Clinical Dermatology in various animals especially dogs

Answer 1

Dermatology:

Dermatological exam L1) Approach to Skin Disease

Skin function:

1) Protective barrier → avoid H2O, electrolyte + macromolecule loss / keep pathogens external

2) Immunoregulation → surveillance + response mediated by keratinocytes, Langerhans cells + lymphocytes

External agents → infectious (parasites, microbes) + environmental (solar, physical trauma)

Immune dysfunction → hypersensitivities (↑ reaction to external pathogens), auto-immune (↑ Aetiology reaction to internal pathogens) + sterile inflammation (excessive responses)

Skin structural changes → congenital dysplasia / degeneration + neoplasia

Systemic influences → endocrine, metabolic, nutritional + organ dysfunction (liver, GIT)

Major presenting complaints: pruritus, alopecia, ulceration / crusting, nodules

Pruritus:

a) Hypersensitivities (chronic, recurrent) → flea bite, atopic dermatitis, insect bite (equ), food, contact, mosquito

b) External parasites → mites, lice, helminths

c) Infectious microbes → bacteria (staph), Malassezia (2° invasion)

Therapeutic families to treat pruritic animals:

• Parasiticides

• Antibacterials

• Antifungals

• Skin moisturisers

• Anti-inflammatories = Glucocorticosteroids, specific T-lymphocyte inhibitors (cyclosporine), anti-histamines, Janus kinase inhibitor