Crusting disease Flashcards
define crust
dried exudate, containing blood/serum/scales/pus (colloquially a ‘scab’)
Describe how to approach investigation of crust
rule out ectoparasites
rule out microbial infections
Then further investigations if lesions remain, especially biopsy
when is biopsy if crust most diagnostic
if secondary infections cleared first
when biopsing- DON’T dislodge the crust
Dog - pinnal margin crusting
Highly pruritic
+ve pinnal-pedal reflex
Most likley cause
Sarcoptic mange
3yo cat – self trauma to head
Most likely diagnosis
FASS/FFA
8yo GSD
6-month history of nasal depigmentation/ulceration
MOst likely diagnosis
Facial DLE/ mucocutaneous pyoderma
what cytology is very suggestive of pemphigus
Acantholytic keratinocytes (large ‘fried-egg’ cells, sometimes in rafts) + neutrophils
- under crust
Describe the signalment of canine pemphigus foliaceus
Middle aged to older dogs (but can occur at any age)
?male > female
Strong breed predisposition
Is the most common autoimmune skin disease in dog
Describe the pustules seen with pemphigus foliaceus
Often larger and with erythematous margins
Distribution – often includes face/pinnae/footpads - most important to tell it apart from other disease
Lesions bilaterally symmetrical
can only see the crust in most cases
when should you think pemiphigus foliaceus as diagnosis
bilaterally symetrical crusting
commonly lesions on head/pinnae
pyoderma that is unresponsive to rational treatment
Treatment of pemphigus
Immunosuppressive doses of systemic GCC- then taper slowly to lowest effective maintenance dose
can add in adjunctive immunosuppressive agents
prognosis- often poor due to adverse effects of treatment
what is Canine juvenile sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis also known as
juvenile cellulitis
puppy strangles
what do you see with puppy strangles
Acute onset swelling of muzzle, lips, eyelids, pinnae
Marked submandibular lymphadenopathy
Pyrexia, depression, anorexia
- usually in puppies but occasionally adults
diagnosis of puppy strangles
- signalment, CS, history- very suggestive
- rule out other conditions that can cause cellulitits (demodex, bacterial pyoderma, dermatophytosis)
- Biopsy confirmatory
Treatment of puppy strangles
Prednisolone (immunosuppressive doses)
warm soaks, topical washes
ABs not needed unless secondary infection
