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Skin biopsy specimens of normal llama skin were examined histologically. Adnexal structures similar to those of most other domestic mammals included epitrichial sweat glands, sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscles. Unique features of normal llama skin included a very thick dermis with marked differences between superficial and deep dermis, prominent cutaneous vascular plexuses, unidentified cells with eosinophilic granules within the adventitia of the vascular plexuses, both simple and compound hair follicles, ‘metatarsal glands’, ‘interdigital glands’, footpad glands and the absence of eyelid tarsal glands.

An 11-year-old Doberman Pinscher with clinical and histological skin features consistent with colour dilution alopecia had a long history of skin disease. The animal had hundreds of papules affecting the ‘blue’ haired areas of the hair coat. The predominant skin lesions included keratinizing infundibular cysts, keratin horns, perifollicular dermatitis, and sebaceous hyperplasia; these lesions were often accompanied by furunculosis and suppurative panniculitis. Over a 9-month period, 32 lesions were examined histologically, which included two lipomas, one infiltrative lipoma, one squamous papilloma, two mast cell tumours, four cavernous haemangiomas, one haemangiosarcoma, and three melanomas. It is unknown at present whether the colour dilution phenotype confers increased risk for tumours of the skin and or subcutaneous tissues. Resume— Un doberman de 11 ans avec des manifestations cutanees cliniques et histologiques compatibles avec le diagnostic d'alopecie des couleurs diluees avait une longue histoire de problemes cutanes. L'animal presentait des centaines de papules affectant les zones de couleur bleue. Les lesions cutanees predominantes consistaient en kystes infundibulaires keratinisants, cornes cutanees, dermatite perifolliculaire et hyperplasie sebacee; ces lesions s'accompagnaient souvent de furonculose et de panniculite suppurative. Sur une periode de 9 mois, 32 lesions ont fait l'objet d'un examen histologique, dont deux lipomes, un lipome infiltrant, un papillome, deux mastocytomes, quatre hemangiomes caverneux, un hemangiosarcome, et trois melanomes. On ne sait actuellement pas si le phenotype couleur diluee constitue un facteur de risque accru pour les tumeurs de la peau et des tissus sous cutanes. [Madewell, B. R., Ihrke, P. J., Griffey, S. M. Multiple skin tumours in a Doberman Pinscher with colour dilution alopecia. (Tumeurs cutanees multiples chez un doberman presentant une alopecie des couleurs diluees.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 59–62.] Resumen Un doberman pinscher de 11 anos con caracteristicas clinicas e histologicas compatibles con alopecia de color diluido tenia una larga historia de enfermedad cutanea. El animal presentaba centenares de papulas afectando las areas de pelo “azul”. Las lesiones predominantes incluian quistes infundibulares queratinizados, cuernos de queratina, dermatitis perifolicular e hiperplasia sebacea; estas lesiones se acompanaban de furunculosis y paniculitis supurativa. Durante un periodo de 9 meses, 32 lesiones fueron examinadas histologicamente, incluyendo 2 lipomas, un lipoma infiltrativo, un papiloma escamoso, dos mastocitomas, cuatro hemangiomas cavernosos, un hemangiosarcoma y tres melanomas. Se desconoce aun si el fenotipo de color diluido aumenta el riesgo para la aparicion de tumores en tejidos cutaneos y subcutaneos. [Madewell, B. R., Ihrke, P. J., Griffey, S. M. Multiple skin tumours in a Doberman Pinscher with colour dilution alopecia. (Multiples tumores cutaneos en un Doberman Pinscher con alopecia de color diluido.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 59–62.] Zusammenfassung— Ein elfjahriger Dobermann mit klinischen und histologischen Befunden, die bei Farbmutantenalopezie auftreten, wies eine lange Vorgeschichte mit Hautkrankheiten auf. Das Tier zeigte Hunderte von Papeln, die die “blau” behaarten Bezirke des Felles betrafen. Die vorherrschenden Hautveranderungen bestanden in keratinisierenden infundibularen Zysten, Keratinhornern, perifollikularer Dermatitis und Talgdrusenhyperplasie; diese Veranderungen wurden oft von Furunkulose und eitriger Pannikulitis begleitet. Uber eine Zeitspanne von 9 Monaten wurden 32 Veranderungen histologisch untersucht, wovon zwei in Lipomen bestanden, eine in einem infiltrativen Lipom, eine in einem squamosen Papillom, zwei in Mastzelltumoren, vier in kavernosen Hamangiomen, eine in einem Hamangiosarkom und drei in Melanomen. Es ist zur Zeit nicht bekannt, ob der Phanotyp mit der Farbverdunnung mit einem erhohten Risiko fur Tumoren der Haut und/oder des subkutanen Gewebes einhergeht. [Madewell, B. R., Ihrke, P. J., Griffey, S. M. Multiple skin tumours in a Doberman Pinscher with colour dilution alopecia. (Multiple Hauttumoren bei einem Dobermann mit Farbmutantenalopezie.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 59–62.]

Cutaneous vasculitis was identified by histopathological findings in 72 equines. The most frequent clinical findings were crusts/scales and oedema of the legs with the most common underlying disease being photo-aggravated dermatitis. Common laboratory findings were anaemia, neutrophilia, hyperglycaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Histopathological patterns were most commonly cell-poor and lymphocytic/histiocytic. While statistically supported treatment recommendations could not be made due to the large numbers of confounding factors, trimethoprim-sulfa antibiotics, corticosteroids, and/or resolution or control of the underlying disease process were the most common treatment modalities.

