Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Ceruminous Cystomatosis

 Our friend Liono visited our #Omaha #Nebraska office

😻 He presented with #ceruminouscystomatosis bilaterally with infection.
This big guy had been dealing with this for the past few years. After a VO and laser Liono is doing great! Good Job Omaha Team! 🥳🥰



Thanks to Ashley, LVT from Omaha for sharing.
Ceruminous cystomatosis is a non neoplastic disorder where the ceruminous glands become cystic. These blue colored lesions may be solitary or grouped and may originate anywhere from the eardrum, throughout the canals and over the medial pinnae and base of the ear.
When ear canal cysts are small, cats are usually not symptomatic. As they become larger cats may be predisposed to otitis by the accumulation of debris. The narrowing canal produces a favorable environment for yeast and bacteria.
Unless the lesions block the canals, they are often tolerated and do not require therapy. However, most lesions are not resolved. The most effective options for management include surgical resection, cryosurgery or laser removal. Laser removal of especially the base of the cysts is very effective for removing tissue and reducing the incidence of re-growth.

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius

 This sweet pup had #MRSP on its paws!

😱 This is after 3 weeks of chloramphenicol (before & after photos) 🥳 We started the antibiotics based off the results from an aerobic culture.




What is MRSP? 🤷‍♂️

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius is a species of Staph that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics.
Staphylococcus bacteria are normal inhabitants of the skin of people and pets in low numbers; however, Staph has a capacity to overgrow and create infections. MRSP generally only affects pets, but has the capability to affect humans as well.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius is very similar to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is well known as MRSA and is generally contracted at human hospitals. People who are exposed to hospitals generally carry the bacteria on their skin or in nasal passages, which can be transmitted to pets as
well. The only way to differentiate the two types is to perform a culture and sensitivity.
What is a resistant bacterial skin infection?🤷‍🙋‍♀️
When a pet has a bacterial skin infection, especially a prolonged infection or chronic recurring infection, your veterinarian may be suspicious of a resistant infection. Resistant infections can develop when antibiotics are chronically used, when inadequate doses are prescribed or following a single course of antibiotics.

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Groomer CE SLC 2023


We had an extremely successful Groomers CE at our SLC location. Thanks to those who attended, our sponsors, our team members who assisted and Dr. Loek for her wonderful presentation. 🐶👍
#bluebuffalonatural thanks for dinner & #rayneclinicalnutrtion #vetiquinolUSA for the goodies








 

Friday, March 24, 2023

Immunotherapy Learning

Visiting the Mayo Clinic!

Dr. Charbonneau shadowed Dr. Matthew Rank at the #MayoClinic. 🧫🦠

So very cool 😎

Dr. Rank is the department chair of #allergy, #asthma, and clinical #immunology. He is an expert in human allergies and immunotherapy.

Dr. Charbonneau was able to observe skin prick testing, drug challenges, food challenges, #immunotherapy administration and expand his knowledge on immunotherapy formulation.

Most of what animal medicine does and knows for #allergies in our pets is extrapolated from the human side of allergy management.

Immunotherapy was the primary reason for Dr. Charbonneau
's visit and he found it amazing to discuss and compare the human allergens and our veterinary allergens. This way we can learn and improve our immunotherapy.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Great Update!

 

This is from a great post from a client of Dr. Flanagans at our Akron, Ohio office.


"A story for all dog moms and dads. After 5 months of trying to find out what has been going on with Brodie’s nose, Dermatology for Animals in Akron has been able to determine it’s a fungus, ringworm. After 4 negative ringworm tests, negative autoimmune testing and other tests, medications that helped but it kept coming back and just on the top of his nose. They did a biopsy, took 3 samples and finally determined the issue. It is very rare to present on a nose but it can happen. Beware ringworm is on the rise, actually all types of fungus for both dogs and humans with all the climate change and it’s almost impossible to figure out where it came from. So if your pups skin starts to get some type of infection, I highly suggest a visit to the vet. We went immediately, multiple times until we were finally able to get into the dermatologist vet in Akron. These pics show the different stages since September. The last one is now. He’s finally growing the hair back on his nose and it has shrunk tremendously after moving up his nose towards his eye! He’s definitely on the mend finally and looking forward to a fun summer! Thank you Dr. Flanagan!!" - Lisa B




Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Ear Hematoma

Ear Hematoma

Also Known As: Aural hematoma 

Transmission or Cause: The cause is due most commonly to self-inflicted trauma such as scratching and shaking of the head. This behavior causes the tiny blood vessels of the ear to rupture and hemorrhage under the skin forming a pocket of blood within the earflap. Allergies, an infection or inflammation of the ear, the presence of a foreign body, or ear parasites all cause pain, itchiness or irritation that an animal would seek to alleviate by head shaking or scratching. 

