Veterinary Medicine - July 2008 - (Page I3)

Case study: Cindy Submitted by Dr. Alice Jeromin, DVM, DACVD Veterinary Allergy & Dermatology, Inc. Rich eld, Ohio Subject: Cindy, an 11-year-old spayed female golden retriever; adopted by the author in May 2007. History: Cindy’s previous owner put her up for adoption citing chronic dermatologic problems. Cindy’s prior medical records could not be attained. Clinical ﬁndings on initial examination: Cindy had generalized pruritus, a yeasty odor, and a greasy haircoat. She shook her head frequently due to bilateral otitis externa. She was alopecic over the lumbar area and tail. She also had alopecia, licheniﬁcation, and hyperpigmentation of her periocular, perineal, caudal thigh, and ventral abdominal areas. Initial laboratory work included a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry proﬁle, urinalysis, and thyroid panel. All test results were normal except for mild normochromic normocytic anemia, indicating anemia of chronic disease. Cytologic examination of ear discharge revealed a mixed bacterial and yeast infection. Because there were no medical records or history to analyze, treatment was based on the initial observations and laboratory work. Management: Cindy was fed Eukanuba Veterinary Diets (now Iams® Veterinary Formulas) Skin & Coat Response™ FP, and other foods and treats were eliminated. She was bathed two to three times per week using hypoallergenic shampoo and her ears were treated topically with Otomax (ScheringPlough) once a day for three days. I prefer not to use corticosteroids because of the potential for adverse effects, which, in my opinion, occur more often in older animals. Progress and follow-up care: After one month of feeding Response FP, a CBC showed that the anemia had resolved. Although Cindy was still pruritic, the pruritus was diminished. The most predominant change was that Cindy started to grow hair on her lumbar area and tail. Her ears were producing less discharge but were still a problem. Results from a serum test for inhalant allergies showed that although Cindy did register as allergic to at least one allergen in each category, none of the results were highly positive. Based on these results, hyposensitization injections were not initiated and the treatment plan was to continue with the limited-antigen diet and Before After bathing, with antibiotics administered for secondary bacterial infections when needed. Update: I had adopted Cindy in May, and by September she had grown hair in all previously alopecic areas. Even the dorsal lumbar area, which I thought would never regrow, grew back thick and lighter in color. She continues to have minor ﬂareups with otitis but she is 90% better and at this point is being managed exclusively with Response FP.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - July 2008

Veterinary Medicine - July 2008 Contents Leading Off Practical Matters Idea Exchange Clarification Dental Corner The Diagnostic Approach to Hematuria Guidelines for Evaluating Hypercalcemic Cats CE Form Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - July 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.