Sporotrichosis is an uncommon to rare cutaneous and subcutaneous mycosis of animals and humans caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Twenty-three mammalian cases of sporotrichosis examined between 1987 and 2007 at the University of California, Davis - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, were retrospectively evaluated with regard to the historical, clinical, diagnostic and treatment findings. Cats were the most common species affected (n = 14). In addition, sporotrichosis was diagnosed in four dogs, four horses and a donkey. Six of 23 cases were diagnosed with the localized cutaneous form of sporotrichosis (four cats, one dog, one horse), 10 with the cutaneous-lymphatic form (four cats, two dogs, three horses and a donkey), and seven with the disseminated form (six cats, one dog). Two of 23 cases did not have skin lesions at the time of diagnosis (one cat, one dog). The most common mode of diagnosis was demonstration of S. schenckii on histopathological evaluation of tissue. In contrast with most previously described sporotrichosis infections in cats, few to no fungal organisms were seen in histopathological samples (haematoxylin and eosin and special stains) in five of the 14 cats. Treatments received included itraconazole (12 cats, one dog), ketoconazole (three dogs), fluconazole (one cat, one donkey), sodium iodide (four horses, one cat) and potassium iodide (one cat, one horse, one donkey). The prognosis for successful treatment was good in all species. Fluconazole was successful in inducing resolution of the cutaneous lesions and controlling the infection in one cat with disseminated sporotrichosis.

A Quarter horse filly bred from two horses affected with HERDA (hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia) was observed clinically and its skin histologically for the 1.5 years of its life. Severe signs of the disease did not manifest until 1.5 years of age, and were not temporally related to saddling. Histological comparison to an age-, breed- and sex-matched control did not show any consistent diagnostic features. Monitoring of the proband substantiated previous reports of (i) the autosomal recessive nature of the disease, (ii) mares affected with HERDA being able to foal without damage to the skin or reproductive tract, (iii) HERDA foals appearing phenotypically normal throughout the first year of life, and (iv) demonstrated that histological interpretation of skin specimens from grossly normal skin may be insufficient to differentiate HERDA-affected horses from controls.

Four new cases of sarcoptic mange in cats are described. Two cats resided in areas known to be frequented by foxes, another cohabited with a dog recently diagnosed with sarcoptic mange, while the final cat lived with a mixed breed dog that had been treated for sarcoptic mange 7 months previously. Three cases were diagnosed on the basis of characteristic mite size and morphology in skin scraping from representative lesions, situated on the head (two cases) or head and distal hind limbs (one case). Mites were highly mobile and abundant in all instances, and easily detected also in skin biopsy specimens procured from two cases. Eosinophilic inflammation, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis were prominent in the tissue sections. In the remaining case, the diagnosis was presumptive, based on characteristic lesions, cohabitation with a canine scabies patient and positive response to scabicide therapy. Pruritus was not a prominent clinical feature in any patient and was considered to be absent in three of the four cases. Lesions in three cats with long-standing disease were reminiscent of crusted scabies (synonym: Norwegian scabies, parakeratotic scabies) as seen in human patients. In three cases, in-contact human carriers developed itchy cutaneous papular lesions. Two cases responded promptly to therapy with systemic avermectin drugs, while one responded to topical treatment with lime sulphur and the remaining cat received both a lime sulphur rinse and ivermectin. Sarcoptic mange should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cats with non-pruritic crusting skin diseases, especially when there is contact with foxes or dogs, and when owners have itchy papular lesions.

Nine horses from ages 5 to 21 years were diagnosed with cutaneous equine sarcoidosis (ES) over an 18-year period. In addition to skin, the lungs were frequently involved, with other organ systems affected less commonly. A predisposition for thoroughbreds and geldings was noted. Cutaneous lesions and signs included crusts, scales, alopecia and pruritus. These were found at various sites, particularly the legs/thighs/elbows, thorax, neck, face and ventral abdomen. Three horses were euthanized shortly after hospitalization; others survived as long as 12 years. Histopathologic stains, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction assays on paraffin-embedded cutaneous specimens from eight horses for Mycobacterium spp., Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, and Borrelia burgdorferi were all negative. The aetiology of ES is unlikely microbial and continues to be a diagnosis of exclusion. ES, when limited to the skin, is associated with a good prognosis, with either partial or complete response to glucocorticoid therapy in all the surviving horses.

Twenty horses with pemphigus foliaceus were seen over a period of 15 years in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. Breeds seen were seven quarterhorses, five thoroughbreds, three cross-bred horses, two Arabians and one of each of the following: standardbred, Tennessee walker and warmblood. There was no breed, age or sex predisposition. Nine were mares, ten were geldings and one was a stallion. Ages ranged from 2.5 months to 25 years, with a mean of 8.6 years. Sixteen (80%) of the pemphigus foliaceus horses first exhibited signs between September and February. There was a statistically significant more common occurrence of pemphigus foliaceus during those months. Signs in the four other horses were first noted in March, May or June. Three of those horses were < 13 months of age. Oedema (14/20) and crusts (13/20) were the most common lesions. Pain was present in 9/20 horses, pruritus in 7/20 and pyrexia in 7/20. Follow-up was available for 13 horses. Five of these horses were euthanased. In three horses the reason for euthanasia was laminitis secondary to treatment. Four horses remained lesion-free after medication was discontinued. Two horses required maintenance medication and are doing well at the time of writing.

