1. Diseases of the Integumentary System
Casey Conway
Jeannie Stall , R.V.T.
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2. Skin Largest organ 3 layers: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
Barrier between animals body and the environment
Protects from physical, chemical, microbiological
Important indicator of internal disease
One of the most common problems
Important indicator of internal disease MM, icteric

3. Canine Skin

4. Ectoparasites Ear Mites Fleas Ticks Mange Warbles (Cuterebra) Maggots
Lice
Ear mite
Lice (anoplura)

5. Ear Mites Surface of skin – external ear canal
Feed on epidermal debris
Clinical Signs
Brown, black crusty exudate
Irritating, scratching
Scrapes, wounds
Diagnose: otoscope – see large adults, ear swab, microscopic evaluation
Tx: Clean ears, medication (Tresaderm)

6. Fleas Blood-sucking, mammals and birds
Severe skin irritation – frequent bites
Flea saliva is highly antigenic in some animals causing an allergic dermatitis
Intermediate host – dog tapeworm (dipylidium)
Vector dz
Clin. Signs: fleas, flea dirt, skin lesions - bites

7. FAD (Flea Allergy Dermatitis)

8. Fleas cont. Tx: several products – OTC gen. not effective
Topical: sprays, dips, powders, shampoos
Sprays/powders use combo ingredients
Specific species/age – VERY CAREFUL
Dips – residual effect – can be very toxic
Shampoos have no residual effect

9. Fleas cont. Systemic: spot-ons, oral, inj. Advantage – mo. spot-on
Program – monthly tablet or 6 mo. injection
– absorbed by fatty tissue – bloodstream
Frontline – mo. spot-on – not true systemic
Sentinel – mo. Tab
Revolution – mo spot-on
Capstar- Tablet / Fast but only lasts 24 hrs.

10. Fleas cont. Huge client education issue
Not just one animal in household/family
Even if they never go outside
Will bite/feed on humans but are generally species specific
Can be dormant for months
Clean ,clean ,clean !!!!

11. Ticks Blood-sucking arthropod
Not species specific – all warm blooded animals including humans
Heavy infestation – anemia
Transmit many dz – bact, viral, rickettsial, protozoan
Bites, vector dz, neurotoxin in saliva of 12 species causes tick paralysis in dogs
Brown dog tick

12. Ticks cont. Clin. Signs – tick (lump) on the animal
Weak, pale MM (lg number)
Flaccid paralysis
Arthritis-like symptoms, joints (lymes)
Tx – manual removal of all ticks
Topicals, sprays, powders, dips
Frontline, advantix, revolution,
Treat environment
Prevention is best!
American dog tick

13. Mange 3 primary “mange” mites in dogs & cats
Demodectic, sarcoptic, notoedric
Demodectic mange (non-pruritic)
Mites live in the hair follicles of most dogs and cats
Localized: 3m-1y age, hx, alopecia – head, forelegs, trunk. “Red Mange”
Generalized: febrile, entire body, secondary bact skin infx - pustules

14. Demodectic Mange cont. Dx skin scrape – mite identification
Tx age, lesions, vet preference
Mitaban dip
Ivermectin – off-label
Not contagious
Generalized form can be fatal

15. Sarcoptic Mange Intensely pruritic – unlike demodex Highly contagious
Mites burrow in skin
Can infect humans – only live for a few days off original host
Rarely infects cats

16. Sarcoptic Mange cont. Clin signs – red lesions – ears, elbows, trunk
Itch itch itch
Secondary bact infx
Progression is more severe
Dx with skin scrape – deep in epidermis
Biopsy
Tx dips, ivermectin (off-label)

17. Warbles (Cuterebra) Fly lays eggs in the soil
Grub penetrates host skin, mature
Leaves as an adult fly
Fistula (opening) to breathe
Young animals – esp. rabbits
Large swelling behind ears/neck
Incise fistula and remove larva
Flush wound, abx
NEVER CRUSH! Anaphylactic Rxn

18. Cuterebra Hole

19. Maggots ( Myiasis)
Adult flies lay eggs in wet, warm, damaged skin on animal
Eggs hatch – larvae – highly destructive
Large ulcerated area
Heavy coats, neglect, matted hair, bad odor, painful reaction
Clip hair, flush wounds, manually remove all larvae (avoid dips – open wound)
Daily wound mgmt – must! Abx, keep inside

20. Lice Don’t effect humans – host specific Dz of neglect
Pets agitated, intense itching, anemia
Presence of lice in coat diagnostic
Dips, dusts, shampoos.
Clip hair
Nits form cocoons
on hair shafts
Mallophaga- (chewing/biting lice)

21. Fungal Infections Ringworm (microsporum canis)
Circular patch of alopecia – face/head
Zoonotic! Esp. children, elderly
Wood’s lamp(Black light)– 50% fluoresce yellow/green
Culture, clip area, tx antifungal until 2 wk post
Oral therapy
Hairs shed from infx animal remain contagious for up to 18 months!

