The skin is divided in three layers:Epidermis DermisHypodermis

• Epidermis:

• Dermis: is the vascular layer containing nerves, sebaseous sweat glands and hair follicles

• Hypodermis: a fibro-fatty layer providing energy reserves, heat insulation and protective padding.

• Thickest on the forehead, dorsal neck, dorsal thorax, rump and base of the tail.

• Thinnest on lateral surfaces of the auricula, axillary, inguinal and perineal areas and on the undersurface of the tail.

• Taking the patients history

• Making a physical examination of the skin

• Use diagnostic aid/methods

Taking the patients history

flank alopecia

Dermatophytosis

Making a physical examination of the skin

Close inspection, palpation and smelling of the skin and hair coat are necessary to identify and characterize lesions.

Odor: Seborrhea is a skin condition in dogs that causes flaky skin (dandruff) and greasiness of the skin and hair. This disorder is very common and can lead to a secondary infection of the skin. Often, dogs will smell bad due to the buildup of oil on the skin and hair.

Symetrical: Hyperestrogenism

Asymentrical: RingwormLocalized: may be single like scales typical of chin acne in cats

Regional: may be restricted to certain regional areas; hookworm infection in dog limbs

Apply oil on the blade, microscope slide and lesion.

Scrapings must be deep enough to cause capillary bleeding over an area of 1-2 cm of an active lesion

After scraping, mix the accumulated debris on the blade into the mineral oil–Examine under microscope

This technique is recommended to find superficial ectoparasites, like the ones named before and to isolate yeasts such as Candida albicans fro the skin

A battery operated vacuum cleaner is useful for isolating ectoparasites which aren't visible in the hair coat:

• Intact pustules are ideal for culturing.• The hair is clipped over the lesion.• A 16 mm (22-25 g) needle is used to

cut a bit open the lesion• Material is placed to cultivate

• Pyoderma