The Pruritic Dog
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Updated:
MAY 22, 2006
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Table of Contents
- The Pruritic Dog
- The Dog with Papules, Pustules, and Crusts
- The Dog with Alopecia
In this section, I offer an approach to various common presentations in veterinary dermatology. I begin each topic in this section with general comments followed by tables containing the most common differential diagnoses, their clinical features, diagnostic procedures of choice, treatment, and prognosis. I have attempted to list diseases in order of prevalence. Diseases marked with an ( # ) and a colored screen, are potentially difficult to diagnose or their management often requires considerable experience to achieve the best possible outcome. You may consider offering your client a referral to a veterinary dermatologist if you do not feel comfortable diagnosing or treating this disease.
This is not a textbook of veterinary dermatology so these tables do not contain all possible details but rather a concise overview concentrating on the most important features. Similarly, the flow charts at the end of each topic are concise and simplified to maximize the benefit for the busy small animal practitioner. They will be useful in most instances, but remember that some of your clients may not have read the textbooks. Even though this information is aimed at helping you as competent veterinarians to reach a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan, your critical acumen, examination, and communication skills remain the most crucial instruments for success in your daily practice.
1. The Pruritic Dog
Key Questions
All questions discussed in Section 1 (Dermatologic History) may be relevant for a pruritic patient.
Differential Diagnoses
If lesions are present, see The Dog with Papules, Pustules and Crusts. If no lesions are present, differential diagnoses are listed in Table 2-1.
Table 2-1. Differential Diagnoses, Commonly Affected Sites, Recommended Diagnostic Tests, Treatment Options, and Prognosis in a Pruritic Dog Without Lesions | ||||
Disease | Commonly Affected Sites | Diagnostic Tests | Treatment | Prognosis |
Atopy (#) (Hypersensitivity to airborne allergens, such as pollens, house dust mites, or mold spores) | Face, feet, axillae, ears, ventrum, and perianal area (Fig. 2-1, Fig. 2-2, and Fig. 2-3). | Diagnosis based on history, physical examination, and ruling out differential diagnoses! Intradermal skin test or serum test for allergen- specific IgE identify offending allergens and allow formulation of immunotherapy | Allergen-specific immunotherapy, antihistamines, essential fatty acids, glucocorticoids, shampoos | Good for well-being of the patient with continued, sometimes intensive management; guarded out-look for cure |
Scabies (a highly contagious disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var.canis) | Pinnae, elbows, ventrum, hocks (Fig. 2-4 and Fig. 2-5). | Superficial skin scrapings, Sarcoptes treatment trial. | Antiparasitic agents such as amitraz, lime sulfur, ivermectin, or milbemycin oxime | Excellent |
Malassezia dermatitis (an infection with Malassezia pachydermatis secondary to other skin disorders, such as allergies or endocrine problems) | Face, feet, ears, ventral neck, ventrum, and perianal area (Fig. 2-6 and Fig. 2-7) | Cytology | Antifungal agents such as ketoconazole | Good, but relapse likely if primary disease not addressed |
Food adverse reaction (may or may not be allergic, commonly a reaction against a protein, rarely an additive, clinically indistinguishable from atopy) | Face, feet, axillae, ears, ventrum, perianal area (Fig. 2-8) | Elimination diet | Avoidance, antihistamines, essential fatty acids, glucocorticoids, shampoos | Excellent, if offending protein(s) is (are) identified and avoided, otherwise fair with continued management. Poor chance of cure |
Figure 2-1. Facial erythema and alopecia in a 5-year-old male, castrated Sharpei with atopic dermatitis.
Figure 2-2. Perianal alopecia, erythema, and salivary staining in an atopic, 2-year-old, female toy Poodle.
Figure 2-3. Pododermatitis in a 1-year-old, castrated Golden Retriever with atopy.
Figure 2-4. Severe pinnal crusting in a 10-month-old, female Akita with scabies.
Figure 2-5. Ventral erythema, alopecia, and papules in the dog seen in Figure 2-4.
Figure 2-6. Hyperpigmentation and alopecia in a 2-year-old, spayed German Shepherd with Malassezia canis (Courtesy of Dr. Thiery Olivry).
Figure 2-7. Malassezia-related dermatitis in a 9-year-old, male British Bulldog (Courtesy of Dr. Michael Shipstone).
Figure 2-8. Pedal salivary staining in an 8-year-old, spayed Schnauzer with food-adverse reaction (Courtesy of Dr. Peter Ihrke).
Figure 2-9. The nonlesional pruritic dog.
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How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?
(2006) “The Pruritic Dog”, Dermatology for the Small Animal Practitioner. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/dermatology-for-small-animal-practitioner/pruritic-dog (Accessed: 30 March 2023).
Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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ISBN-10
1893441091
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