Basics of dermatology

Question 1

If you have a skin condition alongside a change in appetite or thirst what could this indicate?

Answer 1

Endocrine issues

Question 2

What should you test for in a dog with skin issues and exercise intolerance?

Answer 2

Hypothyroidism

Question 3

What is the most likely cause of skin issues if there are also gastrointestinal issues?

Answer 3

Food allergies

Question 4

What can solensia in cats cause (dermatology)?

Answer 4

Pruritus

Question 5

What are the 4 zoonotic skin conditions?

Answer 5

Ringworm
Fleas
Scabies (sarcoptes)
Cheyletiella

Question 6

What should you consider if owners work in medical field?

Answer 6

MRSA

Question 7

What question should you ask to help control environmental allergies?

Answer 7

Where does the animal sleep? - highest concentration of dust mites is in bedroom

Question 7

Which lymph nodes can be increased in pruritic patients?

Answer 7

All but especially popliteal

Question 7

If an animal is in contact with foxes what should you consider?

Answer 7

Fox mange (scabies)

Question 9

What are the main primary skin lesions?

Answer 9

Erythema
Papules and pustules

Question 10

What are the main secondary skin lesions?

Answer 10

Epidermal collarettes (superficial pyoderma)
Crusting - dried cells and exudate
Scale - dryness
Hyperpigmentation

Question 10

How to do a coat brush?

Answer 10

rub the animal to release the dirt on the table then scrape together, remove bulk of the hair and tape the scurf on a slide without stain.

Question 10

What does cheyletiella look like under microscope?

Answer 10

mite with a waist and clawed mouth

Question 10

How to perform a hair pluck/ skin scrape?

Answer 10

Put drop of paraffin on slide. Pluck hair with foreceps from edge of lesion or scrape skin and place on slide with roots in same direction. Add cover slip.

Question 11

What can you see from a hair pluck?

Answer 11

Demodex
Anagen roots- hair is growing
Dermatophytosis - round spores near hair root
Follicular casts - indicate root pathology

Question 12

An animal presents for the first time with pruritus/ erythema. What are the steps to take during the first appointment?

Answer 12

1. Coat brushing +/- hair pluck
2. Tape strip or impression smears

Question 13

Can pyoderma be primary?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

What should the first step of treatment be?

Answer 14

Treat with something that covers for sarcoptes and demodex.
Cover for any secondary pyoderma

Question 15

When should you perform culture and sensitivity testing?

Answer 15

Recurrent infections
Rods seen

Question 16

What is a common example of surface pyoderma in dogs?

Answer 16

Hot spots
Skin fold dermatitis

Question 17

What does superficial pyoderma often look like?

Answer 17

Epidermal collarettes, red papular rash +/- circular alopecia in short haired dogs

Question 18

What is a sign of deep pyoderma in cats?

Answer 18

Chin acne/ fat chin

Question 19

What are interdigital cysts a form of?

Answer 19

Deep pyoderma

Question 20

A cat is seen with patchy alopecia but isn't red. What should you do and what could it be?

Answer 20

Tape strip Malassezia dermatitis (can look round as can get malassezia globosa)

Question 21

What is the best way to test for dermatophytosis?

Answer 21

McKenzie toothbrush

Question 22

Eosinophils are seen on a cytology sample from a cat, what does this indicate?

Answer 22

Eosinophilic granuloma complex - always treat

Question 23

Once you have treated for parasites and secondary infections, what is the next step in working up a dermatology case?

Answer 23

6-8 week strict diet trial (preds or apoquel for first 4 weeks)

Question 24

What novel proteins are often used for a diet trial?

Answer 24

Rabbit, quorn, goat, ostritch (all + potato)

Question 25

What are some good options for a limited antigen diet?

Answer 25

JR single protein pate, Just Six fish, eukanuba monoprotein

Question 25

What are the 3 main options for hydrolysed diets?

Answer 25

Purina HA (wet or dry) Royal canine hypoallergenic DECHRA

Question 26

When should you take biopsies?

Answer 26

Strange lesions not improving on normal protocol Nodules and ulcers Severe alopecia with no other signs

Question 26

What can owners give for treats to dogs on diet trial or that are food allergic?

Answer 26

Banana Peanut butter JR single protein pate Wet purina HA Quorn sausage

Question 27

When you diagnose atopic dermatitis what should you always recommend?

