Intradermal reactivity to two concentrations of pollen extracts in atopic dogs.

Background: Intradermal test (IDT) is used widely for determination of allergens to include in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). The optimal concentration of allergen solutions used for testing has not been established in atopic dogs. Inadequate concentrations could lead to falsely negative test results and lack of inclusion of important allergens in AIT.

Clinical techniques in Veterinary Dermatology: Regional anaesthesia of the canine ear.

Background: Video otoscopy is a valuable tool for the diagnosis and treatment of otitis externa (OE) and otitis media (OM) in dogs. Procedures performed by video otoscopy often are painful and it can be challenging to maintain steady anaesthetic depth and provide smooth anaesthetic recovery. A multimodal approach to analgesia and anaesthesia is ideal to minimize complications associated with high doses of anaesthetic drugs while providing the patient with adequate analgesia.

Deslorelin Implant Treatment for Hair Cycle Arrest (Alopecia X) in Two Intact Male Keeshonden.

Alopecia in dogs occurs secondary to a variety of underlying inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions. Hair cycle arrest (alopecia X) is a noninflammatory alopecia that is frustrating to diagnose and treat due to lack of understanding of disease pathogenesis. A variety of therapies for hair cycle arrest have been described with inconsistent efficacy in different dog breeds and sexes; no definitive treatment is available.

Impression Smear Agreement with Acetate Tape Preparation for Cytologic Sampling.

Cutaneous cytologic sampling techniques are used to detect bacteria, yeast, and inflammatory cells for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Studies have examined slide evaluation techniques, ear swab cytology staining methods, and observer variations; few studies compare common clinical sampling techniques. The primary aim of this study was to measure detection of microorganisms and neutrophils by impression smear compared to acetate tape preparation; comparison of agreement between two acetate tape staining methods was a secondary aim.

Serum Malassezia-specific IgE in dogs with recurrent Malassezia otitis externa without concurrent skin disease.

Immediate-type hypersensitivity (ITH), mediated by IgE, to Malassezia pachydermatis is recognized in atopic dogs with recurrent yeast dermatitis and otitis externa (OE). Malassezia-associated OE commonly occurs in dogs without other signs of atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to detect Malassezia-specific IgE in the sera of dogs with recurrent Malassezia OE without concurrent skin disease.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma manifesting as follicular isthmus cysts in a cat.

Case Summary: A 9-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was examined for swelling of the right upper lip. The cat had been receiving oral ciclosporin A for eosinophilic plaques. The swelling appeared clinically and cytologically consistent with an abscess; exudate was cultured and treatment consisted of antibiotic therapy and surgical curettage.