Affected Animals: Dogs or cats Overview: When an animal has a painful or itchy ear, it may swing its head about or scratch its ear to alleviate the discomfort. This behavior can cause trauma to the animal’s pinna, or earflap, that can add even more irritation to the ear. An aural, or ear, hematoma is a swelling in the earflap resulting from an injury. When the tiny blood vessels in the ear’s cartilage rupture and bleed, the hematoma, a firm, fluid 
filled swelling, will appear within the animal’s ear. The examining veterinarian will be able to treat this hematoma by any of several procedures that drain the fluid. Minor surgery may be required. 

Clinical Signs: The pinna of the ear will have a soft, fluid filled, fixed swelling on the inside or concave side that can vary in size. The swelling may be warm to the touch. Usually there is an underlying allergy or ear disease, called otitis, that can have many different causes. 

Symptoms: The flap of the ear will have a firm swelling on its inside that may be red and warm to the touch. The swelling can sometimes be at the base of the ear. Many dogs with this condition have a history of ear problems or infections. 

Description: An ear hematoma is a firm, fluid-filled, swollen mass that is visible on the inside of the earflap. Usually, an animal will get an ear hematoma from shaking its head or scratching its ear because it has an underlying allergy or ear disease.
 
Diagnosis: The veterinarian will be able to diagnose an aural hematoma upon observation of a swelling in the pinna or flap of the ear. An aspirate, which involves withdrawing fluid from the swollen area into a syringe and looking at it under a microscope, may be performed during the examination. The presence of blood in this fluid will confirm an aural hematoma. 

Prognosis: The prognosis is excellent for the correction of the hematoma. However, unless the underlying cause of the irritation to the ears is controlled, it is possible that another hematoma will develop at a later time. 

Treatment: There are several procedures for treating aural hematomas; the veterinarian’s approach to the problem will depend on the severity of the pet’s condition. One method for correction which requires that the animal be sedated lightly is placing a drain, called a teat cannula, securely into the tip of the ear and allowing the ear to drain from the cannula for a period of three weeks. The ear eventually seals back together as the owner milks the fluid from the hematoma through the cannula each day. Another method, performed under general anesthesia, involves making a surgical incision into the swelling on the ear, allowing the fluid to drain. Then, multiple sutures will be stitched into the ear to seal it back together. Approximately seven to 10 days following the procedure, after the ear has drained and healed fully, the sutures will be removed. Failure to treat a hematoma can lead to enlargement of the swelling to encompass the entire earflap. Also, scar tissue formation within the hematoma will result in a severely wrinkled, thickened earflap that will predispose the pet to further ear problems. 

Prevention: To help prevent aural hematoma formation, it is essential that the veterinarian determine what is causing the irritation that is making the animal shake its head or scratch its ears. A thorough examination of the ears will be necessary. The veterinarian may use an otoscope to look down into the ear canals to determine the presence of a foreign body or inflammation in the ears. Ear swabs often are taken and the material is evaluated under the microscope to look for causes of otitis such as yeast, ear mites, or bacteria. Allergies also can cause irritation to the ears. Wounds of the pinna or earflap should be treated to prevent trauma to the ear caused by shaking and scratching.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

acantholytic keratinocytes

Acantholytic Keratinocytes.

Acantholysis of keratinocytes causes separation and loss of integrity of the epidermal cell layers, resulting in transient pustules and/or blisters that rapidly develop into erosions, crusts, scales, and alopecia on the skin and/or mucous membranes.

These cells can be seen in the autoimmune disease Pemphigus foliaceus, the most common autoimmune skin condition in dogs and cats, is characterized by pustules, erosions, and crusts.