Answer 27

Allergy testing for allergen avoidance or immunotherapy

Question 31

What should you consider in an entire male dog with a belly rash?

Answer 31

Testicular neoplasia

Question 32

An entire female gets flare ups of a skin condition every time she is in season, what should you consider?

Answer 32

Demodicosis

Question 33

In older dogs with no prior history of skin disease what are the most common causes?

Answer 33

Hypothyroidism Neoplasia

Question 34

Best protocol to treat superficial pyoderma (hot spots/ skin fold)?

Answer 34

- Sedation, clip area and clean with chlorhexdine including satellite lesions - Fusileve twice daily +/- contego spray three times daily - Prednisolone - If temperature then 10 day course antibiotic

Question 35

What is the best protocol to treat superficial pyoderma?

Answer 35

2-3 week course abx 2x weekly bathing with chlorexyderm shampoo Medicated foam daily or spray Steroids Pardale

Question 36

What is the best way to treat deep pyoderma and interdigital cysts in dogs?

Answer 36

4-6 weeks abx based on C+S Fusileve or contego spray Steroids Pardale +/- phovia light therapy +/- surgery to remove affected hair follicles for recurrent ID cysts or podoplasty

Question 37

What is the best protocol to deal with malassezia dermatitis?

Answer 37

Topical chlorhexidine Malaseb Systemic itraconazole 5mg/kg SID 3 weeks in extreme cases or if near eyes/mouth off license

Question 38

What steroid dose to give to dogs with a skin/ear flare up?

Answer 38

0.5mg/kg for 7 days no taper needed

Question 39

What is a good alternative to prednisolone in dogs that get PU/PD?

Answer 39

Medrone - 0.4mg/kg 7 days

Question 40

What skin condition can be caused from long term steroid use?

Answer 40

Calcinosis cutis

Question 41

What is the best protocol for calcniosis cutis?

Answer 41

Biopsy for C+S Contego spray daily systemic antibiotics based on C+S

Question 42

For localised inflammation what steroid spray can be used at what dose?

Answer 42

Dermanolon - 1 spray per 1.5kg for 10-14 days. Can be used with oral steroids

Question 43

How long does ciclosporin take to work?

Answer 43

8 weeks - use preds for first 3-4 weeks

Question 44

What are common side effects of ciclosporin?

Answer 44

Transient V+D Gingival hyperplasia Hair growth

Question 45

When shouldn't apoquel be used?

Answer 45

Under 12 months Chronic otitis Pododermatitis

Question 46

How often should bloods be taken when on apoquel and why?

Answer 46

6 monthly Leukopenia and neutropenia. Possibly accelerate cancer growth

Question 47

Why shouldn't you use apoquel and cytopoint together?

Answer 47

Work on same channels - waste of money

Question 48

What is miliary dermatitis in cats?

Answer 48

Scabbing on body and face - often can't see it but can feel it.

Question 49

What is the best steroid option for cats?

Answer 49

BOVA liquid chicken flavoured prednisolone 1-1.5mg/kg for 3-4 weeks then taper to EOD - lowest effective EOD dose as less side effects Bloods every 6 months

Question 50

What are the risks of giving cyclosporin in cats?

Answer 50

Toxoplasma - severe illness Doesn't taste nice

Question 51

Which antihistamine to give to cats?

Answer 51

Cetirizine 5mg per cat SID

Question 52

When is the best time to perform allergy testing?

Answer 52

2 weeks into a flare up Over 1 year old

Question 53

Which allergy profile is best to do?

Answer 53

Complete environmental test (trees, grass, weeds, mites, insects, mould, dander, bee and wasp venom)

Question 54

Which medication needs to be withdrawn before allergy testing?

Answer 54

Long term high dose steroids - withdraw 28 days before

Question 55

On cytology of an itchy dog/cat you see a heavy growth of cocci and yeast. What topical do you use?

Answer 55

Peptivet shampoo twice weekly and foam daily

Question 56

A dog presents with surface pyoderma. What topical do you use?

Answer 56

Chlorexyderm (spot on, spray, foam, wipes)

Question 57

In an animal with a greasy coat, what topical should you use?

Answer 57

Zincoseb shampoo and spray. 5 minute contact time

Question 58

What spray can be used in the environment to control dust allergies?

Answer 58

Allergone - lasts 5 months