Prospective evaluation of hospital-acquired skin lesions in dogs: A case-control study.

Background: Hospital-related dermatological conditions are well-studied and reported in human medicine. However, studies about these dermatological disorders in veterinary medicine are lacking.

Objectives: To report the incidence, type and distribution of hospital-acquired skin lesions (HASL) in dogs, and to investigate risk factors that may be associated with their development.

Evaluation of residual antibacterial effects on canine skin surface and hair following treatment with five commercial mousse products against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Background: Antibacterial effect studies of commercial antiseptics typically have evaluated hair and not the skin.

Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial effects of mousse products on both canine skin and hair.

Animals: Fifteen short-haired and eight long-haired dogs without skin disease.

Serum detection of IgG antibodies against Demodex canis by western blot in healthy dogs and dogs with juvenile generalized demodicosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of canine immunoglobulins (Ig) G against Demodex proteins in the sera of healthy dogs and of dogs with juvenile generalized demodicosis (CanJGD) with or without secondary pyoderma. Demodex mites were collected from dogs with CanJGD. Protein concentration was measured and a western blot technique was performed.

Identification of a third feline Demodex species through partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA and frequency of Demodex species in 74 cats using a PCR assay.

Background: Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi are considered the two Demodex species of cats. However, several reports have identified Demodex mites morphologically different from these two species. The differentiation of Demodex mites is usually based on morphology, but within the same species different morphologies can occur.

Immunology and pathogenesis of canine demodicosis.

Demodex mites colonized the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals millions of years ago and have remained relatively unchanged in this protected ecologic niche since then. The host immune system detects and tolerates their presence. Toll-like receptor-2 of keratinocytes has been demonstrated to recognize mite chitin and to elicit an innate immune response.

Pyogranulomatous mural folliculitis in a cat treated with methimazole.

An 11-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented for polydipsia, hyperactivity and bilateral thyroid gland enlargement. Total T4 (TT4) was in the upper interval range; therefore, an early hyperthyroidism was suspected. A treatment trial with methimazole was started, as the owner refused further tests.

Efficacy of a new topical cyclosporine A formulation in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

Topical treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA) has recently become possible with the development of novel nanotechnology pharmaceutical formulations of CsA able to penetrate through the epidermis providing good absorption and dermal action. The aim of this multicentre, blinded, parallel, randomized, placebo controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a new topical CsA formulation in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). Dogs (n=32) with severe and moderate clinical signs of non-seasonal AD, but few localized lesions, were randomly allocated to receive topical CsA (17 dogs) or placebo (15 dogs) and were treated twice a day for 6 weeks.

Small Demodex populations colonize most parts of the skin of healthy dogs.

Background: It is unproven that all dogs harbour Demodex mites in their skin. In fact, several microscopic studies have failed to demonstrate mites in healthy dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: Demodex canis is a normal inhabitant of the skin of most, if not all, dogs.

Development of a real-time PCR to detect Demodex canis DNA in different tissue samples.

The present study reports the development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Demodex canis DNA on different tissue samples. The technique amplifies a 166 bp of D. canis chitin synthase gene (AB 080667) and it has been successfully tested on hairs extracted with their roots and on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded skin biopsies.

Long term follow-up of dogs diagnosed with leishmaniosis (clinical stage II) and treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol.

Twenty-three dogs with a diagnosis of leishmaniosis (clinical stage II) were treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol and were followed up for 2-9 years. The treatment showed efficacy and the clinical condition of the dogs improved markedly in the first 3 months of treatment. Anti-Leishmania antibody titres declined slowly although most dogs remained seropositive 1 year after beginning treatment.