Issues in Dermatology

Dermatophytoses have a variety of clinical presentations, and a step-by-step logical approach is crucial for proper diagnosis.

Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic but curable disease. Establishing whether a patient is completely cured should be supported by a combination of resolution of clinical signs and negative culture. 

Ear cytology is a quick way to confirm infection and the degree of inflammation for patients with suspected otitis externa.

Half the battle of treating otitis externa is figuring out the underlying cause and type. Once that is achieved, client education and compliance are key to managing it.

There are many differential diagnoses for pruritus in dogs, but following a few guidelines in the correct order can greatly facilitate the workup.

A pruritic work-up should include getting a thorough history, eliminating infectious or parasitic causes before leaping into an allergic skin disease assessment, and leaving atopic dermatitis as a last-resort diagnosis.

The workup of alopecia in cats involves a combination of thorough history, categorization, and use of targeted investigative techniques.

The workup of alopecia in cats involves a combination of thorough history, categorization, and use of targeted investigative techniques. Although there are a large number of differential diagnoses for feline alopecia, a very large proportion of these differentials can be identified or excluded by using a relatively small number of inexpensive, rapid, and easy diagnostic techniques. 

Veterinarians can help reduce antimicrobial resistance by taking a measured approach and reducing the use of antimicrobials, especially systemic antimicrobials.

Veterinarians can help reduce antimicrobial resistance by taking a measured approach and reducing the use of antimicrobials, especially systemic antimicrobials.