Integument

How much of a cat's body weight can skin make up?

Up to 1/4 of its body weight

What are the layers of the skin?

Subcutis (innermost), Epidermis (outermost), Dermis (supportive layer)

What are the appendages of the skin?

Claws, hair-raising arrector pili, and sebaceous glands

What do sebaceous glands do?

Lubricate the skin and hair

What causes Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis)?

Mites live on the surface of the skin in the external ear canal, feeding on epidermal debris

What are clinical signs of Ear Mites?

Ear canals filled with brown-black crusty exudate; extreme irritation causing scratching; scrapes on face or head

How are Ear Mites diagnosed?

Large white adult mites seen crawling on crusty exudate under otoscope; adult mites and eggs seen on microscopic examination of smear

What is the treatment for Ear Mites?

Carefully clean exudate from ear canal and apply miticide

What is the off-label dose of Ivermectin for Ear Mites?

300 mcg/kg subcutaneously or orally, repeat in 14 days

How long must Ear Mite treatment be continued?

No less than 30 days (life cycle is 3 weeks; eggs hatch every 10 days)

Are Ear Mites contagious?

Yes, highly contagious; all animals with contact should be treated

Can humans get Ear Mites?

Humans do not become infested in most cases

Where may Ear Mites spend time on a cat's body?

Especially on a cat's tail

What causes Flea-induced Dermatitis?

Fleas (Ctenocephalides Sp.) are blood-sucking ectoparasites; flea saliva is highly antigenic

What are clinical signs of Flea-induced Dermatitis?

Continual scratching or biting skin; tail-head area and inner thigh affected; red, inflamed, crusted; small scabs covering dorsum in cats (miliary dermatitis)

What are small pepperlike granules on skin and hair coat?

Dried flea excrement containing blood products; give off red color on white paper with alcohol or water

How are Fleas diagnosed?

Finding fleas on the animal, finding flea dirt, finding lesions consistent with flea infestation

What are flea products categorized as?

Topical (sprays, dips, powders, shampoos) and systemic (spot-ons, oral, injectable)

What is essential in preventing flea infestation?

Treatment of the environment (fleas spend most of life cycle off the host)

If one animal in the house has fleas, what does that mean?

All the other animals have fleas too

What are Ticks?

Ixodes Spp. and Argasid Spp.; blood-sucking arthropod parasites; not host specific

When are ticks commonly seen?

Outdoor dogs and cats, especially during summer months

What may heavy tick infestation produce?

Anemia in the host

What are the means by which ticks injure animals?

Irritation of bite, vectors of disease, neurotoxin in saliva (tick paralysis)

What is Tick Paralysis?

An ascending, flaccid paralysis of dogs caused by neurotoxin in saliva of 12 different Ixodes species

What are clinical signs of Tick Infestation?

Owner reports tick or lump attached; weakness or pale mucous membranes; ascending flaccid paralysis; arthritis-like symptoms (Lyme Disease)

What is the definitive diagnosis for Tick Infestation?

Finding a tick on the animal

How are ticks manually removed?

Soak tick in alcohol; firmly grasp head part using curved mosquito hemostat; pull to remove

What products are used for tick treatment?

Paramite Dip, Pyrethrin Dip, Durakyl Pet Dip, Adams Flea and Tick Dust, VIP Flea and Tick Powder, Adams Flea and Tick Mist

What is the only collar effective against ticks?

Preventic collar (Virbac)

What spot-on products are effective against fleas and ticks?

Frontline, Advantix, Revolution, Frontline Top Spot, Frontline Plus, Vectra

What environmental treatments kill ticks?

Adams Home and Kennel Spray, Vet-Fog Fogger, Siphotrol Plus Fogger, Permectrin Pet Yard and Kennel Spray

How can tick population in the environment be decreased?

Removing brush, limiting rodent populations, keeping grassy areas cut

Where should ticks be checked for on animals?

