This book is part of the Servet Clinical Guides collection, in which each volume compiles the most relevant material on the subject matter covered. This volume focuses on dermatology and is centered on the management of allergic patients. This new collection was created with the objective of helping veterinary surgeons during consultations and providing them with useful information to establish a good relationship with clients. The goal is to give answers to owners’ most frequently asked questions in order to guide them in the best possible manner, as well as to help veterinary surgeons ensure owners complete the patients’ prescribed treatments and maintain effective clinical monitoring of all processes.

Authors:

GUSTAVO MACHICOTE GOTH

Degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Veterinary clinician with a focus on dermatology at the Vilanova veterinary clinic (Vilanova de Arousa, Pontevedra, Spain) since 1990. Head of the dermatology referral service DERMAPET, consultant in the Dermatology Service at Clínica Veterinaria Fauna, Pontevedra. Full member of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD). Dermatology training from the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS).

Key Features:

➜ Clinical case studies included.

➜ Practical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.

➜ Useful information to establish a good relationship with clients.

Table of Contents:

Read me first

1. Clinic consultation

What does the owner notice first?

History to guide diagnosis

What leads to clinical suspicion of allergy?

Predisposing factors

Common and rare clinical signs in cats and dogs

Pruritus: key sign in the allergic patient

Protocol for clinical examination

The importance of an overall health assessment

Dermatological assessment

The allergic dog: gross patterns

The allergic cat: reaction patterns

2. Diagnostic protocols

How to make presumptive diagnoses

Differential diagnosis

Laboratory tests

Use of a fine comb or brush

Adhesive tape

Impression cytology

Skin scraping

Trichography

Fine-needle sampling and cytology

Wood’s lamp

Cultures and antibiotic sensitivity tests

Diagnostic criteria of allergies

Search for and confirmation of allergens

3. Communication with clients

Goal for clients: 100 % comprehension

How to educate clients

Management of different owner attitudes

Characteristics of each kind of owner

Difficult situations for the owner related to

allergic dermatology

4. Treatment protocols

Management of acute or initial episodes of

the disease

Searching for triggers

Use of antiseptics

Shampoo therapy

Diet

Control of pruritus

Maintenance of the controlled patient

Immunotherapy

5. Recommendations for the

owner: follow-up

The importance of diet

Shampoo therapy and hydration therapy

The importance of avoiding skin parasites

General preventive measures

6. Case studies: experience-based

medicine

Case study 1. Feline hypersensitivity

History

Patient signalment

Important questions to ask the owner when

obtaining a history

Analysis of the questions

Diagnostic approach

Differential diagnoses

Discussion

Clinical course

Chronic cases. Refractory atopy

Information from the history

Thorough examination

7. Further information

Most common complications in dogs with

allergy

Cutaneous xerosis

Most common types of allergic pyoderma

Otitis

Important points on otitis

Malassezia overgrowth

Most common complications in allergic cats

Endocrine disorders and advanced age as

aggravating factors in allergies

Alphabetical index

Bibliography