Data on fifty horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA; "hyperelastosis cutis") were collected on clinical, histopathological, ultrastructural and immunohistological findings. All horses were Quarter horses or of Quarter horse ancestry. Pedigree evaluation strongly supported an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The most common lesions were seromas/haematomas, open wounds, sloughing skin, and loose, easily tented skin that did not return to its initial position. Definitive diagnosis could not be made via histopathology, although the presence of tightly grouped thin and shortened collagen fibres arranged in clusters in the deep dermis was suggestive of the disease. Trichrome, acid orcein-Giemsa and immunohistochemical stains for collagens I and III showed no consistent abnormalities compared to control horses; an increase in elastic fibres was not a consistent finding. Electron microscopy showed no abnormalities in the periodicity of the collagen bundles; neither orientation nor variation of cross-section diameter of the collagen fibrils differentiated control from affected horses. The diagnosis of HERDA relies on clinical presentation, but may be supported by suggestive (although not pathognomonic) histopathological lesions.

Clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features of cutaneous lymphocytosis, an uncommon disease histologically resembling well-differentiated malignant lymphoma, were characterized in 23 cats. Clinical outcome was correlated with histomorphology and immunophenotype in an attempt to predict benign vs. malignant behaviour. The disease mainly affected older cats. Lesions were solitary in 61% of cats and often characterized by alopecia (73.9%), as well as erythema, scaling and ulceration. The lateral thorax was most commonly affected (43.5%). Pruritus was frequent (65.2%). Systemic signs included anorexia and weight loss. Morphologically, lesions were characterized by dermal infiltrations of well-differentiated CD3+ T-cells (100%) and aggregates of CD79+ B-cells (64.3%). Cutaneous lymphocytosis is slowly progressive and relatively benign, although in some cats systemic signs led to euthanasia. Four of 12 euthanized cats and one live cat also had lymphoid infiltrates in internal organs. Unfortunately, we were unable to predict clinical outcome by histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of skin lesions.

Background Between 2000 and 2012, nine cats were examined with a visually distinctive, progressive crusting dermatitis that was poorly responsive to all attempted therapies. Objectives Documentation of clinical and histopathological findings of this disease. Animals Nine privately owned cats. Methods Retrospective study. Results Eight neutered males and one (presumably spayed) female ranging in age from two to eight years, presented for a progressive, well-demarcated, crusting dermatitis with variable pruritus of 1.5 months to five years duration. All cats lived in northern California, USA; seven lived within a 30 mile radius. Two males were littermates. Histopathological investigation showed both parakeratotic and orthokeratotic crusts, intraepidermal pustules and superficial folliculitis with rare to frequent acantholytic cells. Bacterial and fungal cultures were performed in six cats: meticillin-susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was isolated in three cats, two colonies of Trichophyton terrestre and three of Malassezia pachydermatis were isolated from one cat each. Treatment with various antibiotics, antifungal and a variety of immunosuppressive medications did not alter the progressive nature of the skin disease. Conclusions and clinical importance The described disease shares some clinical and histopathological features with pemphigus foliaceus, but the lack of response to treatment, its progressive nature and the possible relatedness of some of the cats set it apart. The aetiology of this acantholytic dermatitis remains unknown.

Forty-one cases of zinc-responsive dermatosis in the dog are described. The Siberian husky was the predominant breed affected. Periocular crusts were the most common clinical sign and parakeratosis was noted in the skin biopsy specimens of all dogs. Treatment with oral zinc ameliorated the clinical signs in most dogs, but cases necessitating other treatments such as parenteral zinc or retinoids are reported. The authors recommend a starting dose of 2-3 mg kg-1 elemental zinc per day in the treatment of this disorder.

Two-hundred shelter cats from the Pacific western coastal USA were sampled in four different geographical regions to determine the fungal organisms most commonly found on the hair coat and the prevalence of these organisms. Data on the cats' health, age, hair coat length, gender, and geographical location were collected and analysed. The overall prevalence of dermatophytosis was 5.5% (11 of 200 cats), with Microsporum canis isolated in 90.9% (10 of 11) of the samples from positive cats. This was a lower isolation rate or prevalence of dermatophytes than previous studies conducted on shelter cats in other regions of the USA. Ten of 11 of the cats were lesion free (either subclinical infection or mechanical carriage). Cats in the Los Angeles, California area (P = 0.001) and neutered male cats (P = 0.047) had a higher prevalence of a positive dermatophyte culture. The numbers and types of saprophytes isolated from cats in this study were found to be consistent with previous feline reports in the USA and with an equine study previously conducted in this area.

