Neuber Ariane - Diagnostic Techniques in Veterinary Dermatology

This edition first published 2017

2017 Ariane Neuber and Tim Nuttall.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Neuber, Ariane, 1970- author. | Nuttall, Tim, 1967- author.

Title: Diagnostic techniques in veterinary dermatology : a manual of diagnostic techniques / Ariane Neuber, Tim Nuttall.

Description: Hoboken, NJ, USA : Wiley-Blackwell, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index. |

Identifiers: LCCN 2017005977 (print) | LCCN 2017015845 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119233046 (Adobe PDF) | ISBN 9781119233060 (ePub) | ISBN 9781405139489 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: Veterinary dermatology. | MESH: Skin Diseasesveterinary | Dog Diseasesdiagnosis | Cat Diseasesdiagnosis

Classification: LCC SF901 (ebook) | LCC SF901 .N48 2017 (print) | NLM SF 992.S55 | DDC 636.089/65dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017005977

Cover images: courtesy of the authors

Recent studies show that skin and ear diseases comprise 25% of all veterinary consultations. They are often complex and ongoing conditions that are a challenge to manage. Very few can be diagnosed on history and appearance alone. The modern approach to dermatology emphasises using the history and clinical signs to construct a logical differential diagnosis list. The diagnosis is then achieved by utilising appropriate tests to eliminate and/or confirm conditions in the differential diagnosis. On the other hand it is all too easy to become over-reliant on tests; it is most important that the clinical pathology is made to fit the history and clinical signs, not vice versa.

There is a very wide range of tests that can be used to investigate skin problems, but selecting, performing and interpreting the most appropriate tests in each case requires some experience. Many textbooks and journals, however, concentrate on individual skin conditions and assume that the reader is experienced enough to undertake the relevant diagnostic procedures. In practice, some of the most common reasons for poor management of skin conditions involve the inappropriate use of diagnostic tests, suboptimal execution of test procedures, inadequate sample choice and misinterpretation of results. The aim of this book, therefore, is to provide an illustrated, step-by-step guide to help you select, perform and interpret clinical tests and procedures for a range of dermatological presentations.

A wide range of equipment is necessary for thorough examination of the skin, which may seem daunting. The vast majority, however, are inexpensive, non-specialist items that are common to virtually all veterinary practices and do not need special skills to operate. The few items that are expensive and/or need specific training to use are all optional; they are undoubtedly useful, especially to dermatology specialists, but are not necessary to successfully practise veterinary dermatology.

• Good lighting is essential for proper examination of the skin, lesions and collected material. Good fluorescent room lighting is a minimal requirement and a high-intensity spotlight is necessary for any serious examination.
• Flea comb for coat combings ().
• Hand lens or magnifying glass for close examination of the skin, coat and collected material; the large illuminated lenses sold for reading are most useful ().
• A good-quality binocular microscope for examining hair plucks, skin scrapes and cytology ().
• Glass slides for mounting material; frosted slides are easier to label ().
• Cover-slips are essential for any microscopic examination ().
• Immersion oil for using the 100 oil immersion microscope lens; different types of oil with different viscosities are available. Type A is the least viscous and is often preferred as it is the least messy and the cheapest. Type NVH is the most viscous. For in-house use, type B would also be suitable also but it is messier than type A ().
• Lens tissue or cloth and cleaning fluid or alcohol for cleaning microscope lenses without damage.
• Otoscope for examining the ears ().
• Wood's lamp for screening for fluorescent dermatophytes ().
• Electric clippers for removing hair, allowing access to the skin.
• Curved scissors for more precise and less traumatic hair removal.
• Fine-tipped curved artery (mosquito) forceps for hair plucks ().