arab syndrome form of leukoderma
Grey skin horses are linked to which condition?
Melanoma
What are some methods of primary sample collection?
- Skin brushings / skin scraping
- Hair plucking
- Adhesive tape
- Skin biopsy
What are some methods of secondary sample collection?
- Skin biopsy
- Intradermal skin test
- Blood tests
Hair plucking is used to detect?
- Lice eggs stuck to hairs
- Hyphae spores attached around the cast of a hair – indicates a ringworm infection
Which sampling method isn’t useful in horses?
Skin scrapings
When are impression smears used?
Used when you have something that is oozing e.g. pus
- Very useful for identification of inflammatory cells, bacteria, etc
When is an adhesive tape test used in horses?
Commonly used in a horse that is pruritic over the rump area
DD = allergy to midges or a parasite living in the rectum
What are suitable lesions to biopsy in horses?
- Papules or pustules
- Most neoplastic lesions
What are the golden rules when carrying out a skin biopsy?
- Try not to clip if you can
- Do not scrub skin
- Place small amount of local anaesthetic subcutaneously (not intradermally!)
- Rotate biopsy punch in just one direction
- Handle biopsy carefully (don’t squish it)
A shave biopsy is used to sample?
The coronary band
- use a scalpel and shave upwards
