Basics of dermatology Flashcards
Cases revolving around itching, allergies and general unhealthy skin
If you have a skin condition alongside a change in appetite or thirst what could this indicate?
Endocrine issues
What should you test for in a dog with skin issues and exercise intolerance?
Hypothyroidism
What is the most likely cause of skin issues if there are also gastrointestinal issues?
Food allergies
What can solensia in cats cause (dermatology)?
Pruritus
What are the 4 zoonotic skin conditions?
Ringworm
Fleas
Scabies (sarcoptes)
Cheyletiella
What should you consider if owners work in medical field?
MRSA
What question should you ask to help control environmental allergies?
Where does the animal sleep? - highest concentration of dust mites is in bedroom
Which lymph nodes can be increased in pruritic patients?
All but especially popliteal
If an animal is in contact with foxes what should you consider?
Fox mange (scabies)
What are the main primary skin lesions?
Erythema
Papules and pustules
What are the main secondary skin lesions?
Epidermal collarettes (superficial pyoderma)
Crusting - dried cells and exudate
Scale - dryness
Hyperpigmentation
How to do a coat brush?
rub the animal to release the dirt on the table then scrape together, remove bulk of the hair and tape the scurf on a slide without stain.
What does cheyletiella look like under microscope?
mite with a waist and clawed mouth
How to perform a hair pluck/ skin scrape?
Put drop of paraffin on slide. Pluck hair with foreceps from edge of lesion or scrape skin and place on slide with roots in same direction. Add cover slip.
What can you see from a hair pluck?
Demodex
Anagen roots- hair is growing
Dermatophytosis - round spores near hair root
Follicular casts - indicate root pathology
An animal presents for the first time with pruritus/ erythema. What are the steps to take during the first appointment?
- Coat brushing +/- hair pluck
- Tape strip or impression smears
Can pyoderma be primary?
No
What should the first step of treatment be?
Treat with something that covers for sarcoptes and demodex.
Cover for any secondary pyoderma
When should you perform culture and sensitivity testing?
Recurrent infections
Rods seen
What is a common example of surface pyoderma in dogs?
Hot spots
Skin fold dermatitis
What does superficial pyoderma often look like?
Epidermal collarettes, red papular rash +/- circular alopecia in short haired dogs
What is a sign of deep pyoderma in cats?
Chin acne/ fat chin
What are interdigital cysts a form of?
Deep pyoderma
A cat is seen with patchy alopecia but isn’t red. What should you do and what could it be?
Tape strip
Malassezia dermatitis (can look round as can get malassezia globosa)
What is the best way to test for dermatophytosis?
McKenzie toothbrush
Eosinophils are seen on a cytology sample from a cat, what does this indicate?
Eosinophilic granuloma complex - always treat
Once you have treated for parasites and secondary infections, what is the next step in working up a dermatology case?
6-8 week strict diet trial (preds or apoquel for first 4 weeks)
What novel proteins are often used for a diet trial?
Rabbit, quorn, goat, ostritch (all + potato)
What are some good options for a limited antigen diet?
JR single protein pate, Just Six fish, eukanuba monoprotein
What are the 3 main options for hydrolysed diets?
Purina HA (wet or dry)
Royal canine hypoallergenic
DECHRA
When should you take biopsies?
Strange lesions not improving on normal protocol
Nodules and ulcers
Severe alopecia with no other signs
What can owners give for treats to dogs on diet trial or that are food allergic?
Banana
Peanut butter
JR single protein pate
Wet purina HA
Quorn sausage
When you diagnose atopic dermatitis what should you always recommend?
Allergy testing for allergen avoidance or immunotherapy
What should you consider in an entire male dog with a belly rash?
Testicular neoplasia
An entire female gets flare ups of a skin condition every time she is in season, what should you consider?
Demodicosis
In older dogs with no prior history of skin disease what are the most common causes?
Hypothyroidism
Neoplasia
Best protocol to treat superficial pyoderma (hot spots/ skin fold)?
- Sedation, clip area and clean with chlorhexdine including satellite lesions
- Fusileve twice daily +/- contego spray three times daily
- Prednisolone
- If temperature then 10 day course antibiotic
What is the best protocol to treat superficial pyoderma?
2-3 week course abx
2x weekly bathing with chlorexyderm shampoo
Medicated foam daily or spray
Steroids
Pardale
What is the best way to treat deep pyoderma and interdigital cysts in dogs?
4-6 weeks abx based on C+S
Fusileve or contego spray
Steroids
Pardale
+/- phovia light therapy
+/- surgery to remove affected hair follicles for recurrent ID cysts or podoplasty
What is the best protocol to deal with malassezia dermatitis?
Topical chlorhexidine
Malaseb
Systemic itraconazole 5mg/kg SID 3 weeks in extreme cases or if near eyes/mouth off license
What steroid dose to give to dogs with a skin/ear flare up?
0.5mg/kg for 7 days no taper needed
What is a good alternative to prednisolone in dogs that get PU/PD?
Medrone - 0.4mg/kg 7 days
What skin condition can be caused from long term steroid use?
Calcinosis cutis
What is the best protocol for calcniosis cutis?
Biopsy for C+S
Contego spray daily
systemic antibiotics based on C+S
For localised inflammation what steroid spray can be used at what dose?
Dermanolon - 1 spray per 1.5kg for 10-14 days.
Can be used with oral steroids
How long does ciclosporin take to work?
8 weeks - use preds for first 3-4 weeks
What are common side effects of ciclosporin?
Transient V+D
Gingival hyperplasia
Hair growth
When shouldn’t apoquel be used?
Under 12 months
Chronic otitis
Pododermatitis
How often should bloods be taken when on apoquel and why?
6 monthly
Leukopenia and neutropenia. Possibly accelerate cancer growth
Why shouldn’t you use apoquel and cytopoint together?
Work on same channels - waste of money
What is miliary dermatitis in cats?
Scabbing on body and face - often can’t see it but can feel it.
What is the best steroid option for cats?
BOVA liquid chicken flavoured prednisolone
1-1.5mg/kg for 3-4 weeks then taper to EOD - lowest effective EOD dose as less side effects
Bloods every 6 months
What are the risks of giving cyclosporin in cats?
Toxoplasma - severe illness
Doesn’t taste nice
Which antihistamine to give to cats?
Cetirizine 5mg per cat SID
When is the best time to perform allergy testing?
2 weeks into a flare up
Over 1 year old
Which allergy profile is best to do?
Complete environmental test (trees, grass, weeds, mites, insects, mould, dander, bee and wasp venom)
Which medication needs to be withdrawn before allergy testing?
Long term high dose steroids - withdraw 28 days before
On cytology of an itchy dog/cat you see a heavy growth of cocci and yeast. What topical do you use?
Peptivet shampoo twice weekly and foam daily
A dog presents with surface pyoderma. What topical do you use?
Chlorexyderm (spot on, spray, foam, wipes)
In an animal with a greasy coat, what topical should you use?
Zincoseb shampoo and spray. 5 minute contact time
What spray can be used in the environment to control dust allergies?
Allergone - lasts 5 months
