The Wood's lamp versus M. CanisJanuary 18, 2023There were only a few percentages we were told to "memorize for boards" in veterinary school, a dozen years ago now. These included odds of malignancy in dog/cat mammary masses (50 percent/90 percent); canine splenic mass diagnoses (33 percent hematoma/hemangioma/ hemangiosarcoma); failure rates of TPLO versus TPP versus. lateral band in canine cruciate disease (now debunked); and, in dermatology, the sensitivity of the Wood's lamp in diagnosing dermatophytosis: less than 50 percent. Where did "50 percent" come from, and why has it been lodged so firmly in our heads? So firmly that I recently ran across this same number in the crisp 2022 edition of a small animal textbook. That number is wrong, and my veterinary friends, colleagues, students still quote it. It is also possible the first percentages quoted here need updating—they probably do (See: "When in doubt cut it out! But by how much?" by Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMA on VPN Plus+). A closer look at M. canis Dermatophytosis in small animals is generally caused by one of three fungal organisms: Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. M. canis is the only one of these that produces pteridine …
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The pros and cons of food allergy testingDecember 12, 2022Cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFR), also known as food allergies, are an immunological reaction to food allergens. CAFR is thought to affect about 20 percent of dogs, and up to 13 percent of cats with allergic skin disease.
Getting to the root of nutritional allergiesSeptember 27, 2022It is very common for pet owners to believe their itchy pet has a "food allergy." While cutaneous adverse food reactions (cAFR) are certainly not rare, when it comes to pruritic pets, atopic dermatitis (AD) is actually more prevalent than cAFR. Sadly, however, a physical exam is insufficient to distinguish atopic disease from a food-associated dermatopathy.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveCytology for TechniciansAugust 11, 2022In this session: Juliann London, AAS, RVT, VTS (dermatology) discusses why cytologies are important in dermatology, covers the parts of a microscope, how to perform cytologies, and microscopic identification for technicians.
A closer look at the benefits of cytologyMay 26, 2022When general practitioners encounter a lump or bump to diagnose, they usually harken back to phrases they heard in veterinary school such as, “tape, scrape, and DTM,” or “if it looks like ringworm, it’s probably staph,” or “garbage in, garbage out.”
Debunking allergy testing mythsMay 26, 2022Although there have been many advancements in therapeutic options for atopic dermatitis over the last 10 years, allergy testing and allergy-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) still remains one of the safest long-term treatment options available.
5 Questions With… Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, star of Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. JoyaApril 19, 2022Veterinary Practice News recently caught up with Dr. Joya to learn more about her television journey and scratch the surface of veterinary dermatology.
Elanco closes $444M purchase of biopharma co.August 31, 2021Elanco Animal Health has expanded its reach into the veterinary dermatology market with the $444-million acquisition of biopharma company, Kindred Biosciences.
Nutritional influences in dermatological disordersAugust 10, 2021The skin is an important immune organ with functions including a barrier against foreign antigens, immunoregulation, vitamin D production, thermoregulation, nutrient storage, sensory perception, reproduction, and antimicrobial action.
Diagnosing and treating alopecia in dogsJune 1, 2021When a dog has an alopecic area, either the hair is not re-growing due to a hair cycle issue (lesions are symmetrical, large areas, and not itchy), or the hair is falling out due to folliculitis: staphylococcus, demodicosis, dermatophytosis, atopic dermatitis, or other causes.