The fluoroquinolones are a group of antibiotics with considerable application for use in veterinary dermatology. They are rapidly bactericidal against a wide variety of clinically important organisms including Staphylococcus intermedius and gram-negative enteric bacilli by virtue of interference with the supercoiling of bacterial chromosomal material. Their favourable pharmacokinetic features make them applicable in many animal species, and in a range of dose formulations. The only major clinical contraindication is that fluoroquinolones should not be given to young, rapidly growing dogs as they can induce a noninflammatory, erosive arthropathy. For many years the only veterinary-labelled fluoroquinolone available was enrofloxacin. The selection of a fluoroquinolone has become more complex now that there are more choices available. Orbifloxacin, difloxacin and marbofloxacin now join enrofloxacin on the veterinary market, although not all of these are licensed in every country. The use of fluoroquinolones in dermatology remains controversial. The authors recommend that fluoroquinolones be considered in circumstances where canine pyoderma has been refractory to appropriate 'first line' antibiotics. They are most useful in the management of recurrent pyoderma and in chronic, deep pyoderma with extensive scar tissue. In addition, fluouroquinolones frequently are the drugs of choice for canine ear infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objective To compare serum and skin surface IgA concentrations from atopic and normal dogs. Procedure IgA concentrations in sera and skin washings of 20 clinically normal dogs that had no history of pruritus or skin disease were compared to those obtained in 20 dogs with a diagnosis of atopy determined by history, clinical examination and positive intradermal skin test. Results There was no significant difference in the mean serum IgA concentration in normal dogs (252 ± 187 mg/L) versus atopic animals (314 ± 327). When skin washings from all sites in both groups were compared, atopic dogs had significantly greater concentrations of IgA in their skin washings than normal dogs as evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the individual sites of the skin washings of atopic and normal dogs. Conclusion IgA concentrations of skin washings in atopic dogs were greater than in normal dogs. Further investigations need to determine if the greater concentrations were caused by nonspecific inflammation or by secretion of allergen-specific IgA onto the skin surface.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was diagnosed in a 9-year-old castrated male Persian cat. The cat described is the first to fulfil four of 11 American Rheumatism Association criteria for the diagnosis of SLE in humans (symmetrical facial dermatitis, thrombocytopenia, positive antinuclear antibodies, oral ulceration) with supportive skin histopathology. Haematological abnormalities included a mild anaemia and severe thrombocytopenia. Skin disease consisted of symmetrical multifocal alopecia with crusting, predominantly on the face. Histopathology of the skin revealed interface dermatitis and interface folliculitis with follicular atrophy. Complete remission was obtained with corticosteroid therapy.

Six adult dogs were presented with an unusual bullous dermatosis affecting the glabrous skin of the ventral abdomen and medial thighs. Clinically, flaccid bullae were accompanied by erythema, ulceration, haemorrhage and hyperpigmentation in four of six dogs; the remaining two dogs had thin skin without grossly apparent bullae. Histologically, subepidermal bullae and clefting, vascular proliferation and dilatation (phlebectasia), and alteration in the density and staining of superficial dermal collagen were seen in all dogs. In all cases, corticosteroid-containing topical products had been applied to the affected areas prior to the development of the dermatosis; skin lesions resolved when topical corticosteroids were withdrawn. Follow-up biopsy of three dogs showed resolution of the previously abnormal collagen and subepidermal clefting. Residual lesions included phlebectasia, comedones and hyperpigmentation. The authors postulate that subepidermal clefting was due to local, corticosteroid-induced skin fragility. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of bullous skin disease in dogs resulting from topical corticosteroid therapy.

A paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancy is reported in four cats. Acute, bilaterally symmetrical, ventral glistening alopecia, weight loss and lethargy were present in all cats. Skin biopsy specimens exhibited severe follicular and adnexal atrophy with follicular miniaturization, minimal inflammation and, in many cases, absence of stratum corneum. At the time of diagnosis, three cats had a metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and one had a bile duct carcinoma. This report confirms, and expands upon the previous report of a syndrome associating ventral alopecia and metastatic visceral carcinomas in cats. Resume— Une alopecie paraneoplasique associee a une tumeur interne maligne est observee sur 4 chats. Les symptomes sont caracterises par une alopecie symetrique et bilaterale sur le ventre avec un aspect brillant et lisse, un amaigrissement, une lethargic Les lesions histopathologiques sont caracterisees par une atrophie folliculaire et annexielle avec des petits follicules pileux, une inflammation dermique discrete et dans beaucoup de cas, une absence du stratum corneum. Trois chats presentent un adenocarcinome pancreatique metastase et un chat un cholangiocarcinome. Ces cas confirment l'existence d'un syndrome associant une alopecie ventrale et des carcinomes visceraux metastatiques chez le chat. [Pascal-Tenorio, A., Olivry, T., Gross, T. L., Atlee, B. A., Ihrke, P. J. Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancies in the cat. (Alopecie paraneoplasique associee a des tumeurs malignes internes chez le chat.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 47–52.] Resumen Se describe en cuatro gatos una alopecia paraneoplasica asociada a procesos malignos internos. Todos los gatos presentaban una alopecia bilateral, simetrica, ventral, de aspecto brillante, perdida de peso y letargia. Las biopsias cutaneas mostraron atrofia folicular y adnexal marcada, miniaturizacion de foliculos, inflamacion minima y, en muchos casos, ausencia del estrato corneo. En el momento del diagnostico, tres de los gatos tenian un adenocarcinoma metastatico y uno tenia un carcinoma de conducto biliar. Este articulo confirma y amplia un informe previo sobre el sindrome de alopecia ventral y carcinomas viscerales metastaticos en gatos. [Pascal-Tenorio, A., Olivry, T., Gross, T. L., Atlee, B. A., Ihrke, P. J. Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancies in the cat. (Alopecia paraneoplasica asociada a procesos malignos internos en el gato.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 47–52.] Zusammenfassung— Es wird uber eine paraneoplastische Alopezie in Verbindung mit inneren malignen Prozessen bei vier Katzen berichtet. Bei alien Katzen traten eine akute bilateral symmetrische ventrale Alopezie, Gewichtsverlust und Lethargie auf. Die Hautbiopsien zeigten eine schwere follikulare und adnexale Atrophie mit follikularer Miniaturisation, geringer Entzundung und in vielen Fallen ein Fehlen des Stratum corneum. Zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnose litten drei Katzen an einem metastasierenden Adenokarzinom des Pankreas und eine Katze an einem Gallengangskarzinom. Dieser Bericht erhartet und erweitert den fruheren Bericht uber ein Syndrom, das ventrale Alopezie in Verbindung mit metastasierenden Eingeweidekarzinomen bei der Katze beschreibt. (Paraneoplastische Alopezie in Verbindung mit inneren malignen Prozessen bei der Katze.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 47–52.]

