Library

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.

This latest instalment is delivered by Dr Cecilia Villaverde, a veterinary surgeon and doctor of small animal nutrition from the Autonomous University of Barcelona who has gained experience from a 4-year residency at the University of California, Davis (UCD). 

It is important to be familiar with the various types of nutrition and handling care for castrated cats to ensure their speedy recovery.

This article provides a review of the following skin disorders in dogs: flea allergy dermatitis, pyoderma, sarcoptic mange, atopic dermatitis and Malassezia dermatitis.

Weight gain and the accumulation of too much fat can trigger serious secondary diseases in cats. Beyond the discernible mechanical and cutaneous clinical signs, recent evidence suggests that an increase in oxidative stress due to the accumulation of adipocytes creates a proinflammatory state in obese cats known as metabolic syndrome.

Lipomas are relatively common mesenchymal tumours, consisting of fatty nodules in the subcutaneous tissue. They primarily appear subcutaneously in the central portions of the chest, abdomen and limbs.

Bacterial dermatoses are a very significant group of skin infections in the field of veterinary dermatology, especially with regard to dogs. There is a wide variety of clinical presentations, and their diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be difficult. Why is pyoderma more prevalent in dogs than in cats or other animals? Key point: differentiating between superficial and deep pyoderma

Joint disease becomes evident when dogs start limping and presenting restricted movement. As it is a slow, progressive condition, owners do not usually pay much attention at first and only visit the veterinary clinic once the animal presents severe difficulty in its everyday activities.

The pads are the final parts of a dog’s paw and are in permanent contact with the ground, supporting the animal’s full weight when walking and running. It is very important to maintain the integrity of this tissue because the paw pads constitute the only barrier between a dog’s more sensitive tissues and damaging surfaces and objects on the ground. See below for a list of causes of the most common wounds in this region, as well as the appropriate treatment and possible complications.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus can cause dehydration in an animal. We will focus on the most appropriate treatment.

It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of dogs are atopic. The pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is complicated, but several studies have detected two main pathogenic mechanisms in atopic dermatitis:

It is important to remember that atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and therefore incurable disease. The continuous administration of medication for AD usually has long-term side effects that will seriously affect the animal’s quality of life and may even require breaks in treatment.

Castrating cats may lead to weight gain as the resulting metabolic changes give rise to different nutritional needs. Similarly, this weight gain can cause chronic diseases. To help keep cats healthy, it is very important to use special food for castrated cats that specifically adjusts their diet to combat weight gain.

Some risk factors for obesity in pets are very easy to recognise. Others, however, are not so obvious. Here are eight key factors that influence excessive weight gain in cats and dogs, and some recommendations on how to control them.

Owning a cat is well worth it. If you have the opportunity to own one, don’t miss out, especially since here at Affinity we have designated this year as the year of the cat. And it has undoubtedly been a great year.

Cats are very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. If they are not comfortable with their environment, it will have a direct impact on their health. They may even develop urinary diseases, such as FLUTD. Toys for indoor cats are essential for reducing their stress. In this post we will explain the most important factors for reducing stress in cats as well as guidelines for environmental enrichment.

Castration is a surgical procedure involving the removal of a male dog’s testicles and a female dog’s ovaries (or ovaries and uterus).

Respiratory rate is a vital sign in any animal defined as the number of breaths taken over a certain period of time. Breathing is automatically regulated by the nervous system which sends signals to the muscles that control breathing telling them to contract or relax.

Worming tablets for dogs are an effective and safe solution to protect them against parasites that can transmit serious diseases. With a bioavailability of 70% when taken orally, they provide monthly protection.

Transmissible venereal tumours (TVT) only affect dogs and are the most common cause of genital tumours in sexually active populations. They are more common in temperate climates. They affect intact males and females and are typically transmitted through cellular implantation during sexual contact (although it can also be spread by licking the vulva, for example).

The vestibular system serves to orientate dogs with respect to space and gravity, harmonising their movements. It maintains the position of the eyes, body and limbs in relation to the head. The system functions as a reflex arc; therefore, the syndrome is a neurological problem arising from damage to the VIII cranial nerve or inner ear (peripheral vestibular disorders) or a brainstem injury (central disorders) (1). It is essential to determine the location of the injury in order to identify the disease causing the syndrome.

Diarrhoea is one of the most frequent causes for consultation. It is not always easy to reach a definitive diagnosis, particularly in the case of chronic diarrhoea. Treatment depends on the type of diarrhoea, and an appropriate diet is especially important.

Pancreatitis in dogs can be due to various causes, most notably:

Otitis in dogs is a common problem in veterinary medicine that requires therapeutic management including specific treatment of the underlying cause, as well as support treatment using different products.

Seizures can be divided into two categories: generalised or focal. In the former, there is involuntary shaking or spasmodic movements of all four limbs and usually loss of consciousness. Focal seizures may involve only one side of the body, one limb or the face.

The correct treatment of a dog’s wound can mark the difference between an injury that heals quickly or one that becomes infected and deteriorates. This post will focus on a series of tips for treating open wounds.

Chronic canine hepatitis (CCH) encompasses a group of liver diseases characterised by inflammation and necrosis, which, in most cases, is due to unknown causes. This latter group of diseases is called idiopathic chronic hepatitis, which excludes infections and conditions associated with copper and medicinal products.

Canine parvovirus is caused by the parvo virus which has a special tropism for cells with rapid division cycles, mainly causing necrosis in intestinal and bone marrow cells.

Myiasis in dogs is a parasitic disease involving infestation by the larvae of fly species in the Diptera order (adult two-winged arthropod flies).

Gastrointestinal disorders in dogs manifest with signs such as diarrhoea, which, if severe, can cause significant dehydration in the patient. While intravenous therapy is required for more severe cases, oral rehydration therapy may be safe and effective in less severe examples. Here we look at the study that has proven this point.

Canine distemper is a serious viral disease which causes a wide range of clinical signs, most of which are nonspecific, but include the loss of strength in the dog’s hindlimbs. Given the poor prognosis, prevention through vaccination is important.

Find out about the causes and potential treatments for white vomit in dogs.

Yellow vomit in dogs is usually due to bilious vomiting syndrome, although in a small percentage of cases this emetic reflex is triggered by more serious conditions, especially in the case of elderly dogs.