Around the ears and between the toes

What should NOT be used to remove ticks?

Gasoline, kerosene, or lighted cigarettes

Should you use bare hands to remove ticks?

No

Do ticks feed on humans?

Yes, they are not species specific

What are Lice?

Host-specific parasites that spend all their lives on that host

What kind of animals are lice found on?

Debilitated, dirty, ill-kept animals; disease of neglect

What are clinical signs of Lice infestation?

Ill-tempered, agitated, intense itching, anemia from blood-sucking lice

How are Lice diagnosed?

Presence of lice or nits on the hair coat

How are Lice treated?

Treat all animals with insecticide dip, shampoo, or dust; clip all hair; wash bedding and grooming tools

Can humans get lice from pets?

No

Can pets get lice from humans?

No

What are the three primary diseases called "mange" in dogs and cats?

(1) Demodectic mange, (2) Sarcoptic mange, (3) Notoedric mange

What is Demodectic Mange?

Demodex spp., a cigar-shaped mite, lives within hair follicles; immune system keeps mites in check; excessive mites cause disease

What are the two forms of Demodectic Mange?

(1) Localized (more common), (2) Generalized (more severe, less common)

What are clinical signs of Generalized Demodex?

Animals usually febrile; entire body surface involved; secondary bacterial skin infections with pustules

How is Demodex diagnosed?

Mite identification through skin scrapings; place mineral oil on lesion, firmly scrape while squeezing skin, examine under microscope

What is the treatment for Localized Demodex?

Rotenone (Goodwinol Ointment or Canex) applied to lesions daily

What is the treatment for Generalized Demodex?

Mitaban dips (Amitraz): clip dog, bathe in mild soap, towel dry, treat with dip at proper dilution, do not rinse or towel dry; 3-6 treatments 14 days apart

What is the off-label Ivermectin dose for Demodex?

0.3 mg/kg SQ or PO, repeat in 14 days

What is the Interceptor protocol for Demodex?

Administer monthly for a minimum of 90 days

Is Demodex contagious to humans and other animals?

No

Will treatment ever completely remove Demodex mites from the skin?

No; goal is to reduce number and improve general health

Should previously infected animals be used in breeding programs?

No

What is Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies)?

Intensely pruritic, contagious disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis; female mite burrows into epidermis and lays eggs

What are clinical signs of Scabies?

Typical red, crusty lesions on ears, elbows, and trunk; intensely pruritic; distinguishes it from demodex

How is Scabies diagnosed?

Identification of mite through skin scrapings (deep scrapings needed); multiple scrapings may be necessary

What is the treatment for Scabies?

Paramite Dip every 14 days until clinical signs resolve; Ivermectin SQ or PO repeat in 14 days (off-label); Paramite Dust (not for puppies

Is Scabies contagious among dogs?

Yes, highly contagious

Can humans get Scabies from dogs?

Humans frequently develop small red papules; mites do not remain on humans for longer than a few hours

What is Cuterebra "Warbles"?

Cuterebra fly lays eggs in soil; larvae (grub) directly penetrate host skin

What animals are usually affected by Cuterebra?

Young puppies, kittens, and rabbits

What are clinical signs of Cuterebra?

Large swelling behind ears, on neck, or around face; swelling has opening (fistula) through which larva can be seen

How is Cuterebra treated?

Incise fistula opening; carefully remove intact larva with curved mosquito hemostat; avoid crushing or tearing larva; flush wound; give oral/topical antibiotics

Why should larva not be crushed when removing Cuterebra?

Release of larva protein can cause allergic reactions in the host

What is Myiasis?

Adult dipterous flies deposit eggs on wet, warm, or damaged skin; eggs hatch into maggots producing punched-out areas in skin

What are clinical signs of Myiasis?

Matted hair, bad odor, painful reaction; maggots found on physical examination

How is Myiasis treated?

