Skin Conditions

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin - diagnosis.

• Describes skin condition until derm hx, clinical signs, physical exams can more precisely define the problem.

Causes for Dermatitis

Causes can include:

• Allergies

• Infection

• Parasites

• Trauma

• Irritants

• Burns

• Systematic Disease

Common Dermatological Problems In Small Animals

• Pruritus

• Alopecia

• Scaling & Crusting

• Nodules or Tumors

• Odor

• Otitis

• Erosions and ulcerations

• Nonhealing wounds

Alopecia

Loss of hair where it would normally be present.

It can be:

• Focal

• Multifocal

• Symmetrical

• Generalized

• Congenital

• Acquired

Causes of Alopecia

• Genetics

• Parasites

• Allergies

• Infection

• Self-trauma

• Endocrine disease

• Nutritional problems

• Other disorders

Congenital/Hereditary Alopecia

Caused by lack of hair follicle development; apparent at/soon after birth.

Tardive Alopecia

Born with normal coat, hair loss occurs at shedding of juvenile coat/becoming an adult.

Acquired Alopecia

Develops from disease that has destroyed the hair follicles or shaft, interferes with growth, causes the animal discomfort, leading to self-trauma and loss of hair.

Diagnosis of Alopecia

Diagnosis involves:

• Clinical exam

• Presence of pruritus

• diagnostic and lab testing

Treatment of Alopecia

• Antimicrobial treatment for bacterial + yeast overgrowth

• Parasite treatment

• Management of underlying allergic disease

• Endocrine hormone replacement/treatment

Pruritis

A clinical sign; itching

Causes of Pruritus

• Fleas

• Mites

• Infection

• allergy

• Dermatological problems

Diagnosis of Pruritus

• Dermatological testing

• Clues of triggers in physical exam

• Diagnostic testing for yeast, bacteria, and parasites

Treatment of Pruritus

• Topical therapy

• Antimicrobial, topical or systemic therapy

• Parasiticidal therapy

• Systemic antipruritic therapy

• Allergen-specific therapy