Weve collected some of the best veterinary dermatology hacks and work-arounds on dvm360.com in the past few years. They touch on dermatology, oncology, parasitology, client education and more. Steal at will.
The dermatologic effects of flea allergy dermatitis are evident in this cat. (Photo courtesy of Christina Restrepo, DVM, DACVD, Naples, Florida)Manage insecticide-wary clients who own pets with flea allergy dermatitis
An important part of treating a pet allergic to fleas is keeping the pet on year-round flea control. But you've likely encountered owners who have expressed concern they'll be giving their pets an insecticide-whether orally or topically-and they say, that can't be safe! To calm their fears, explain the following:
- CVC educator Allison Kirby, DVM, DACVD
Avoid these cytology slip-ups
- CVC educator Darin Dell, DVM, DACVD
A dog with sterile nodular panniculitis. (Image courtesy of Dr. Darin Dell)6 tips for a better biopsy
A biopsy is the ultimate dermatology test, but it won't always give you a straight answer. Here are six tips for better results:
1. Collect multiple samples. Aim for four to six pieces of tissue.
2. Center your biopsy punch on the lesion (see here). Do not send normal tissue to the pathologist. If you send in the margin of a lesion and include normal tissue, there's a risk that the lab technician will not “cut in” the diseased tissue for examination.
3. If you see an infection on cytology (see here), consider resolving it before collecting biopsy specimens. Infection can obscure the primary disease and make the pathologist's job much more difficult.
4. Send a thorough history along with your samples.
5. Include clinical photographs with the samples when possible (see here).
6. The right eyes on your sample is the difference between the right answer, the wrong answer or no answer at all. Send your tissue samples to a dermatopathologist.
- CVC educator Darin Dell, DVM, DACVD
Look pet owners in the eye and force them to be straight with you: Can you handle this otitis externa medication at home? (Getty Images)Talk clients out of a coverup!
Finally, are you sending ear medication home for clients to administer? Dr. Noxon always asks, "'Can you do this?' And then when they say, 'Yes,' while you're watching their eyes, you ask, 'Will you?' Those are different things. If they won't, I'm not gonna be judgmental about that, but I need to find something else to do."
Image courtesy of Bekki Thompson.Peas, beans and grapes
After hearing numerous arguments between my coworkers over perception differences between pea-sized, bean-sized, small grape-sized and large grape-sized growths, as well as complaints about never having a ruler handy when taking a history or examining a patient, I printed out millimeter rulers for our doctors and staff to tape to their favorite pens. Now we can quickly and accurately notate the size of growths and wounds.
- Bekki Thompson, head technician Pet Haven Veterinary Clinic Wichita, Kansas
Put out the trashcan and clean Rex's ears
When I tell clients to clean their pets' ears, give medications or perform other procedures twice a week, I tell them to do it on garbage pickup days, which are Tuesdays and Fridays in our area. Giving clients a real-life reminder on a schedule they're used to has helped with compliance.
- Dr. Paul Wolff, Palm City, Florida
A tisket, a tasket, an ear care basket
We place all our ear care items in a basket, so we know exactly where to find what we need when we need it. The basket includes ear cleaner, saline solution, hemostats and bulb syringes. A drawer under the basket is filled with cotton for cleaning pets' ears.
- Brenda Girard, LVT St. Clair Shores, Michigan
Easy-does-it ear wash cannulas
We reuse intravenous sets to create soft, flexible cannulas for ear washes. Cut a 6- or 7-in section from a used intravenous set, and push one end over a 12-ml syringe. Quickly burn the end with a lighter to soften the cut edges.
- John Young, practice manager, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Presurgical evaluation and diagnostic imaging for canine mast cell tumors
November 7th 2024Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology, SAIM), delved into essential components of a diagnostic investigation of dogs with MCRs, including fine-needle aspiration and diagnostic imaging methods during her session at the NY Vet Show in New York, New York
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