22. Ringworm

23. Pyoderma Bacterial infection of the skin
Primary
Secondary
Superficial
Deep
Superficial: hot spots, impetigo, acne, skin-fold pyoderma

24. Hot Spots Acute moist dermatitis Infection and inflammation
Any break or irritation in skin
95% staph - bad fast – very itchy
Tx : clip/clean, Cortisone inj.
Rx Cortisone spray or tabs
E-collar
+/- abx

25. Impetigo Strep – lesions – unhealthy animal Culture and sensitivity
Systemic abx
Shampoo, topical
Not contagious

26. Superficial Pyoderma cont.
Acne
Chronic, worse cats
Clean bowls
Skin-fold pyoderma
Redundant tissue traps moisture/heat
Long-term tx
Surgical removal of extra skin
Breeds – brachycephalic
Deep pyoderma
Papules, pustules, usually drug resistant
Lick granuloma

27. Feline Acne
Comedomes

28. Anal glands Location of glands @ 4 & 8 o’clock positions
Duct 2 & 10 o’clock positions
Impaction
Chronic infection
Rupture – surgical tx
Expression – natural with bm, manually
Lavage, instill abx
Oral abx

29. Infected Anal Gland

30. Tumors / Cancer Benign – no harm Malignant – may result in death
Localized
Invasive
Specialized area so many types
Benign skin tumors
Histiocytomas, lipoma , papilloma, sebaceous cyst
(fatty tumor), ( warts) , ( within skin)

31. Tumors / Cancer cont. Malignant skin tumors Basal cell carcinoma
Fibrosarcoma (not vx-induced)
Feline Fibrosarcoma (vx-induced)
Mast cell tumors
Prior trt.- Sx. & Millipore H2O New trt.- Kinavet CA1

32. Tumors cont Melanoma Benign – small Malignant – large
Biopsy, surgical excision
Metastasize readily
Poor prognosis
Recurrence is common

33. Tumors cont Perianal tumors (Adenoma, Adenocarcinoma)
Small, slow-growing, close to the anus
Ulcerated
Location, biopsy, surgical excision
Castration aids in preventing recurrence
Radiation
Cryosurgery

34. Tumors cont Squamous cell carcinoma
Raised, ulcerated, cauliflower-like mass
Biopsy, surgical excision
Radiotherapy
Cryosurgery
Recurrence is common

35. Horses Skin issues common Age, season, confinement Herd or alone
Location, geography
Insects!! Huge part of equine management.

36. Insect Hypersensitivity
Systemic allergic rxn to insect bites (gnats)
Intense pruritis, alopecia, uticaria, lesions
Dx with clin. signs and presence of insects
Tx insect control, fly spray, manure mgmt
Antihistamines generally don’t help
If lesions bad – abx

37. Fly Bite Dermatitis Wheals, pustules, nodules
Treat w/ fly spray or VIP oint.
Insect control/management
Care of wounds

38. Lice One of the most common ectoparasites on horses
Sucking lice – more damage, live off blood
Biting or Chewing lice – live off dead cells and debris in the skin
Winter – longer coat
Direct contact transmission, carried on objects
Itching – tail, mane
See adults, eggs in the hair
Shampoo (pyrethrin), tx environment, clip
Tx all horses in herd/barn
Ivermectin effect more against sucking lice than biting

39. Mites Normal inhabitant of skin Dz in immunocompromised animals
Itching lesions
Skin scrape
Dips
Ivermectin

40. Ticks Bite sensitivity – ears, face, neck, groin, tail
Some severe systemic hypersensitivity
Tick paralysis
Removal
Pyrethrin dips
Frontline (off-label)

41. Onchocerciasis Nematode parasite Adults live in ligaments of the neck
Larvae migrate thru skin and cause dermatitis
Insects implicated in spread – flies
Dx by response to treatment
Tx ivermectin, repeating dose 3 wks
Death of microfilariae cause itching, use steroids

42. Onchocerciasis
conjunctivitis

43. Rain Scald / Rain Rot Fungal and bacterial components
Organisms trapped in hair – reproduce
Direct contact, objects
Clin. Signs: matted hair, alopecia, crusting
White legs
Nonpruritic, but may be painful
Bathe: iodine, chlorhex, antifungal
Prevented with daily grooming and attention
Infectious – disinfect grooming materials and tack
More attention during winter month, thaw, spring

44. Ringworm Zoonotic! Fungi: trichophyton and microsporum
Direct contact, objects
Multifocal lesions, alopecia
Classic round shape, may or may not itch
Fungal culture
Self-limiting (in horses), disinfect tack, etc.
Topical antifungals, miconazole, iodine, chlorhex, griseofulvin

45. Sarcoids Most common skin tumor in horses
Single tumor or multiple nodules
Biopsy, surgical excision
Injection of chemo agents into tumor
cryosurgery

46. Proud Flesh Furacin oint may cause an increase in development
Red, protruding cauliflower-like flesh over wound that bleed easily, distal limbs
Scar tissue growing out of control (exuberant granulation tissue)
Meat tenderizer, enzyme sprays
Removal – no sensory nerve endings in scar tissue
Avoid caustic substances that delay healing
Prevent with wraps, chlorhex/steroid oint
Furacin oint may cause an increase in development
Bleeds a lot when cut off but horse doesn’t feel it

