Diseases of the Integumentary System Casey Conway Jeannie Stall , R.V.T. Google Images

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

Canine Skin

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

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)

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

FAD (Flea Allergy Dermatitis)

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

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.

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 !!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

Cuterebra Hole

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

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)

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!

Ringworm

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

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

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

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

Feline Acne Comedomes

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

Infected Anal Gland

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Onchocerciasis conjunctivitis

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

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

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

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

Proud Flesh

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

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

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

Contagious Ecthyma

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foot Rot

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

Swine Lice Mange mites Internal parasites

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

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

Demodex mites ( photo credit—chihuahuarescue.com)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ANAL GLANDS- # 1 = NORMAL #2 = ABSCESSED