Self Trauma Flashcards
How can the “problem” of skin manipulating behaviour be defined?
- new
- freq
- duration
- disruption of other behaviour (feeding, walk etc.)
- tissue damage
potential signs of pruritis?
- scratching
- licking
- gnawing
- nibbling.biting
- rolling
- cleaning
- scooting
- head shaking
- grumpiness
Do normal cats groom in the consult room?
NO too stressful!
What may be noted on clinical assessment that indicates pruritis?
- self trauma
- behaviours
- reflexes (tickly spot)
- hair dmaage (esp. cats)
How can self trauma problems be REFINED?
> system
- skin (pruritis? pain?)
- neuro (pruritis? pain? compulsive?)
- behavioural
What neuro disease is seen in springer spaniels?
- loss of pain perception -> self trauma
Is pruritis a clinical sign?
NO symptom
Where are itch receptors located? What usually stimulates these?
Dermo-epidermal junction/basal epidermis (superficial)
- pruritogenic substances, usually inflammatory
- if deep layers affected usually manifests as pain
Other than inflammation what may cause pruritis?
- inflam cell neoplasia
- dry skin -> epidermal micro-fissures
- exacerbatino by irritant factors (high temp/humidity/fabrics)
Why may scratching only be seen sporadically?
- level of pruritis changes over time, will only be acted on above threshold
- threshold changes over time, depending on
- multiple causes may sum to push animal over threshold (treat one, may improve but hasnt solved)
What are the 3 most common causes of pruritic skin disease?
- Parasitic disease
- surface mites (cheyletiella)
- burowing mites (sarcoptes)
- trombicula
- follicular mites - microbial infection/overgrowth
- staph -> pyoderma
- malasezia
- dermatophytes - Allergy [always rule out parasitic/bacterial causes first]
- insect bite hypersensitivity
- atopic dermatitis
- food hypersesitivty
- contact dermatitis not really seen in animals due to fur
Which less common diseases may cause pruritic skin disease?
- cornification/metabolic disease
- neoplasia (epitheliotropic lymphoma/MCT)
- drug eruption
- NB: 2* bacterial infection can cause pruritis in non-pruritic skin diseases
What areas of the body are generally pruritic with atopic dermatitis or food allergy?
- face and ears
- flank
- rump
- feet
What areas are generally pruritic with scabies/mange?
- armpits, chest
- hocks
Top 6 causes of pruritis in dogs (not in order)
- Scabies or other mites
- Staph pyoderma
- Malasezia
- FAD
- Atopic dermatitis
- Food hypersensitivity
