Clinical Therapeutics Flashcards
Name two common surface overgrowth skin problems
Pyotraumatic dermatitis (“hot spots”)
Fold dermatitis
How can you treat ‘hot spots’
Look for underlying cause e.g., allergy (FAD) or pruritic/painful trigger; predisposed breed?
- Happen overnight
- Will see an overgrowth of cocci
- Clip and clean with topical antiseptic/antimicrobial
- Systemic anti-inflammatory and pain relief
How would you treat fold dermatitis?
- Topical antiseptics/ anti-microbial and topical/systemic anti-inflammatories
- Look for underlying cause e.g., obese dogs causing a deep vulvar fold -> weight loss
- May progress to superficial or deep infection
- Can occur around the tail base, vulva, lips, etc
Which lesions are seen in superficial pyoderma
Pustules, papules, macules, crusts, erythema, staphylococcus, plaques, epidermal collarette
What is staphylococcal folliculitis?
Pustule of the hair follicle
How is superficial pyoderma treated?
Underlying cause – identify, treat/ manage
Topical treatment is most important
Systemic antibiotics ONLY if severe/ widespread proven infection and/or no response to above - Preferably chosen by swab culture
Topical therapy is the sole therpay for which conditions?
Surface infections, otitis externa and many cases of superficial pyoderma
Why is topical therpay used adjunct to systemic therpay?
improve efficacy and speed cure
How does Malassezia present?
Cobblestone appearance of the ventral neck – skin thickening
Extremely pruritic
What is the first line treatment for Malassezia dermatitis?
Shampoo first line treatment
- Chlorhexidine 2% + miconazole 2%
- Chlorhexidine >= 3%
What are the other treatment options for Malassezia dermatitis?
- Other topical preparations for skin and ears - Clotrimazole, miconazole, nystatin, terbinafine, selenium sulfide
- Systemic antifungals - Only if chronic or severe and underlying disease addressed
- Allergy vaccine
- If patient has atopic dermatitis and is hypersensitive
- Desensitise the patient against the yeast
Which factors help to select treatment for deep skin infections?
- Patient may be more painful that pruritic
- Can be systemically unwell
- Can have deep and superficial skin infections simultaneously but need to be treated differently as different parts of the skin are damaged
- What is the underlying cause?
- Localised: Topical antiseptics and antibiotics
- Severe/ widespread, especially if patient systemically unwell: systemic antibiotics always based on culture and susceptibility
When is antimicrobial use is indicated, how they are used appropriately?
- Choice based on cytology +/- culture and susceptibility testing
- Use correct drug, dose, frequency and duration
- Give good (written) instructions to owners
- Drug choice: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, susceptibility of the organism, antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and drug cascade
How long are antibiotics needed for superficial pyoderma?
2-3 weeks
How long are antibiotics needed for deep pyoderma?
4+ weeks
For deep infections there may be an initial rapid response, but then improvement occurs quite slowly; if progress stops repeat culture
Describe the features of 1st line antibiotics
- Not restricted
- High index of suspicion of, or proven infection
- Based on likely microbe and C+S
Name some 1st line antibiotics
Amoxicillin +/- clavulanate
Tetracycline/doxycycline
Clindamycin
Cephalexin
Metronidazole
Describe the features of 2nd line antibiotics
- Semi-restricted, case by case
- Only if no 1st line drug
- Infection evident and C+S uploaded
- Consent from senior clinician