Skin and ears Flashcards
What are some common major causes of skin disease
Congenital
Infectious
Autoimmune
Allergic and atopic
Traumatic
Endocrine
Neopalsia
What are common skin diseases in cats
Feline acne
Food allergy dermatitis
Cat fight abscesses
Eosinophilic plaques
Ringworm
What are common skin diseases in dogs
Food allergy dermatitis
Aopy
Pattern baldness
Seborrheic dermatitis
Papillomas
Neoplasia
Flea bite allergy dermatitis
Ectoparasties
What deos excoriation mean
superficial traumatic damage to the skin
What does seborrhea mean
greasy, crusty skin due to increased secretion from the sebaceous glands
Food allergy dermatitis and otitis is common in
More common in dogs than cats
Breed predispositions: labradors, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels
Immune mediated reaction: the immune system identifies proteins in the food as foreign and antibodies are produced against them
Pathophysiology of food allergy dermatitis and ottitis
A protein is ingested and is absorbed into the blood stream→ protein binds to antibodies on the surface of circulating mast cells → mast cells release granules containing histamine → inflammation
What are the clinical signs of food allergy dermatitis and otitis
Non haired skin is most commonly affected
Ears
Truncal skin
Feet
Anal glands
Less commonly: Gi signs including v/d, flatulence and inappetence
What are the most common food allergens
Cats: fish, chicken, wheat and dairy
Dogs: beef, chicken, lamb, corn and wheat
What is the elmination diet trial
Involves the removal of all possible allergens that the patient may be reacting to
8-12 week duration
Should see some improvement in pruritus score within 30 days
No treats, chews, flavoured meds, supplements, toothpaste, human food
Prescription elimination diet and water ONLY
After pruritus is resolved, introduce single ingredients → if not relapse of clinical signs appears within two weeks, this ingredient is likely tolerated by the animal
Limited Antigen–limited ingredients that are likely to be hypoallergenic (duck, fish, rice, potato)
Novel Antigen – the protein source is one that the patient has never been exposed to before (kangaroo, venison, crocodile)
Hydrolyzed Protein – proteins are broken down into amino acid chains, 10% of dogs still react to these diets
Amino Acid Diet – the diet is made up of specific amino acids at specific ratios (Royal Canin Anallergenic)
What is atopic dermatitis
Environmental allergies (there may be a food component as well)
Ingested, inhaled or contact allergens
Similar presentation as with food allergies
There must be a seasonal component
Very frustrating condition – it may be very difficult to avoid allergens
Breed disposition: german shepherds, labs, goldens, westies
>2 years old
Suspected based on clinical signs and lack of response to an elimination diet trial
How do you treat atopy
Bathing, medications, allergen avoidance, diets, topical products and supplements to support the skin
Topical products
Antibacterial shampoos
Keratolytic products
Antiseborrheic shampoos
Antifungal
Spot ons
Dermoscent product line
Duoxo product line
How do you bath an animal with atopy
Pay attention to recommended contact times
Make bathing the pet a +’ve experience
Luke cool water +/- conditioning products to prevent over drying of the skin, especially when bathing frequency
May be as often as SID or EOD initially
Demodicosis is and getton by
Live in the hair follicles and SQ glands
Transmitted from dam to puppies within 72 hours of birth
Otherwise considered non transmissible b/w healthy animals
NOT zoonotic
Demodicosis is most common in puppies, it generally is only seen in older animals that are immunosuppressed
Demodicosis localized demodex is
Face and head – usually around eyes and muzzle
Focal alopecia and erythema – not pruritic by itself
Often self limiting though can progress to generalized form
What is generalized demodex
The majority of the body is affected AND/OR the feet are affected
Need to look for an underlying disease process- immunosuppression
Often accompanied by pyoderma-pruritis
How do you treat demodicosis
Identify and address underlying cause of immunosuppression
Treat secondary skin infections
Antiparasiticides–isoxazolines are very effective
What is sarcoptic mange
Burrowing mite: females burrow into the dermis to lay eggs → hypersensitivity reaction→ extreme pruritus
Wildlife reservoir: coyotes
Common in rescue animals from Northern Saskatchewan
Highly contagious – direct contact
Zoonotic
How do you treat sarcoptic mange
Anti Parasiticides must be given to all in contact animals
Relatively easy to treat
What is the otitis externa
The most common condition effecting the ear
Inflammation of the vertical and horizontal canal +/- the tympanic membrane
Concave surface of the pinna is also often affected
What are the 3 components of etiology of otitis externa
Predisposing factors: poor ear conformation, floppy pinnas, hairy ears, wet ears (swimming/bathing)
Primary factors: underlying conditions causing inflammation (food allergies, atopy, neoplasia, parasites, foreign bodies)
Normal flora overgrowth: more likely to occur in a wet, warm enviro
What are the c/s of otitis externa
Head shaking
And scratching at the ears
Erythema
Smelly ears
Discharge from the ears
“Dropped” ears
How do you diagnsoe and treat otitis externa
Ear swabs and microscopic examination
Otoscopic exam
Clean the ears – mild ear cleaning solution or saline depending on whether or not tympanic membrane is intact
Medication – usually topical
Often contain an antibiotic, antifungal and an anti inflammatory (usually a steroid)
Shift to using only a steroid – Cortotic
What are aural hematoma
Damage to the capillaries of the pinna causes blood to accumulate b/w the skin and cartilage of the pinna
May be due to excessive scratching, head shaking or trauma
how do you treat aural hematoma
Surgical drainage
Drainage and steroid injection
Oral steroids
Treat underlying cause
What are signs of horners syndorme
(sympathetic cranial nerve damage)
Droopy ear
Droopy eyelid
Prolapsed 3rd eyelid
Miosis
Droopy lip
What is aquired deafness
Occlusion of ear canal after otitis externa
Damage due to otitis media/interna
Trauma
Ototoxic drugs – macrolide class of antibiotics
Neoplasia
Degenerative/age-related
What is congenital deafness and who is most common
Can occur in any species or breed though some breeds are at an increased risk
White hair coats
Dalmations
Dogs with the merle gene
Australian Shepherd, Blue Heeler, Border Collie, Great Danes, English Setters)
