Skin Disease:

A study of common skin diseases and

an algorithm for appropriate diagnosis

Symptoms of Skin Disease

Itching
Redness
Alopecia
Excessive licking of the skin
Skin abrasions (papules, pustules,
collarettes)
Chewing

Comb for Fleas

If fleas are found, the following protocol
may be followed:
Prescribe an antiparasitic
medicine
Prescribe preventative flea
medicine
Habitat disinfection (Salt, hot
water, professional help)

Cytology
Skin Scraping- Using a scalpel blade, scrape over the surface of the skin in a
buttering the bread motion in order to gather some material. Then, place the
material on a slide.
If mites are suspected, the skin should be squeezed in the area first so that,
when the scraping is being take, mites can be removed from the hair follicles
for examination.
Impression Smear- For moist lesions, a slide can be pressed to the surface of
the skin to collect secretions for examination.
Tape Impression- Clear tape should be pressed to the affected area and then
placed onto a slide for examination.

Cytology shows Staphylococci Bacteria

Staphylococcal Dermatitis:
Staphylococci bacteria regularly lives on
the skin
Staphylococcal Dermatitis Staph Infections
can be treated with the following:
Antibiotics
General health tests to follow up
(especially if recurring)

Staphylococci
bacteria

Cytology shows no threatening bacteria

Acral Lick Granuloma:
Anxiety related
What is it?
Acral Lick Granuloma has controversial
methods of treatment:
Bandage
Bitter apple deterrent
Behavioral modification
Corticosteroids for inflammation
E collar

Cytology shows Demodex Mites

Demodex Mites:
Opportunistic organisms
Not hereditary - immune immaturity
Not contagious (except demodex gatoi)
Demodicosis can be treated with:
Antiparasitic medication
Chlorhexidine shampoo
General health tests to follow up (especially if
recurring)

demodex
canis

demodex
cati

demodex
gatoi

Cytology shows Demodex Mites

Case Study- Demodicosis

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ss9pAmTIB9sjt3qoMLJw0dnvLnu2cUM_
Vgz7vz7Qyu8/edit?usp=sharing

Prognosis

It is important to understand that the following prognoses are case

generalizations and will vary from patient to patient due to their
response to treatment.

Fleas- If the owner is willing to tend to the demands of keeping up with flea
treatment and take proper preventative measures, the outlook for most cases of
fleas in dogs and cats is good.
Staphylococcal Infection- The bacteria should be able to be controlled with
treatments of antibiotics. However, as these bacteria are opportunistic
organisms, other tests should be run to check for an underlying factor
responsible for the disruption in the immune system.

Prognosis
Acral Lick Granuloma- The prognosis for acral lick granulomas is often unclear
as many owners experience difficulty when trying to control the issue
behaviorally. If the granulomas are not controlled, the animal may have to get
corticosteroid shots in order to control some of the irritation.
Demodex Mites- The mites should be able to be controlled with antiparasitics.
However, as opportunistic organisms, it is important to make sure that there are
not underlying factors compromising the immune system.

Citations
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html
http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/staphylococcal-dermatitis-hypersensitivity-in-dogs/
941
http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/evr_dg_acral_lick_granuloma_a_dermatology_nightmare
http://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/evr_multi_where_are_flea_and_tick_populations_worst
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_pyoderma
http://www.pesticideresearch.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FleasLifeCycle.gif
http://www.microbeworld.org/component/jlibrary/?view=article&task=download&id=7611
http://seniors101.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Lick-granuloma-5.jpg
https://www.dogleggs.com/images/ClientPhotos/Emma/edited/Emma_Dec18_1.jpg
http://www.animaldermatologysolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/demodex-mite-microscope.jpg
http://www.capcvet.org/images/uploads/images/d.gatoi.jpg
http://164.109.69.172/old_content/var/at/storage/images/media/images/atopica-cat/demodex-1/88068-1-eng-GLOBAL/demodex1_medium.jpg
https://www.zoetisus.com/conditions/pages/dermatology/img/cki_ssp_img02.jpg
http://www.bobmckee.com/IMAGE/Demodex.JPG
http://www.nevetdermatology.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Mange-in-Dogs-1-300x198.jpg
http://www.petmd.com/sites/default/files/dem_h2.jpg
https://www.zoetisus.com/Conditions/Pages/Dermatology/img/cki_df_img01.jpg

I would like to thank my teacher, my mentor

and everyone at MBAH for being so welcoming
as well as my parents for driving me around.
Are there any questions?