Background Rabbits are growing in popularity as companion animals, and dermatology problems are often the presenting complaint when seeing a veterinarian. Hypothesis/Objectives To document skin diseases and their prevalence in pet domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in northern California, USA; to investigate predilections for breed, age or sex for the most common conditions over a 20 year period. Animals Three hundred and thirty-four pet rabbits from the overall hospital population met inclusion criteria. Methods A retrospective study was carried out by searching the computerized medical records of rabbits seen at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) from 1 January 1984 to 31 December 2004 using key words relevant to dermatology. Results Twenty-nine per cent of pet rabbits seen at the VMTH had skin disease. Lop-eared rabbits were over-represented, whereas mixed-breed rabbits and castrated males were under-represented in the dermatology caseload compared with the hospital population. Pododermatitis was the most common skin disease; abscesses, alopecia, otitis externa and ectoparasites also were common. Several species of bacteria other than Pasteurella spp. were isolated from abscesses. Despite the frequent mention of myxomatosis and venereal spirochetosis in the rabbit literature, few cases (three and two, respectively) were diagnosed. Castrated males were 3.7 times more likely to present with alopecia than intact males; rabbits

A pruritic maculopapular eruption with clinical and histological features similar to urticaria pigmentosa of humans is reported in three related Sphinx cats. All cats shared the same grandsire, had a juvenile onset of disease, and demonstrated similar historical, clinical and histological findings. Physical examination revealed widespread bilaterally symmetrical, erythematous, partially coalescing, crusted macules and papules on the trunk, limbs, neck and head. A few macules exhibited a dark brown pigmentation. Dermatographism could not be elicited in any of the cats. Histological examination of papules revealed the presence of a perivascular to diffuse dermal and subcutaneous infiltrate of well-differentiated mast cells. In one cat where systemic involvement was pursued, evidence of internal disease was not found. Resumen Se describe en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados una erupcion maculopapular pruritica con caracteristicas clinicas e histologicas similares a la urticaria pigmentosa en la especie humana. Todos los gatos compartian el mismo abuelo, desarrollaron la enfermedad en edad juvenil y mostraron hallazgos historicos, clinicos e histologicos similares. El examen fisico mostro papulas y maculas costrosas, eritematosas, parcialmente unidas, generalizadas, bilaterales y simetricas localizadas en tronco, extremidades, cuello y cabeza. Algunas maculas mostraban una pigmentacion marronacea oscura. No pudo provocarse dermatografismo en ninguno de los gatos. El examen histologico de las papulas mostro la presencia de un infiltrado dermico y subcutaneo perivascular a difuso compuesto por mastocitos bien diferenciados. No se encontro enfermedad sistemica en un animal en el que se evaluo esta posibilidad. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaria pigmentosa felina en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 227–233.] Resume Les auteurs decrivent chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentes une eruption maculopapuleuse presentant des similitudes cliniques et histologiques avec l'urticaire pigmentaire humaine. Les 3 chats ont le meme grandpere, presentent une apparition precoce des symptomes, et, une anamnese, une clinique et une histologie similaires. L'examen clinique revele des macules et des papules crouteuses a large distribution bilaterale et symetrique, erythemateuses, partiellement coalescentes, sur le tronc, les membres, le cou et la tete. Quelques macules montrent une pigmentation brun fonce. La presence d'un dermographisme n'a pu etre demontre chez aucun des chats. L'examen histologique des papules revele la presence d'un infiltrat dermique et sous cutane perivasculaire a diffus de mastocytes bien differencies. La recherche d'une atteinte systemique chez un des chats n'a pas montre d'atteinte interne. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaire pigmentaire feline chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentes.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 227–233.] Zusammenfassung Es wird uber eine juckende makulopapulare Eruption mit klinischen und histologischen Befunden, die der Urticaria pigmentosa des Menschen ahneln, bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen berichtet. Alle Katzen hatten den selben Grosvater, zeigten einen Krankheitsbeginn im Jugendalter und wiesen ahnliche Befunde in der Vorgeschichte, Klinik und Histologie auf. Die klinische Untersuchung zeigte weit verteilte, bilateral symmetrische, erythematose, teilweise koaleszierende verkrustete Maculae und Papeln am Rumpf, Gliedmasen, Hais und Kopf. Einige maculae wiesen eine dunkelbraune Pigmentierung auf. Dermatographismus konnte bei keiner der Katzen ausgelost werden. Die histologische Untersuchung der Papeln zeigte die Anwesenheit eines perivaskularen bis diffusen dermalen und subkutanen Infiltrates von gut differenzierten Mastzellen. Bei einer Katze mit systemischen Erscheinungen konnte die Ursache der inneren Erkrankung nicht gefunden werden. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats (Feline Urticaria pigmentosa bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 227–233.]

