For Vets
Aberdeen clinics
Silvia Auxilia joined the practice in January 2007 and is available to see dermatology cases 2 days a week,
Wednesdays and Fridays at Town and Country Veterinary Group, 91 North Deeside Rd, Bieldside, Aberdeen. Silvia is a Diplomate of theEuropean College of Veterinary Dermatology and a recognised European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology.
To refer a case to Silvia,
please call the Glasgow clinic on 0141 427 4257.
Continuing Education
As well as providing a referral service for those problem cases, we are also devloping a programme of continuing
education for both vets and vet nurses. Our recent series of cytology courses run by Peter and Hilary at Paisley Road West were fun,
and well received both by attending veterinarians and veterinary nurses. We are planning to do something similar during the winter
of 2008-2009 and will be sending out more details later this summer.
Referring cases
Our aim is to try and make the process of case referral as hassle free for you as possble. If you would like to refer
a case, please download a case referral form from the link below then fax or email the completed form to Steph at the practice. She
will then contact the owner directly to arrange the appointment and let you know when the appointment has been made. Please feel free
to call or email us if you would like to discuss the case prior to referral.
The case history faxed to the practice on 01414279915
is very much appreciated as are any blood test results and previous biopsy reports.
Larger animals
All animals get skin disease. We are happy to see horses and ruminants with problem skin. Since four legged companions
have difficulty negotiating our steps, please call us to arrange for a visit.
Client leaflets
On occasion, despite good advice, some clients are reluctant to consider referral. This reluctance may be due to a
number of concerns including cost, travel and the thought of further investigation. Our client leaflet attempts to address these
concerns and we have had some good feedback from practices. Please call or email Steph if you would like further supplies of these
leaflets Any feedback on these leaflets is much appreciated.
Case study
A three year old neutered female West Highland White terrier was presented with an eighteen month history of severe, non-seasonal pruritus
and self trauma.
She had been diagnosed as atopic a year previously on the basis of a positive IgE Environmental ELISA panel (house
dust mites) and treated with immunotherapy with no response.
On examination, there was extensive alopecia, with marked excoriation
and severe chronic skin changes. Differential diagnosis included demodicosis, scabies, Malassezia dermatitis, pyoderma, and atopic
dermatitis (involving environmental and / or food allergens).
Many Malassezia organisms and cocci were found on cytology and treatment
was started with systemic and topical antibacterial therapy along with three times weekly miconazole / chlorhexidine shampoos.
In addiiton, trial scabies therapy was started with fortnightly applications of selamectin. A restricted diet trial was
also started, on this occasion feeding a home cooked novel protein and carbohydrate source.
There was a significant imrpovement after
only three weeks but after two months, all signs of pruriuts had completely resolved and there was hair regrowth (see photgraphs).
Challenge with the original diet resulted in a marked increase in pruritus within 48 hours followed by further improvement on re-institution
of the restricted diet confirming the involvement of food allergens. This dog has continued to do well on a combination of immunotherapy
and a selected protein diet.
This case highlights the importance of not making a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis based solely on the
results of an IgE ELISA. These are not diagnostic tests and should only be used to select allergens for immunotherapy. As can be seen,
a positive test does not rule out the involvement of food allergens.
We are often asked whether cases should have a diet trial before
they are referred. To be honest, we prefer to see cases before the diet trial is undertaken. We spend considerable time discussing
the importance of a diet trial with the client and give very specific instructions on what may or may not be fed during the trial
and we are sure that this improves the chances of successfully completing the trial.
Following eight week diet trial
Some useful links