Dermatology p1

Question 1

Dermatology defined

Answer 1

The study of skin

Question 2

Diseases of the skin may… (5)

Answer 2

1. Be aesthetically displeasing
2. Dramatically affect quality of life
3. Affect human-animal bond
4. Be contagious, zoonotic
5. Signal disease in other body regions

Question 3

Anatomy of the skin & hair follicle

Answer 3

Question 4

Epidermis
1. Made up of
2. Function (3)

Answer 4

1. Stratified squamous cells
   - No blood vessels, nerves, or glands
2. Function
   - Waterproof skin
   - Protection from chemicals & organisms
   - Melanocyte pigment (melanin) protects body from UV light

Question 5

Dermis
1. Made up of (2)
2. Function (2)

Answer 5

1. Fibroelastic framework (collagen)
   - Nerves & blood vessels present
2. Function
   - Thermoregulation (dilation of capillaries, sweat, “goosebumps”)
   - Sense of touch

Question 6

Subcutis
1. Made up of
2. Function (2)

Answer 6

1. Adipose & connective tissue
2. Function
   - Fat storage
   - Strength & elasticity of skin

Question 7

Glands function (3) (but elaborate on #1)

Answer 7

1. Sebum & Ianolin
   - Oils skin & fur
   - Elasticity
   - Waterproof
   - Micro-organism balance
2. Pheromones
   - Circumoral glands of cats
   - Perianal glands of dogs
3. Sweat

Question 8

Questions to ask for derm Hx collection (6)

Answer 8

1. Duration of problem?
   - Progressive? Intermittent?
2. Description of problem?
   - Pruritic? Flea control?
3. Other animals or humans with signs?
4. Other clinical signs?
   - Thirst? Appetite? Weight change?
5. Any therapies tried previously?
6. Breed?

Question 9

Skin exam (3)

Answer 9

Pattern of skin involvement!
1. Local vs General
2. Single vs Multiple
3. Nailbeds?

Question 10

Clinical signs of skin disease (4) (~10)

Answer 10

1. Abnormal hair growth
2. Abnormal skin color or texture
3. Abnormal skin features
   - Growths or cysts
   - Crusts or flakes
   - Wounds or scabs
   - Pustules or papules
   - Odors or exudates
4. Pain, pruritis (dry, allergy), hyperaesthesia (sensitive)

Question 11

Pustule, what is it?

Answer 11

Small, circumscribed area of epidermis filled with exudate
(neutrophils or eosinophils)

Question 12

Wheal, what is it? (3)

Answer 12

1. Sharply circumscribed, raised edematous SQ lesion.
2. May appear/disappear within min-hrs
3. Due to allergies, drug reaction, or other hypersensitivity

Question 13

Tumor, what is it? (2)

Answer 13

1. Mass involving skin or SQ tissue
2. Inflammatory or neoplastic cells

Question 14

Alopecia, what is it?

Answer 14

Partial to complete loss of hair

Question 15

Scale, what is it?

Answer 15

Accumulation of loose fragments of horny layer of skin
“Dandruff”

Question 16

Crust, what is it?

Answer 16

Adherence of dried exudate, serum, scales, blood, or medications to the skin surface

Question 17

Hyperpigmentation, what is it? (2)

Answer 17

1. Increase in epidermal or dermal melanin
2. Usually secondary to chronic inflammation

Question 18

Collarette, what is it? (2)

Answer 18

1. Epidermal scale arranged in a circle
2. Usually due to healing pustule

Question 19

Erosion, what is it? (2)

Answer 19

1. Shallow epidermal defect
2. Due to trauma or inflammation

Question 20

Skin cytology’s are used to evaluate…
Types (5)

Answer 20

Cell type or infectious organisms including bacteria, yeast, fungus, or mites.
1. Aspirate
2. Swab
3. Impression smear
4. Tape prep
5. Skin scraping

Question 21

KNOW:
- Impression smear
- Tape prep
- Skin scrapings
- DMT
- Fungal cultures
- Woods lamp
- Skin biopsy
- Skin punch

Question 22

Intradermal Skin Testing
Special consideration

Answer 22

All corticosteroid meds must be withdrawn 2-4 weeks prior to this test!

Question 23

How to do an Intradermal Skin Test (4)

Answer 23

1. Patient is shaved on body wall & a grid pattern drawn on
2. A different allergen in injected into the skin in each square
3. A skin reaction is read by DVM
4. Results are used to develop hyposensitization plan
   - ie “Allergy Shots”