Resume— Une urtricaire due a la diethylcarbamazine associee a une dermite prurigineuse a ete suspectee chez un chien mâle castre croise Retriever. L'animal presentait des lesions d'urticaire multiples qui avaient tendance a fusionner au niveau des paupieres, des levres, les conques auriculaires et du prepuce. Les biopsies cutanees ont revele un infiltrat perivasculaire et periannexiel intense riche en polynucleaires eosinophiles. Parfois les polynuclaires eosinophiles etaient “degranules” ou presentaient des formes “en flamme”. La suppression de l'administration de diethylcarbamazine a ete suivie d'une disparission rapide de toutes les lesions cutanees. L'hypothese d'une reaction immune a la diethylcarbamazine est proposee. [Vitale, C. B., Ihrke, P. J., Gross, T. L. Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced uticaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in a dog. (Probable urticaire et dermite eosinophilique induites par la diethylcarbamazine chez un chien). Resumen— Se describe el caso de un perro macho castrado, cruzado de retriever que presentaba una dermatitis pruritica con urticaria supuestamente inducida por dietilcarbamacina. El perro mostraba multiples habones, principalmente alrededor de los ojos, la boca, los pabellones auriculares y el prepucio. El estudio histologico mostro un infiltrado perivascular y perianexal, con predominancia de eosinofilos. Ocasionalmente los eosinofilos degranulaban formando “figuras en llama”. La retirada de la terapia con dietilcarbamacina fue seguida por una mejoria rapida y espectacular de todas las lesiones cutaneas. Se postula una reaccion adversa a la dietilcarbamacina mediada por factores inmunologicos. [Vitale, C. B., Ihrke, P. J. and Gross, T. L. Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced urticaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in a dog (Urticaria con dermatitis eosinofilica supuestamente inducida por dietilcarbamacina en un perro). Zusammenfassung— Es wird uber eine vermutlich Diethylcarbamazin-verursachte Urtikaria mit Juckreiz bei einem mannlich-kastrierten Retrievermischling berichtet. Der Hund wies generalisiert multifokale Striemen auf, die dazu tendierten um Augen, Mund, Ohrmuscheln und Praputium zusammenzulaufen. Die Hautbiopsie zeigte ein starkes perivaskulares und periadenxales Infiltrat mit vorwiegend eosinophilen Granulozyten. Gelegentlich degranulierten die Eosinophilen zu “Flammenform”. Das Absetzen von Diethylcarbamazin fuhrte zu einer dramatischen und raschen Abheilung aller Hautveranderungen. Es wird eine immunologischvermittelte Arzneimittelreaktion auf Diethylcarbamazin vermutet. [Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced utricaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in dogs (Vermutlich Diethylcarbamazin-verursachte Urtikaria mit eosinophiler Dermatitis beim Hund). Abstract— A suspected diethylcarbamazine-induced urticarial dermatitis with associated pruritus is reported in a castrated male mixed breed retriever. The dog had generalized multifocal wheals that tended to cluster around the eyes, mouth, pinnae, and prepuce. Skin biopsy revealed an intense perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate with eosinophils predominating. On occasion, eosinophils degranulated to form “flame figures”. Withdrawal of diethylcarbamazine resulted in dramatic and rapid resolution of all skin lesions. An immunologically mediated adverse drug reaction to diethylcarbamazine is proposed.

— Generalized congenital hypotrichosis is reported in a female Rottweiler. This is only the second report of this genodermatosis in a female dog. The dog was predominately hairless except for bilaterally symmetric tufts of hair on the head, dorsal midline and umbilical region. Most skin biopsy sections revealed a total lack of epidermal appendages representing a complete failure of follicular development. Occasionally, small rudimentary follicular structures were subtended by melanophages and vertically oriented collagen suggesting the possibility of previously more extensive development followed by subsequent involution. According to a new classification scheme for ectodermal dysplasia proposed by Dr Carol Foil, this dog would be classified as 1–4 defect, cogenital hypotrichosis. Resume— Une hypotrischose congenitale generalisee chez une chienne Rotweiler est rapportee. Il s'agit du second cas de cette genodermatose decrit chez une chienne. Le chien etait nu exception faite de touffe de poils sur les flancs et la tete, la ligne du dos et la region ombilicale. La plupart des biopsies ont revele une absence totale d'annexe et de developpment folliculaire. Parfois quelques structures folliculaires rudimentaires etaient subtentes par la presence de melanophages et une orientation verticale des fibres de collagene. En suivant la nouvelle classification des dysplasies ectodermiques proposee par le Dr Carol Foil, cet animal a ete classe en hypotrychose congenitale de defaut 1–4. Resumen En este articulo se describe un caso de hipotricosis congenita de tipo generalizado en una hembra de la raza Rottweiler. Este es el segundo caso de genodermatosis reportado en una perra. Este animal padecia de una perdida de pelo general exceptuando algunas mechas aisladas en la cabeza, linea media dorsal y region umbilical, de una manera bilateral y simetrica. La mayoria de las biopsias cutaneas revelaron una falta total de apendices cutaneos, lo cual representaba una fallo completo en en desarrollo del foliculo. De manera esporadica, se observaron estructuras foliculares rudimentarias invadidas de melanofagos y con fibras de colageno orientadas verticalmente sugiriendo la posibilidad de desarrollo previo mas extensivo seguido de posterior involucion. De acuerdo con la nueva clasificacion de displasia ectodermica propuesta por Foil, este animal seria clasificado con un defecto de 1–4 de hipotricosis congenital.

