DERMATOLOGY TERMS

NAME DESCRIPTION FURTHER CLASSIFICATION

Flat, circumscribed area < 1 cm in Erythematous
MACULE diameter Hyperpigmented (melanotic)
Hemorrhagic
Flat, circumscribed area > 1 cm in
PATCH
diameter
Solid elevation of the skin < 1 cm in Normal color
diameter Erythematous
PAPULE Hyperpigmented
Crusted
Eroded
PLAQUE Coalescing papules
Small elevation of the epidermis which is Follicular
PUSTULE filled with pus Non-follicular
Pan-follicular
Small elevation of the skin which is filled
VESICLE
with clear fluid and < 1 cm diameter
Elevation of skin filled with clear fluid, > 1
BULLA
cm diameter
Well circumscribed, raised lesion (dermal
WHEAL
edema)
Solid elevation > 1 cm in diameter Epidermal
Inflammatory or neoplastic Epidermal-dermal
NODULE/TUMOR
Dermal
Subcutaneous
Redness of the skin Generalized
ERYTHEMA
Will blanch on diascopy Patchy
Ring of lifted keratin in a centripetal
EPIDERMAL COLLARETTE
manner. Ruptured pustule or vesicle
EROSION Defect extends into the epidermis only
Defect extends past the basement
ULCER
membrane into the dermis
FISSURE Linear ulcer
EXCORIATION Self-induced erosion
Thickening of the skin, common in the
LICHENIFICATION
glabrous regions
Area of fibrous tissue that has replaced
SCAR
damage dermis or SQ tissue
Lack of hair where it is normally present Complete
ALOPECIA Partial (hypotrichosis)
Patchy
“Dandruff,” loose fragment of stratum
SCALE
corneum visible to naked eye
Plug of keratinaceous debris
FOLLICULAR CAST
Adherent to the base of the hair shaft
CAST Accumulation of dried exudate, blood,
 cells, hairs – adhered to the skin
Dilated hair follicle full of keratinaceous
COMEDONE
material, “blackhead”
HYPERPIGMENTATION Increased pigment (melanin) on skin
HYPOPIGMENTATION/ Loss/lack of pigmentation
DEPIGMENTATION
LEUKODERMA White skin
LEUKOTRICHIA Loss of pigment in hair, white hair

 PYOTRAUMATIC DERMATITIS = hot spots

• Make a table of specific age of onset for diseases

• Which diseases have a specific age and breed
• Pick out diseases make your pruritic and non-pruritic
CANINE FOCAL-MULTIFOCAL ALOPECIA
DDx: Classification Age of Onset Pruritic?
Superficial pyoderma Variable, mild to
Bacterial folliculitis
Deep pyoderma moderate to severe
Localized canine Juvenile: 3-6 months Non-Pruritic
demodicosis
Juvenile (3 months to 2 Minimal (unless 2 lesions
Generalized canine
years) or adult (>2 present)
demodicosis
years)
Common < 1 year old; Variable, usually low
Dermatophytosis
Yorkshire terriers
*** These are the 3 causes of folliculitis in a dog

DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO THE PRURITIC DOG

 Category: DDx: Distribution Age of Onset Pruritic Level
Sarcoptic mange Ear margins, legs, All dogs Severe pruritus (9
ZOONOTIC elbows, hocks, or 10/10)
Ectoparasites ventrum
Cheyletiellosis
Fleas
Flea allergy dermatitis Lumbosacral area Severe pruritus
(Ctenocephalides felis and caudal half of
felis) body (“pants”)
Atopic dermatitis Face, ears, 6 months and 6 years *** Main clinical
(CAD) extremities, paws, sign is pruritus
Environmental and abdomen Boxer, shar-pei,
dalmatian, English Dx made by
Allergic Otitis externa, bulldog, setter, Boston EXCLUSION
dermatitis conjunctivitis, Terrier, Cairn Terrier,
pyotraumatic Scottish Terrier, WHW
dermatitis Terrier, Yorkshire
Terrier, Labrador, GSD
Cutaneous adverse Face, neck, < 1 year and > 6 years Non-seasonal
food reaction (CAFR) abdomen, perianal pruritus
and perioral
Otitis externa
Malassezia dermatitis Skin, claw folds, Marked pruritus
mucocutaneous (hypersensitivity)
2 Infectious
junctions, ear
diseases
canals
Bacterial folliculitis

