Library

The formation of calcium oxalate crystals in urine is one of the main causes of feline lower urinary tract disease, and can pose a serious health problem. Their prevention involves identifying the risk factors that lead to stone formation, which essentially involves modifying the diet.

Good analgesic support for cats suffering pain is essential in the management of multiple processes.

Different chemicals can be used to sterilise dogs, calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2.2H2O) is just one. We analysed its efficacy when sterilising male dogs by comparing intratesticular and intraepididymal injections.

A calculolytic diet and antimicrobial therapy can help medically dissolve any struvite uroliths induced by an infection.

It is very important to identify the specific cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in order to administer the most suitable treatment.However, in addition to conventional treatments, dietary treatment and environmental enrichment to reduce the cat’s stress are also important, especially in the case of feline idiopathic cystitis.

Although pain management is an emerging issue in veterinary medicine, the use of analgesics to treat pain in cats has received little attention compared with analgesic therapy for dogs. This is partly because it can be particularly difficult to detect pain in cats.

It is essential to apply the correct analgesic plan in dogs undergoing surgery for optimal perioperative management.

Sterilised female cats require special care, especially in the days after the intervention, so vets need to be aware of some important tips and guidelines to ensure the animal’s wellbeing.

Scabs in dogs are a dermatological sign of an underlying condition. Here we analyse the most common causes, from flea allergy dermatitis to an inadequate diet

​Atopic dermatitis weakens the skin barrier which means pathogens can penetrate more easily, thus increasing the risk of skin infections in dogs.

Cyclosporin is one of the treatments of choice to relieve the signs of canine atopic dermatitis, as its efficacy exceeds 80%. In most cases, an initial dose of 5 mg/kg is given daily for at least 4 weeks, and then when the disease is controlled, the dose or administration frequency may be reduced.

It is estimated that 10–15% of dogs suffer from atopic dermatitis, although the actual number is probably considerably higher. Atopic dermatitis typically manifests with pruritus and erythema, but if it is not well controlled, dogs may suffer from secondary infections, such asMalassezia, Sarcoptes, dermatophytes and Demodex, amongst others.

Skin cancer in cats is one of the most common feline neoplasms and those with the highest incidence are basal cell carcinomas, fibrosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas and mast cell tumours

Skin cancer in dogs significantly degrades their nutritional status and progressively reduces the animal’s quality of life. A correct nutritional intake is important at this stage in order to meet the metabolic demand and increase the dog’s survival.

Pyotraumatic dermatitis, or hot spot, is a painful, pruritic skin condition that causes dogs to obsessively bite, scratch and lick the area, turning the lesion into a vicious circle that is hard to break

Chlorhexidine is a cationic bisbiguanide with antiseptic activity. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative germs.1 It is found in several formulations used in dermatology and dentistry.

Hydrocortisone is used topically to treat the clinical signs of skin allergies in dogs, but it is important to adjust the dose given its side effects. Here we analyse its transdermal penetration into the damaged skin and evaluate the use of fatty acid supplements through a specific veterinary diet.

There are different types of parasite and most often they affect domestic cats

Dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, is a skin infection caused by fungi from the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton spp., although Microsporum canis is the main causal agent of ringworm infections in cats

​Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is the most common form of the pemphigus complex in small animals and the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs.1,2 This review aims to provide an update on the pathogenesis of pemphigus foliaceus, as well as its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and therapeutic approach.

Feline miliary dermatitis is a cutaneous condition of multifactorial origin. Besides being induced by hypersensitivity reactions to environmental allergens, it can be caused by different types of ectoparasitism, infections or autoimmune reactions; these factors must also be considered when establishing the animal’s treatment. 

Necrolytic migratory erythema, also known as superficial necrolytic dermatitis and hepatocutaneous syndrome, among others, is a rare erosive skin syndrome most frequently associated with metabolic diseases, such as vascular liver disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease and pancreatic glucagonomas.1,2

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common dermatological problems in dogs. Here we analyse its main mechanisms and the important role of diet in improving the clinical signs and reducing medication doses.

Before establishing appropriate treatment for skin eczema in dogs, first the primary problem causing the visible signs must be identified and defined. Once the problem has been determined, the lesions and their location can be identified, thus obtaining a clinical method based on a more comprehensive approach to the situation.1

Xanthomatosis is a disease characterised by papular/nodular skin lesions and may have a dyslipidemic, in cats with abnormal lipid metabolism, or idiopathic normolipemic origin.

This is a parasitic disease caused by the excessive proliferation of Demodex canis mites inside the hair follicles. The exaggerated multiplication is caused by genetic and/or immunological factors, as the parasite is normally found living in the follicles of most healthy dogs. Transmission takes place during the first hours of life by direct contact with the mother. The disease can manifest with various clinical signs.

Folliculitis is a common dermatological problem in dogs. Here we look at a new therapeutic approach to superficial bacterial folliculitis that considers the possible presence of different strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius with different profiles of antimicrobial resistance.

The treatment of choice for flea allergy dermatitis is to eliminate the dog’s exposure to the antigen. Here we discuss the efficacy of treatment with fipronil and other possible therapies.

​Mange is a disease exclusive to the skin that occurs in many species, including cats, and is of worldwide distribution. It is caused by mites. Demodex gatoi, which causes itching, is a microscopic ectoparasite that has different species and subspecies which can also manifest in different clinical forms.

Problems such as overweight and obesity may be common in some dogs, especially if they have an associated risk factor. To address excess weight, Advance has developed Advance Weight Balance , diet for weight control and maintenance in dogs. The diet focuses on the gut microbiota (bacterial population inhabiting the dog’s intestine) which is believed to play a key role in obesity, as normal weight and overweight dogs have different biota.

Very mild cases of uncomplicated dermatophytosis may resolve spontaneously in a few months, but treatment is recommended in most cases to avoid complications and because of its zoonotic potential.

Owners face a lot of unknowns and difficulties when it comes to treating obesity. They worry about their dog feeling hungry, they are poorly informed about obesity and the lack of effectiveness of some commercial light foods often causes owners to give up all too easily. A challenge that goes beyond the consultation room.

Malassezia is a lipophilic yeast from the class of Deuteromycetes and the same family as Cryptococcus spp. Eight species of Malassezia have been identified to date through genome analysis.  

It is important to remember that atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease that cannot be cured. Continued administration of medication in AD usually has long-term side effects which will seriously affect the animal’s quality of life and may even call for treatment interruptions. Do you want to know more about the importance of planning a long-term strategy for managing AD? Make sure you watch Dr. Lluís Ferrer’s video.

This post features three clinical cases in the area of dermatology, presented by Dr Lluís Ferrer. Some very educational videos can be found in the Vets Affinity e-learning section. 

Pododermatitis is skin inflammation that can affect interdigital spaces, paw pads, nail beds and adjacent tissues, and nails.1 The incidence of pododermatitis is the same regardless of age or sex.

Newborn cats have very specific nutritional needs. Accordingly, they cannot be given just any kind of milk, it might even be counterproductive by making the kitten feel ill, as can occur with cow’s milk.

Pruritus is one of the most common causes for consultation in veterinary dermatology. The diagnostic approach is not always straightforward, since any type of dermatosis, such as demodicosis or dermatophytosis, or even endocrine disorders may course with pruritus. What is more, a potential diagnosis is even more complicated when we consider the nonspecific nature of secondary lesions.