Thank you Elanco for being a gold sponsor of the 2022 Dermatology for Animals Doctor's Retreat!

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Dr. Anthea Schick sees patients at Dermatology for Animals in Scottsdale, Arizona and she is an amazing team leader. BUT did you know - she is also National Specialty Director of Dermatology with Thrive Pet Healthcare?? 😍😻🤩

Click this link to see more...

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thrivepethealthcare_meet-our-national-specialty-director-of-dermatology-activity-6970403707276382209-rfvv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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Thank you Ceva Animal Health for being a platinum sponsor of the 2022 Dermatology for Animals Doctor's Retreat!

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Thank you Rayne Nutrition for being a silver sponsor of the 2022 Dermatology for Animals Doctor's Retreat! raynenutrition.com

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Erythema Multiforme 

Transmission or Cause: The cause of this condition is unknown. Precipitating factors include medications, dietary substances, vaccines, and some infections, possibly including feline herpes virus and canine parvovirus. In many cases, the cause is idiopathic. 

Affected Animals: An uncommon to rare skin disorder that can affect both dogs and cats. 

Clinical Signs: The lesions associated with Erythema Multiforme can be vast and variable, but generally will present acutely and have a symmetrical appearance. In most cases, dogs and cats will have reddened flat or slightly elevated lesions that may or may not be crusted. 

Other clinical signs can include vesicles, bullae, ulcers, hives, hair loss and scaling. Lesions are typically found in the inguinal, axillary or head region but may also be found in the oral cavity, on foot pads, ears and mucocutaneous junctions. 

Humans with Erythema Multiforme will generally develop a typical target lesion, which is a round, sharply demarcated lesion with a least three different zones of color: a dark red disk is surrounded by concentric rings of edematous tissue and peripherally located reddened tissue. Although animals can develop similar lesions, they rarely develop the human equivalent of the typical target lesion. Some animals will present with systemic signs of illness, including fever, anorexia and depression. 

Diagnosis: Diagnosis is made via clinical presentation in conjunction with biopsy. 

Treatment: Many cases of Erythema Multiforme are mild and may be self-limiting. In any case, attempts to identify and correct underlying causes should be made. In cases of persistent disease, then immunosuppressive medications, such as prednisone, cyclosporine and azathioprine may be beneficial. However, when medications are tapered, recurrences can occur especially in idiopathic cases. 

Prognosis: Prognosis is guarded to fair depending on the severity of the skin lesions, whether an underlying cause can be identified and treated, and overall response to treatment.

 Dust Mite Allergy in Your Pet 

What are dust mites? 

Dust mites (also known as house dust mites) are very small animals that are not visible to the human eye. They live in pillows, blankets, carpets and soft materials in your house. They consume the dead skin that is exfoliated each day. 

What is a dust mite allergy? 

When dust mites eat, they give off waste. A dust mite allergy means that a person or pet is sensitive or allergic to the waste of dust mites.

How can I control the amount of dust mites around the house? Dust mites like to live in dark, warm and humid places. The best way to reduce dust mites is to focus on bedrooms and bathrooms. 

In the house 

 The most effective to reduce dust mite exposure is to use zippered allergen barrier covers on mattresses, pillows and pet beds. Breathable covers made from Microfiber are ideal, but also vinyl or plastic covers can be used. 

 Wash all bedding and rugs in hot water every 2 weeks to kill the live mites. 

 Remove fabric items that can collect dust and cannot be washed. 

 If possible, remove the carpet. Carpet is a large source of dust mites in any room. Shampooing carpets can increase dust mite growth. If you must clean the carpets, use a dry shampooing method. Having a hard floor that can be wiped down is best. 

 Clean floors, woodwork, walls, ceilings and fixtures with a damp cloth. If possible, do not use dry mops and dusters. When vacuuming, use a vacuum with a Hepa filter.

 Do not use vaporizers or humidifiers in the bedroom 

 The greater the humidity, the greater the growth of mites. Use a Hygrometer in the house to measure the amount of humidity. Ideal humidity is between 30%-50%. 

 If you have a gas furnace, when it is first turned on for the season it can circulate dust, mold and dander throughout the house. It is

 Acral Lick Granuloma

Also Known As: Acral lick dermatitis, acral lick furunculosis, lick granuloma 

Transmission or Cause: The causes of acral lick granulomas include infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or mites; allergies, cancer, joint disease, or previous trauma; or an obsessive-compulsive disorder caused by boredom in some dogs. Dogs are provoked by these conditions to lick an area until they cause hair loss and erosion of the superficial skin layers. The consequence is further inflammation, which then results in more licking. With time, excessive licking can cause secondary infections, thickening of the skin, and changes in skin-color. 

Affected Animals: Acral lick granulomas may affect dogs of any breed and gender, however, males and dogs that are five years and older are more often affected. Breeds predisposed to this condition include Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Irish Setter. 

Overview: A commonly seen skin disorder of dogs, acral lick granulomas are skin wounds that are worsened by a dog's constant licking of the affected area. Because the repeated licking hinders healing of the lesion, dogs must be prevented from licking the area until the wound has healed completely. Acral lick granulomas have a wide variety of possible causes. The disease is often bothersome to pets as well as their owners. A veterinarian can implement appropriate medical therapies to treat the lick granuloma and to prevent recurrence. 

Clinical Signs: Lick granulomas are skin wounds typically located on the lower portion of the front or hind leg of a dog. Some dogs may have more than one area affected at a time. These lesions usually appear as firm, raised, hairless areas where the skin may be darkened due to the dog's continued licking of the area. The center of the lesion is usually ulcerated, red, and moist, or may be covered by a scab. Diagnosis: 

Diagnosis of acral lick granuloma and its cause requires a thorough history and physical examination. The following tests may be performed in order to determine the underlying cause of excessive licking: microscopic evaluation of cells from the wound, biopsy, allergy testing, and/or x-rays. Underlying conditions of the lesions include joint disease, cancer, bacterial or fungal infection, Demodex mite infection, previous trauma, allergies, and/or psychogenic licking. 

Prognosis: Because acral lick granuloma is difficult to cure, veterinarians usually give it a guarded prognosis. Dogs that receive early treatment have a better prospect of recovery than dogs with chronic conditions. 

Treatment: Treatment of acral lick granuloma requires addressing the underlying cause of the lesions. Bacterial infections, for example, are treated with antibiotics. Arthritis is treated with pain management and joint therapy. The obsessive compulsive component of the disease is more difficult to treat. The dog may be prevented from licking the area by using a type of mechanical blocking device such as a collar, muzzle, or bandage. Oral antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications may be helpful. A topical product may be used to decrease the itchiness of the area and aid in the healing process. If the lesion is small, it may be surgically removed, but recurrences are frequent. Radiation therapy has been tried in some cases, but its rate of success is poor. Laser surgery may be helpful in selected situations. 

Prevention: The best prevention is to treat the underlying cause of the granuloma and prevent further licking.