Small Animal Dermatology for Technicians and Nurses

Kim Horne, AAS, CVT, VTS (Dermatology), is a technician at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN, USA.

Marcia Schwassmann, DVM, DACVD, is a dermatologist at Veterinary Dermatology Center in Maitland, FL, USA.

Dawn Logas, DVM, DACVD, is a dermatologist at Veterinary Dermatology Center in Maitland, FL, USA.

List of Contributors xiii


Preface xv


Acknowledgments xvii


Introduction xix


Section I The Role of the Veterinary Technician and Nurse 1


1 Managing the Small Animal Dermatology Patient 3
Kim Horne


Introduction 3


History 3


Dermatological Procedures 6


Flea Combing 6


Ear Cytology/Swab 9


Skin Cytology 11


Tape Prep (Especially Useful for Finding Yeast on the Skin) 12


Sampling a Pustule 14


Sampling a Crust 14


Skin Scraping 14


Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres cati (Feline Scabies) 15


Demodex canis, Demodex cati, Demodex injai 16


Cheyletiella spp., Demodex cornei, Demodex gatoi, Lynxacarus radovsky, Lice (Linognathus setosus, Trichodectes canis, Felicola subrostratus, etc.) 17


Fecal Flotation 17


Trichography 17


Dermatophyte Culture 19


Mackenzie Brush Technique 20


Tape Prep Procedure 20


Skin Punch Biopsy 21


Client Education and Client Compliance 23


Helpful Hints to Improve Client Compliance 24


Capsules and Tablets 24


Injections 24


Bathing 25


Ear Cleaning 25


Handouts 25


Recheck Appointment Options 25


Phone Calls 26


Conclusion 26


References 26


Section II Skin and Ear Diseases 27


2 Bacterial Infections 29
Dawn Logas and Christie Yamazaki Delan


Introduction 29


Pathogenesis 29


Surface Pyodermas 29


Clinical Features 30


Diagnostic Tests 31


Treatment 31


Superficial Pyodermas 32


Clinical Features 32


Diagnostic Tests 34


Treatment 35


Deep Pyodermas 35


Clinical Features 35


Diagnostic Tests 38


Treatment 39


Client Education 40


Feline Bacterial Skin Infections 41


Methicillin?Resistant Staphylococcal Infections 42


Conclusion 43


References 43


Recommended Reading 44


3 Malassezia Dermatitis 45
Barbara Haimbach


Introduction 45


Clinical Features (Canine) 45


Clinical Features (Feline) 47


Diagnostic Tests 48


Treatment 49


Client Education 50


Conclusion 51


References 51


4 Otitis Externa 53
Dawn Logas


Introduction 53


Pathogenesis 53


Clinical Features 57


Diagnostic Tests 58


Treatment 59


Predisposing Factors 59


Primary Causes 60


Perpetuating Factors 60


Ear Cleaning 60


Client Education 63


Conclusion 64


References 64


5 Dermatophytosis 65
Sandra Grable


Introduction 65


Pathogenesis 65


Clinical Features 66


Diagnostic Tests 68


Woods Lamp Examination 68


Trichography 69


Fungal Culture 69


Fungal Culture Media and Systems 71


Gross Analysis and Microscopy 71


Common Contaminants 75


Safety Precautions 76


Biopsy/Histopathology 77


Polymerase Chain Reaction Test 77


Treatment 77


Topical Therapy 78


Systemic Antifungals 79


Environment 80


Client Education 80


Conclusion 81


References 84


Recommended Reading 84


Recommended Fungal Identification References 84


Section III Allergic Skin Diseases 85


6 Flea Allergy Dermatitis 87
Missy Streicher


Introduction 87


Clinical Features 89


Diagnostic Tests 91


Treatment 92


Client Education 95


Conclusion 100


References 100


Webliography 101


7 Atopic Dermatitis 103
Amanda Friedeck


Introduction 103


Pathogenesis 103


Clinical Features (Canine) 104


Clinical Features (Feline) 107


Diagnostic Tests 108


Treatment 111


Client Education 116


Conclusion 117


References 117


8 Food Hypersensitivity 121
Shelley Shopsowitz


Introduction 121


Pathogenesis 121


Clinical Features 122


Diagnostic Tests 123


Choosing an Elimination Diet 124


Performing the Diet Trial 125


Dietary Challenge 125


Treatment 125


Client Education 125


Conclusion 128


References 128


Section IV Parasitic Skin Diseases 129


9 Sarcoptic Mange 131
Stephanie B. Duggan


Introduction 131


Pathogenesis 131


Clinical Features 132


Diagnostic Tests 133


Treatment 135


Client Education 137


Conclusion 138


References 138


10 Cheyletiellosis 139
Jennie Tait


Introduction 139


Pathogenesis 139


Clinical Features 139


Diagnostic Tests 142


Treatment 142


Client Education 145


Conclusion 145


References 145


11 Canine Demodicosis 147
Kim Horne


Introduction 147


Clinical Features 149


Diagnostic Tests 150


Treatment 152


Localized Demodicosis 152


Generalized Demodicosis 152


Amitraz 152


Macrocyclic Lactones 153


Isoxazolines 154


Adjunctive Therapy 155


Patient Monitoring 155


Client Education 156


Conclusion 156


References 156


Webliography 157


12 Feline Demodicosis 159
Kim Horne


Introduction 159


Follicular Demodicosis (D. cati) 159


Clinical Features 159


Diagnostic Tests 160


Treatment 160


Superficial/Surface Demodicosis (D. gatoi) 161


Clinical Features 161


Diagnostic Tests 162


Treatment 162


Client Education 162


Conclusion 163


References 163


Glossary of Terms 165


Index 171