A third-generation fluoroquinolone, pradofloxacin (PRA), is currently being developed to treat bacterial infections in dogs. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy in 20 dogs affected with superficial and deep pyoderma. An initial aerobic skin culture was performed in dogs with superficial pyoderma; aerobic/anaerobic tissue culture was performed in dogs with deep pyoderma; and skin cytology and biopsies were obtained from all dogs. Pradofloxacin (approximately 3 mg/kg per os [PO]) was administered daily to all dogs. Clinical efficacy was recorded at 4 weeks for dogs with superficial pyoderma and at 3 and 6 weeks for dogs with deep pyoderma. At a mean dosage of 3.7 mg/kg PO once daily, PRA treatment resulted in an excellent to good clinical response within 3 to 6 weeks for all 20 dogs with superficial and deep pyoderma.

Cutaneous vasculitis was identified by histopathological findings in 72 equines. The most frequent clinical findings were crusts/scales and oedema of the legs with the most common underlying disease being photo-aggravated dermatitis. Common laboratory findings were anaemia, neutrophilia, hyperglycaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Histopathological patterns were most commonly cell-poor and lymphocytic/histiocytic. While statistically supported treatment recommendations could not be made due to the large numbers of confounding factors, trimethoprim-sulfa antibiotics, corticosteroids, and/or resolution or control of the underlying disease process were the most common treatment modalities.

The relationship between skin pigmentation and piliation and the development of hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue was studied in 212 dogs. These 212 dogs had a combined total of 306 tumors; 38 of these 212 dogs had two or more of the same tumor in a different location or a combination of hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma. The average age of the dogs at the time of excision of these tumors was greater than 10 years. There was no sex predilection for the presence or absence of tumors. Cutaneous hemangiomas (73%) were more common than cutaneous hemangiosarcomas (27%). Hemangiomas had no predilection for dermis (51%) or subcutaneous tissue (47%), but hemangiosarcomas had a marked predilection for dermis (73%) over subcutaneous tissue (7%). Dogs with short hair coats and lightly pigmented skin had more hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas of the dermis (65%) than did dogs with variable length hair coats and pigmentation (28%). Dogs with short hair coats and lightly pigmented skin had fewer hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas of the subcutaneous tissue (10%) than did dogs with variable length hair coats and pigmentation (22%). Dogs with short hair coats and lightly pigmented skin also had more hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas of ventral glabrous skin (65%) than did dogs with variable length hair coats and pigmentation (22%). In addition, there was no predilection of subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma for haired (33%) versus glabrous (33%) skin, but dermal hemangiosarcoma had a marked predilection for the glabrous skin (63%) when compared with haired skin (10%). The increased incidence of dermal hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas in ventral glabrous skin suggests an association between solar radiation and the biologic properties of glabrous skin in the genesis of these tumors.

— An 8 year old intact female German shepherd dog was presented with well demarcated symmetric facial erosions, ulcerations and crusting. Systemic illness was absent, and oral involvement occurred only late in the course of the disease. Skin biopsy specimens revealed suprabasal acantholysis primarily involving hair follicles and direct immunofluorescent testing showed intercellular deposition of IgG in the epidermis compatible with a diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris. The clinical signs in this dog were not adequately controlled by immune suppression. Therapy with heparin alone, or combined with prednisolone, appeared to induce a transient remission. Resume— Une femelle Berger Allemand de 8 ans a ete presentee pour des lesions faciales bien circonscrites de la face: erosions, ulceres et croutes. 11 n'y avait pas d'atteinte de l'etat general et l'atteinte buccale n'est apparue qu'en fin d'evolution. L'examen de biopsies cutanees a revele la presence d'une acantholyse suprabasale atteignant primitivement les follicules pileux et l'immunofluorescence directe un depot intercellulaire d'IgG au niveau de l'epiderme, compatibles avec un diagnostic de pemphigus vulgaire. Les symptomes n'ont pas pu etre controles avec une therapeutique immunosuppressive. Un traitement a base d'heparine seule, ou associee a la prednisone, a permis d'obtenir une remission transitoire. Zusammenfassung— Eine 8 Jahre alte, unkastrierte Deutsche Schaferhundin wurde mit gut abgegrenzten symmetrischen Erosionen, Ulzera und Verkrustungen im Gesichtsbereich vorgestellt. Systemische Krankheitssymptome fehlten, Veranderungen im Mundhohlenbereich traten nur spat im Krankheitsverlauf auf. Hautbiopsieproacn zeigten eine suprabasale Akantholyse, die hauptsachlich die Haarfollikel betraf, die direktc immunfluoreszenzuntersuchung ergab cine interzellulare Ablagerung von IgG in der Epidermis: Befunde, die mit der Diagnose Pemphigus vulgaris uberenstimmen. Die klinischen Symptome bei diesem Hund konnten durch immunsuppression nicht adaquat kontrolliert werden. Eine Behandlung ausschlicslich mit Heparin oder Heparin in Kombination mit Prednisolon schien eine vorubergchende Abheilung zu induzieren. Resumen Una hembra intacta pastor aleman de 8 anos fue presentada con una erosion facial simetrica, ulceras y costras. El animal no sufria enfermedad sistemica y las lesiones orales ocurieron en el curso tardio de la enfermedad. La biopsia de la piel revelo acantolisis suprabasal localizada fundamentalmente en los foliculos pilosos, y un test de inmunofluorescencia directa demonstro deposicion intercelular de Tg G en la epidermis, compatible con la diagnosis de Pemphigus vulgaris. El cuadro clinico de este animal no se controlo por medio de terapia inmunosupresiva. El tratamiento con heparina sola, o combinada con prednisolona produjo una remision transitoria.