 CAFR and CAD are clinically indistinguishable

CANINE FOOD ALLERGY (CUTANEOUS ADVERSE FOOD REACTIONS)
TYPE DESCRIPTION OFFENDING ALLERGENS
NO involvement of immune system Beef
Rxns are dose-dependent (ex. Chicken
Food intolerance
Histamine-rich foods) Soy
NEVER life threatening Dairy
INVOLVEMENT of immune system Corn
(Type 1, 3, 4 hypersensitivity) Wheat
Food allergy NOT dose-dependent
Can be life threatening Possible cross-rxn: duck, turkey,
venison, buffalo
 ONLY way to Dx a CAFR is an 8 week strict elimination diet followed up by a challenge with
the previous diet (for up to 8 weeks)
 DIETARY OPTIONS:
o Novel protein diet: kangaroo, rabbit, fish, duck, venison
o Hydrolyzed proteins: HA, HP, z/d, Anallergenic (Ultamino)
DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO THE PRURITIC CAT
 Category: DDx: Distribution Age of Onset Pruritic?
Notoedres cati Head and pinnae Intense pruritus
(mange) Chronic – entire body,
feet
Demodex cati/ D. cati – very sick cats D. cati – non-
gatoi only pruritic
D. gatoi - contagious D. gatoi – none
Ectoparasites
to marked
Cheyletiella Dorsal lesions Mild to severe
ZOONOTIC
Fleas
Otodectes
cynotis
Flea allergy Self-induced (neck, back, Seasonal or
dermatitis lumbar skin) year-round
pruritus
Atopic Self-induced (facial, Pruritus
Allergic dermatitis generalized, bilaterally
dermatitis symmetrical, regional) Dx made by
EXCLUSION
only
CAFR Face/neck in 40-50% of Pruritus of
cases face/neck
Dermatophytosis Young, Pruritus variable
(98% time is immunocompromised
M.canis)
Infectious
Malassezia
diseases
dermatitis
Superficial
pyoderma

 Common allergens for cats with CAFR: fish, beef, chicken, dairy, soy, corn, wheat

OTHER CAT DERM DISEASES

 CATEGORY DISEASE DISTRIBUTION CHARACTERISTICS
Psychogenic alopecia Alopecia is generalized or Compulsive overgrooming
occasionally focal Dx of exclusion only
Eosinophilic granuloma Oral cavity, lower lip, Variably pruritic
caudal thighs, foot pad or
interdigital space
(Can be linear or nodular)
Eosinophilic
Eosinophilic plaque Inguinal and ventral Markedly pruritic
granuloma
abdominal regions, medial
complex (ECG)
thigh
Indolent (rodent) ulcer Unilateral or bilateral Non-pruritic
yellow-tinged ulcer
Only upper lip affected

CUTANEOUS AND MUCOCUTANEOUS EROSIVE/ULCERATIVE DISEASES

CATEGORY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS AGE OF ONSET PRURITIC?
Autoimmune Discoid lupus Lesions limited to face Collies and German
diseases erythematous (nose and periocular) Shepherds
(DLE)
Pemphigus Subcorneal pustules due 4-8 years (adults) Absent to
foliaceus (PF) to acantholysis Akita and Chow moderate
IgG autoantibodies to Chows
desmosomal proteins

CATS – face, periaerolar,

claw beds
Metabolic Superficial Pressure points, Older, male, small Pruritus if 2ndry
diseases necrolytic footpads, multifocal breed dogs Malassezia
dermatitis generalized on trunk present
Neoplasia Epitheliotrophic T- Ulcerative stomatitis, Old dogs
cell lymphoma nasal depigmentation
(ETCL)