Services
The standard services provided by Healthy Pets Skincare involve the diagnosis and management of allergies and recurrent ear infections.
Tests performed during a typical examination may include:
skin cytology
ear cytology
skin scrapes
fungal cultures
house blood tests
allergy testing
Depending on the individual pet’s presentation of symptoms, a skin biopsy and dermatopathology reading may be recommended and scheduled.
Specific Dermatology Services
cytology
Skin cytology can identify the cell types involved in the disease process to decide if the skin condition is inflammatory or neoplastic (cancer cells), as well as the presence of bacteria and yeast.
Skin Biopsy
A skin biopsy is a minor surgical procedure to remove a sample (wedge) of skin affected by disease. The sample is then sent away for analysis by a pathologist, who examines the skin in cross section under a microscope and diagnoses the disease seen.
Skin Cytology vs. Skin Biopsy: What’s the difference?
A skin cytology test is different from a skin biopsy. During a biopsy, surgically a punch biopsy (tissue) from a certain area of the body is removed and analyzed for cancer or skin disorder diagnosis. A cytology test removes and studies a fewer number of cells. With a cytology test, the cytological morphology of the cells collected are studied under a microscope.
Ear cytology
Ear sample collected and evaluated under the microscope as a routine procedure that can be used to rule out or identify microbial otic infection in any animal that presents with these signs.
Skin or Ear Cultures
Culture is a sample collected from skin or ears to identify the bacteria or fungal causing the problem. Also, the culture will provide the susceptibility or resistance of specific bacterial strains to select antibiotic.
Skin Scrapings
Scraping involves using a dull blade, the skin is gently scraped to determine if the skin disease is secondary to a mite (mange).
Bloodwork Analyses
If indicated, bloodwork analyses may be done to detect systemic/ internal disease or hormonal disorders. This is handled on a case-by-case basis.
DTM (Dermatophyte Test Medium)
This is a specific skin culture that can take 2-3 weeks, but will detect if dermatophytes (ringworm) are present in the sample collected from the patient.
The culture also specifies the species of the ringworm for selection of treatment and to alert the client for zoonotic potential.
Allergy Testing
The goal of allergy testing is to identify specific allergens for an individual in order to formulate a serum of these allergens that is then given as an injection or administered by mouth to de-sensitize a pet to their specific allergy triggers. This is known as Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) and is formulated specifically for each animal based on their test results. Most often this immunotherapy is administered at home by pet owners on a pre-defined gradually increasing schedule over a period of 4-6 months. Once the appropriate volume and frequency of injection are determined, ASIT is typically continued for the life of the pet.
We have Phovia Light Therapy available!
Phovia light therapy supports skin healing in dogs and cats. Please ask us today about Phovia light therapy treatment!
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