Background: Equine sarcoidosis is a rare, multisystemic, noncaseating, granulomatous and lymphoplasmacytic disease of unknown etiology. A recent report described a horse with granulomatous skin disease displaying histologic, electron microscopic, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings consistent with equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2). Objective: To investigate the presence of EHV-2 and equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in 8 horses with sarcoidosis. Animals: Eight horses with sarcoidosis, reported previously. Methods: Retrospective study. PCR assays of the tissues were performed to detect DNA associated with EHV-1 and EHV-2. For both herpesviruses the target was their respective glycoprotein B gene. Positive controls consisted of DNA from viral cultures of culturettes from naturally occurring respiratory infections of EHV-1 and EHV-2. Results: The PCR analyses for both equine herpesviruses' DNA were negative in all 8 horses. Conclusion: The failure to detect DNA from EHV-1 and EHV-2 in paraffin-embedded skin of these 8 horses does not discount EHV-1 or EHV-2 as causing some cases of ES, but lends support to the presumably multifactorial etiologic nature of the disease.

— The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenously administered tiletamine-zolazepam on the response of cats to intradermal injections of varying concentrations of histamine, thereby giving an indication of the feasibility of using tiletamine-zolazepam for the restraint of cats during intradermal skin testing. Ten cats were injected intradermally with increasing concentrations of histamine and a negative control before and after anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg.kg-1 intravenously). The wheals produced by the eight different concentrations of histamine (1:100,000 to 1:9,600,000) and the negative control before and after anesthesia were compared in each cat. There was no significant difference in the response to the intradermal histamine injections before and after anesthesia. It was concluded that 4 mg.kg-1 of tiletaminezolazepame administered intravenously may be a good anesthetic choice for intradermal skin testing in cats. Resume— Le but de cette etude etait d'evaluer l'influence d'une injection intraveineuse de tiletamine-zolazepam sur la reponse de chats a des injections intradermiques de differentes concentration d'histamine, afin de savoir si une une anesthesie a l'aide de tiletamine-zolazepam etait utilisable pour faire des tests cutanes chez le chat. Des concentrations croissantes d'histamine et un temoin negative ont ete injectes par voie intradermique a dix chats avant et apres injection IV de tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg/kg). Le diametre des papules aux neufs concentrations differentes d'histamine (1:100 000, 1:2 800 000, 1:4 800 000 et 1:9 600 000) et au temoin negatif ont ete compares pour chaque chat avant et apres aesthesie. Il n'existait de difference significative avant et apres anesthesie. Il a ete conclu qu'une anesthesie a l'aide de 5 mg IV de tiletamine-zolazepam etait utilisable pour effectuer des intradermoreactions chez le chat. Zusammenfassung— Ziel dieser Studie war die Austwertung der Wirkung von intravenos verabreichtem Tiletamin-Zolazepam auf die Reaktion von Katzen gegenuber intradermal injiziertem Histamin unter-schiedlicher Konzentrationen. So ergeben sich Hinweise auf die Eignung von Tiletamin-Zolazepan fur die Ruhigstellung von Katzen bei intradermalen Hauttests. Bei zehn Katzen wurde Histamin in steigenden konzentrationen zusammen mit einer Negativkontrolle intradermal vor und nach Anasthesie mit Tiletamin-Zolazepam (5 mg/kg intravenos) injiziert. Bei jeder Katze wurden die Negativkontrollen und die lokalen Schwellungen durch die neun verschiedenen Histaminkonzentrationen (1:100,000–1:9,600,000) vor und nach der Anasthesic verglichen. Es ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiedge in den Reaktionen auf intradermale Histamininjektionen vor und nach der Anasthesie. Daraus last sich schlusfolgern, das 5 mg Tiletamin-Zolazepam, intravenos verabreicht, eine gute Anasthesiemoglichkeit fur Hauttests bei Katzen darstellen. Resumen El presente reportaje tiene como objetivo el estudio de la administracion intravenosa de tiletamina-zolazepam en la respuesta de un grupo de gatos sometidos a la inyeccion intradermica de diferentes concentraciones de histamina, dando asi una indicacion de la utilidad de tiletamina-zolezopan para la inmobilizacion de gatos durante el test de la inyeccion intrdermica. Se inyectaron intradermicamente diez gatos con concentraciones crecientes de histamina y un control negativo, antes y despues de la anestesia producida con tiletamina-zolazepam (5 mg/kg de forma intravenosa). Luego se comparon las ronchas producidas por las diferentes concentraciones de histamina (1:100,000–1:9,600,000) y el control negativo, antes y despues de la anestesia. No hubo diferencia significativa en la respuesta a la inyeccion intradermica de histamina antes o despues de la anestesia. Asi, se concluyo que la administracion de 5 mg de tiletamina-zolazepam de forma intravenosa podria ser un anestetico satisfactorio en el test intradermico llevado a cabo en gatos.