Clip hair from lesions; flush with copious water; manually remove larvae; daily wound cleaning; oral antibiotics (Keflex, Cephalexin, Triple sulfas)

What is Myiasis considered?

A disease of neglect

What should be done to prevent Myiasis?

Check outdoor pets frequently; clip heavy-coated animals during summer; keep pets indoors during peak fly hours; keep outdoor environment clean

What is Superficial Dermatomycosis?

Fungal infection (dermatophyte) penetrates skin and proliferates on surface of hair shaft

What three species of fungi typically cause dermatomycosis?

Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton

What are clinical signs of Microsporum Infection (Ringworm)?

Rapidly growing circular patch of alopecia; red, raised, crusty areas; lesions on face and head; broken hairs

How is Ringworm diagnosed?

Wood's light examination (approximately 50% of M. canis fluoresce); KOH slide preparation with 10% KOH

What is the treatment for Localized Ringworm?

Clip affected areas; treat twice daily with topical antifungal (Miconazole nitrate, Lotrimin, Clotrimazole, Dilute Clorox Solution); continue 2 weeks after lesions clear

What is the treatment for Generalized Ringworm?

Clip entire coat; bathe with medicated shampoo (Nolvasan); treat entire body with antifungal 1-2 times weekly until cultures negative (4-16+ weeks)

What oral antifungals are used for Ringworm?

Griseofulvin (PO daily, contraindicated in pregnancy); Ketoconazole (PO every 12-24 hours with food)

What are side effects of Ketoconazole?

Depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, increased ALT, jaundice

How long do fungal hairs remain infective on shed hairs?

As long as 18 months

Is M. canis contagious?

Yes, through contact with the organism

What is Pyoderma?

Bacterial infections involving the skin; may be primary or secondary, superficial or deep

What are examples of Superficial Pyodermas?

Acute moist dermatitis (hot spots), Impetigo, Acne, Skinfold pyodermas

What is Acute Moist Dermatitis?

Occurs secondary to skin trauma (usually self-inflicted); red, moist, hot, painful areas; common in heavy-coated breeds

What are clinical signs of Acute Moist Dermatitis?

Rapid appearance of red, hot, moist, painful patches; hair loss; pruritus

How is Acute Moist Dermatitis treated?

Clip hair from lesions; gently cleanse with medicated shampoo; apply topical medication twice daily; treat underlying disease; cortisone and systemic antibiotics (Prednisone, Cephalexin, Enrofloxacin, Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid)

What is Feline Acne?

Clinically significant, often chronic problem; can occur in cats of all ages

What are clinical signs of Feline Acne?

Swollen, painful chin; dark spots on chin (comedones/blackheads); severely affected may be febrile

How is Feline Acne diagnosed?

Characteristic appearance; rule out other skin infections (bite abscess)

How is Feline Acne treated?

Gently clip hair on chin; cleanse with antibacterial soap; extract large comedones under sedation; clean daily with human acne product (Stridex pads); systemic antibiotics for 14-21 days

What are Skin Tumors?

Tumors can be benign or malignant, localized or invasive; malignant tumors metastasize and are invasive

When do most skin tumors occur in cats?

Older cats (>4 years)

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

A common tumor of adult animals; single, discrete, round, firm, often ulcerated lesion; most common on head, ears, lips, neck, legs; slow growing

How is Basal Cell Carcinoma diagnosed?

Biopsy

How is Basal Cell Carcinoma treated?

Wide surgical excision

Do Basal Cell Carcinomas metastasize?

Rarely

What are Feline Fibrosarcomas (Vaccine-induced)?

Rapidly developing, highly invasive, malignant tumors at site of vaccination, usually within 4-6 weeks after vaccine

What is the recommendation for vaccine administration in cats?

Use single-dose vaccines; never vaccinate between shoulder blades; rabies vaccine low on right rear leg; distemper combinations on right shoulder

When should a swelling after vaccination be removed?

Any swelling not resolved within 6 weeks should be removed by radical surgical excision