Flashcards in Skin and hair Deck (42)
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1
Why might a vet perform a dermatology exam?
Ecto-parasites
Skin lesions
Pruritis
Neoplasia
Chronic dermatitis
Erythema
2
Describe patient preparation for dermatology exams
Skin/hair ample should be performed prior to administration of drug therapy if possible
Ideally, patient should be 'drug free' for a 7-10 day period prior to sampling
Patients should be suitably restrained but handled by as few staff as possible
Patients skin should NOT be clipped, scrubbed or washed prior to obtaining sample
3
Consider healthy and safety for a dermatology exam
Potential risk of zoonosis and cross contamination so PPE very important- clients should also be aware
Equipment and surfaces thoroughly disinfected and sterilised after use and dispose of used single used equipment
4
Describe dermatitis
Reddening and swelling of the skin from direct irritation by an external agent or allergen
5
Describe lesions
Tissue abnormality commonly caused by disease or trauma
6
Describe a rash
Widespread eruption of lesions
7
Describe erythema
Reddening of the skin due to increased blood supply
8
Describe a skin cyst
A papule containing fluid of semi solid material e.g. epidermoid and pilar cysts
9
Describe pyoderma
Primary skin infection, commonly staphylococcal or streptococcal
10
Describe a papule
Small, palpable lesion, raised above the skin
11
Describe a pustule
Purulent vesicle (pus filled sac)
12
Describe plaque
Palpable, flat lesion, greater than 0.5mm in diameter
13
Describe atopy
Localised hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen
14
Describe lichenification
Seen with chronic atopy
15
Describe alopecia
Hair loss
16
Name skin sampling techniques
Skin scrapes
Hair brushing
Cytaneous cytology
-Tape impressions
-Hair plucks
-Swabs
Skin biopsy
17
What are the advantages of a skin scrape?
Quick and easy
Generally painless
Often examined in house
Minimal trauma
RVN can perform under vet instruction
Sedation not normally required
Allows examination of full thickness of epidermis and hair follicles
Used to detect cuticular and sub-cuticular parasites
18
Describe a superficial skin scrape?
When should you do one?
Superficial skin scrape that does not enter the epidermal layer of the skin
One every patient with scaly or pruritic skin
19
What may you find from a superficial skin scrape?
Sarcoptes scabeii
Cheyletiella sp.
Notoedres cati.
Dermatophyte spore infested hair shaft
Lice
20
Describe sarcoptes spp.
Intensley itchy, highly contagious and zoonotic mite is transmitted via direct contact
Lesions develop over ventral chest and abdomen, elbows, leg and ears
21
How else could you test for sarcoptes spp.?
Sarcoptes antibodies can be detected using ELISA technology
22
Describe a deep skin scrape
When should you do one?
Allows collection of sample from air follicle, results in light capillary ooze. Squeeze the skin prior to sampling
When should I do it?
Non-inflammatory and inflammatory alopecia
Pustules
Crusts
23
What might a deep skin scrape find?
Demodex sp.
24
How would you choose a sampling site for a deep skin scrape?
Head, eats and feet are commonly affected
Areas of erythematous skin
Papules, scales or crusts
Areas of alopecia
25
Describe demodex
A mite that often presents with hair loss beneath or around the eyes
In severe cases, the whole body is affected
Not pruritic but secondary pyoderma is
26
What are the advantages of hair brushing?
Quick and easy
No sedation required
Patient enjoys
Can be examined in house
RVN can perform under vet instruction
Non traumatic
Inexpensive
Allows collection of cutaneous parasites
27
When should you do a hair brushing sample?
Generally itchy patients
Patients with suspected flea infestation
Patients with excess scurf
28
What might a hair brushing sample find?
Ctenocephalides
Flea excrete/debris
Cheyletiella sp.
Dermatophytes
29
Describe the hair brush sampling technique
Put on gloves
Stand the animal over white background i.e. white paper or tissue and restrain properly
Brush coat with fine toothed comb to collect debris
Place sample collected on the comb and any collected on the paper into a labelled, sterile container
Wetting black particles may indicate the presence of fleas if the dampened particle leaves a red mark on the paper
30