47. Proud Flesh

48. Warts (Papillomatosis)
Young horses <3 yr
Papillomavirus
Direct contact, objects
Wart-like growths – muzzle, lips
Self-limiting
Separation to prevent spread to
other horses

49. Wounds External trauma Specific tx depending on source Suture, staple
Puncture wounds
Abx therapy
Tetanus booster
Use tetanus toxoid, not antitoxin in vaccinated horses – severe anaphylactic reactions reported

50. Sheep and Goats Contagious Ecthyma
AKA sore mouth, orf, scabby mouth
Parapoxvirus – epithelial tissue
Active in environ. for months if not yrs
Direct contact, objects
Papules, pustules, vesicles
Thick crust around mouth – spread to oral cavity, eyelids, feet, udder
Typ. resolves in 2 wks, unless lesions are severe – supportive care
More severe in goats than sheep
Biopsy
Zoonotic

51. Contagious Ecthyma

52. Dermatophilosis Bacterial (Dermatophilosis congolensis)
Wet or moist conditions
Trapped in hair/wool and reproduce
Direct contact, objects
Matted hair, alopecia, crusting
Impression smear
Systemic penicillin or oxytetracycline
Topical treatment – sulfates

53. Ringworm Similar to cats, dogs, horses, cattle Zoonotic
Same clin. signs – circular lesions, esp. face
Mild/mod itching
Fungal culture
Topical treatment, separation

54. Lice (Pediculosis) Winter months, crowding Sucking and biting
Direct contact, objects
Intense itch, alopecia
Topical solutions are effective
Ivermectin – sucking lice
Species specific

55. Mange Mites More goats than sheep Variety of mites – all treated same
Skin scrape
Dips

56. Cattle Horn flies & stable flies – blood-sucking
Cause reduced growth rate in beef cattle and reduced milk production in dairy cattle
Ectoparasites – fleas, ticks, horseflies, mosquitoes – (all vectors for dz)
Insecticide-impregnated plastic tags on ears
Treated rubs, pour-ons

57. Foot Rot Bacteria in moist environment on skin/coat
Injury/wound allows dirt to become lodged between claws and promote softening and cracking of horny tissue
Wounds permit entrance of infectious bacteria
1 or more feet may be affected
Swelling lower part of leg/coronet – abscess
Foul discharge, acute lameness
Clean wound/site – IV sulfonamide help healing
Daily check of livestock
Sheep and hogs

58. Foot Rot

59. Blackleg Symptomatic anthrax – clostridium sp.
Cattle, sheep, occas. goats, horses, swine
Acute rise in temp to 106 degrees F
Lameness, swelling in leg, hind end
Dry, crepitating skin
Dark red or brown muscle lesions
Large doses of penicillin, br.spec abx if early
Guarded prognosis, burn carcasses

60. Swine
Lice
Mange mites
Internal parasites

61. Swine Erysipelas Diamond skin disease - bacterial
Direct or indirect, lives in soil, urine, feces
Swine, cattle, goats, horses, humans
Febrile – 105, dull pain, depression,
loss of appetite, sudden death
Swellings like bee stings over body, lame
Skin may slough, loss of ear tips and tails
May cause abortion in pigs
Antiserum, penicillin
Vaccine

62. MYIASIS IN A PRAIRIE DOG (MAGGOTS)
Maggots in a prairie dog ( photo credit-- fusion.uleth.ca)
MYIASIS IN A PRAIRIE DOG (MAGGOTS)

63. Demodex mites ( photo credit—chihuahuarescue.com)

64. Demodex chart ( credit-- medi-vet.com )

65. Sarcoptes mite ( photo credit– en.academic.ru)

66. Cuterebra in a rat ( photo credit– naturalhealthtechniques.com )

67. “ SUCKING LICE” (ANAPLURA)
Louse ( photo credit-- uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu )
LOUSE
“ SUCKING LICE” (ANAPLURA)

68. SEVERE EQUINE LICE INFESTATION
Horse with severe lice infestation ( photo credit– dierenklinieklemmer )
SEVERE EQUINE LICE INFESTATION

69. Larval migrans ( photo credit—barfblog.foodsaftey.ksu.edu )

70. Ringworm ( photo credit—images.rxlist.com )
RINGWORM LESIONS

71. A SHEEP’S MOUTH WITH “ORF”, “SORE MOUTH”, CONTAGIOUS ECTHYMA
Orf in sheep ( photo credit– sheepandgoat.com )
A SHEEP’S MOUTH WITH “ORF”, “SORE MOUTH”, CONTAGIOUS ECTHYMA

72. “THRUSH “ INVOLVES THE FROG OF THE HOOF
Thrush site ( photo credit—horsemanmagazine.com )
“THRUSH “ INVOLVES THE FROG OF THE HOOF

73. FELINE VACCINE-INDUCED FIBROSARCOMA
Feline vaccine- induced fibrosarcoma ( photo credit-- blogs.dogster.com )
FELINE VACCINE-INDUCED FIBROSARCOMA

74. ANAL GLANDS-
# 1 = NORMAL #2 = ABSCESSED