ACVD Veterinary Dermatology flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Sarcoptes scabiei

A superficial burrowing mite causing intensely pruritic sarcoptic mange in dogs; diagnosis by skin scraping or pinnal-pedal reflex; treated with macrocyclic lactones or isoxazolines.

Demodex canis

A follicular mite normally commensal in dogs; overpopulation causes demodicosis, often signaling immunosuppression or endocrinopathy; treated with isoxazolines or imidacloprid/moxidectin.

Microsporum canis

Most common dermatophyte in cats; causes circular alopecic lesions; some strains fluoresce apple-green under Wood's lamp; fungal culture confirms diagnosis.

Malassezia dermatitis

Yeast overgrowth on skin; cytology reveals peanut-shaped budding yeasts; pruritic, erythematous, often greasy; treated with topical miconazole/chlorhexidine and underlying cause control.

Canine atopic dermatitis

A genetically predisposed, allergic skin disease with characteristic distribution and pruritus; diagnosed clinically; allergen testing guides immunotherapy but does not diagnose allergy.

Bacterial folliculitis

Superficial staphylococcal infection of hair follicles producing papules, pustules, and epidermal collarettes; treated with systemic antibiotics based on culture and topical therapy.

Otitis externa cytology

Microscopic examination of ear swab identifying cocci, rods, or yeast; guides selection of antimicrobial and antifungal otic preparations for effective treatment.

Flea allergy dermatitis

Hypersensitivity to flea saliva causing pruritus and alopecia over caudal dorsum and tail base; treated with flea control and symptomatic anti-inflammatory therapy.

Isoxazoline class

Ectoparasiticides (afoxolaner, fluralaner, sarolaner) that inhibit insect GABA receptors; effective against fleas and ticks; used in dogs and cats per label.

Wood's lamp

Ultraviolet lamp used in dermatology; detects some Microsporum canis strains by apple-green fluorescence; negative result does not rule out dermatophytosis.

Epidermal collarette

Circular scaling rim of peeling stratum corneum; a classic sign of superficial bacterial folliculitis or resolving pyoderma; helps localize infection to follicular units.

Pinnal-pedal reflex

Scratching elicited by rubbing the pinna, causing hindlimb to scratch; supportive of sarcoptic mange in dogs but not specific; aids clinical diagnosis.

Cheyletiella mite

Surface mite causing walking dandruff; zoonotic; diagnosed by tape preparation or scraping; treated with isoxazolines or macrocyclic lactones and environmental control.

Feline eosinophilic granuloma

Inflammatory skin lesion complex in cats, often on lips or chin; associated with allergy or insect hypersensitivity; treated with glucocorticoids or cyclosporine.

Cyclosporine in atopy

Immunomodulator used for canine atopic dermatitis when glucocorticoids are contraindicated; monitor for infections and gastrointestinal effects; takes several weeks for effect.

Allergen immunotherapy

Desensitization using allergen extracts selected by testing; given over 12-18 months; response rate approximately 60-70% in atopic dogs; may reduce medication needs.

Dermatology history

Key elements include age of onset, seasonality, pruritus severity, lesion distribution, prior therapy response, and environmental exposures; guides differential diagnosis and testing.

Pruritus scale

Owner-assessed 0-10 itch score; a sudden increase often indicates secondary infection or flare; useful for monitoring treatment response over time.

Minimum dermatology database

Core diagnostic tests: skin scraping, cytology (tape/impression), fungal culture, and Wood's lamp; add biopsy for deep, nodular, or refractory lesions.

Glucocorticoid therapy

Anti-inflammatory doses suppress pruritus but may mask or worsen infection; taper when possible and monitor for iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and immunosuppression.

Antimicrobial stewardship

Use culture and susceptibility for recurrent or deep pyoderma; reserve systemic antibiotics for uncomplicated superficial infections; combine with topical therapy to reduce resistance.

Chlorhexidine shampoo

Topical antiseptic effective against bacteria and yeast; often combined with miconazole; used as adjunctive therapy for pyoderma and Malassezia dermatitis.

Zoonotic dermatoses

Dermatophytosis, sarcoptic mange, and Cheyletiella are transmissible to humans; owners should be counseled on hygiene and environmental decontamination.

Skin scraping technique

Scrape until capillary bleeding to collect follicular mites (Demodex, Sarcoptes); superficial scrapes suffice for surface mites; negative results do not exclude infestation.

Cytology tape preparation

Clear tape pressed to skin then stained and examined; identifies bacteria, yeast, and inflammatory cells; useful for superficial lesions and ear canal sampling.

Fungal culture

Gold-standard dermatophyte test using Sabouraud or dermatophyte media; identifies species and confirms diagnosis; results take 1-3 weeks; used when Wood's lamp is negative.

Endocrine alopecia

Hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism cause non-pruritic, symmetric alopecia; diagnosed via hormone testing; treat underlying endocrine disease to resolve skin signs.

Food elimination trial

Feeding a novel or hydrolyzed protein diet for 8 weeks with no other foods; used to diagnose cutaneous adverse food reaction; improvement followed by rechallenge confirms diagnosis.

Ectoparasite control

Environmental and host treatment targeting fleas, ticks, and mites; isoxazolines for fleas/ticks, macrocyclic lactones for mites; rotate based on efficacy and label.

Essential fatty acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 supplements supporting skin barrier and reducing inflammation; adjunctive for atopic dermatitis; may take 6-8 weeks for clinical effect.

Skin biopsy

Tissue sample for histopathology; indicated for nodular, deep, or refractory lesions; helps differentiate neoplasia, autoimmune disease, and deep infection.