Special Species Dermatology Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is the approach to diagnosing skin disease in a special species?
Observe animal in its container first whilst taking history and then perform a full clinical examination
What types of skin diseases can affect exotics?
Ectoparasites, bacterial/fungal/viral, neoplastic, hormonal, nutritional, behavioural and those due to husbandry practices
When are zoonoses likely to be a risk in exotics?
Handling of small furies especially by children
Cleaning out of tanks/equipment of reptiles and fish
Wide dispersal of pathogens in faeces of birds
What husbandry considerations should be taken into account with rabbits?
May not like being picked up
Natural diet is fibre rich
Physiological normal behaviours include coprophagy of caecotrophs, barbering, nesting behaviour using own hair, patchy alopecia during moult
What key points need to be remembered with rabbits?
Always include a dental examination
Frontline is contraindicated and can result in death
Pain relief is important in many cases
What ectoparasite infections do rabbits suffer from?
Cheyletiellosis - scaling, crusting, pruritis, erythema, alopecia mainly on dorsum
Leporacarus gibbus - fur mite
Psoroptes cuniculi
What is the treatment for ectoparasite infections of rabbits?
Ivermectin at 300-400ug/kg SC weekly for 3 weeks
Selamectin/imidacloprid
Treat environment
Don’t remove crusts caused by ear mites as painful
What bacterial skin infections do rabbits contract?
Facial dermatitis due to dental disease
Perineal due to no coprophagia/urine contamination
Facial abscesses typically Pasteurella multocida
Pododermatitis (bumble foot) often Staph aureus caused by obesity and caging
How are bacterial skin infections treated in rabbits?
Antibiotics but beta-lactams contraindicated and generally use Baytril
What are the characteristics of dermatophytosis in rabbits?
Similar to other small mammals
Scaling, round areas of alopecia, broken off hairs, erythema, crusting, pruritis
Typically starts on dorsal nose, ears and paws
What is the therapy for dermatophytosis in rabbits?
Eniconazole dip twice weekly
Itraconazole 5mg/kg orally
Clean environment with bleach
How does myxomatosis affect the skin of rabbits?
Less virulent strains and vaccinated animals get nodules, erythematous plaques +/- ulcerations
What is the therapy for myxomatosis affecting the skin of rabbits?
Supportive and flea prophylaxis
What is the pathogenesis of myasis in rabbits?
Fly eggs around perineum leads to maggots within hours especially in outdoor rabbits in summer with weak, old, obese, long-haired animals predisposed
What is the therapy for myasis in rabbits?
Clip, clean, flush
Fluids, ivermectin, antibiotics, analgesia
How can myasis be prevented in rabbits?
Good health and husbandry with high fibre diet and dental care
Fly control and cyromazine (Rear guard)
What are the key husbandry points of guinea pigs?
Related to chinchilla
May scream when handled/injected/scraped
Require dietary vitamin C and all animals with skin disease should receive 50-100mg Vit C per day
What ectoparasites do guinea pigs get?
Chewing lice
Fur mites
Surface parasites with variable pruritis
What is the therapy for ectoparasites in guinea pigs?
Fipronil spray
Selamectin spot on
What is Trixacarus caviae?
Burrowing mites of guinea pigs and can cause intense pruritis
Care when handling as convulsions and death can result
What is the treatment for Trixacarus caviae infestation in guinea pigs?
Ivermectin injection once every 10 days for 3 treatments
Selamectin spot on
Vitamin C
What endocrinopathies do guinea pigs get that effect the skin?
Ovarian cysts cause non-inflammatory bilateral symmetrical alopecia typically starting on flanks
What is the therapy for ovarian cysts in the guinea pig?
Surgery
What miscellaneous skin diseases do guinea pigs get?
Pododermatitis
Lip fold dermatitis
Neoplasia
