Abstract
Out of 44 cases of dermatitis in dogs, 11 cases of parasitic origin were analyzed by cytopathology. Histopathologic examination of punch biopsies was also done for correlation with cytologic findings. Sarcoptic dermatitis was recorded in six cases, wherein, besides sarcoptic mites, neutrophils, macrophages, and plasma cells and keratinizing epithelial cells were also seen. Hematology revealed a relative neutrophilia and mild eosinophilia. Four cases of severe and generalized demodicosis complicated with bacteria and/or Malassezia sp. infection were also recorded. Histopathologically numerous Demodex sp. mites in varying stage of maturation were found damaging the hair follicles along with associated pathological changes and foreign body granulomas in one case. In addition, flea allergy dermatitis was also observed in one dog. In nutshell, cytology was found to be unequivocally effective in diagnosing parasitic dermatitis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aiello SE, Mays A (1998) Integumentary system. Merck veterinary manual, 8th edn. Merck & Co., NJ, pp 589–722
Aujla RS, Singla LD, Juyal PD, Gupta PP (2000) Prevalence and pathology of mange-mite infections in dogs. J Vet Parasitol 14:45–49
Bruner RS, Blakemore JC (1999) Malassezia dermatitis in dogs. Vet Med 94:613–622
Coles EH (1986) Veterinary clinical pathology, 4th edn. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia
Jain NC (1986) Schalm’s veterinary haematology, 4th edn. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia
Luna LG (1968) Manual of histologic methods of the armed forces institute of pathology, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
Medleau L, Hnilica KA (2001) Small animal dermatology: a color atlas and therapeutics guide, 1st edn. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia
Muller GH, Kirk RW, Scott DW (1983) Small animal dermatology, 3rd edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia
Patterson AP and Frank LA (2002) How to diagnose and treat malassezia dermatitis in dogs. Vet Med: 612–622
Pin D, Bensignor E, Carlotti DN, Cadiergues MC (2006) Localized sarcoptic mange in dogs: a retrospective study of 10 cases. J Small Anim Pract 47:611–614
Rai MJ, Yathiraj S (1988) Clinical evaluation of ivermectin for treatment scabies in canines. Indian Vet J 65:626–628
Singh SK, Dimri U, Sharma MC, Swarup D, Sharma B (2011) Determination of oxidative status and apoptosis in peripheral blood of dogs with sarcoptic mange. Vet Parasitol 178:330–338
Sischo WM, Ihrke PJ, Franti CE (1989) Regional distribution of ten common skin diseases in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 195:752–756
Soulsby EJL (1982) Helminthes, arthropods and protozoa of domestic animals, 7th edn. Bailliere Tindall, London, pp 478–495
Thrall MA (2000) Cytologic examination of cutaneous and subcutaneous lumps and lesions. Vet Med 95:224–241
Tyler RD, Cowell RL, Meinkoth JH (1999) Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions: masses, cysts, ulcers and fistulous tracts. In: Cowell RL, Tyler RD, Meinboth JH (eds) Diagnostic cytology and haematology of the dog and cat, 2nd edn. St. Louis, Mosby, pp 20–51
Vasudevan B, Ragul J, Madheswaran R, Muralimanohar B, Balachandran C (2004) Cytological and histopathological diagnosis of canine skin tumors. Indian J Vet Pathol 28:130–133
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sood, N.K., Mekkib, B., Singla, L.D. et al. Cytopathology of parasitic dermatitis in dogs. J Parasit Dis 36, 73–77 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-011-0083-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-011-0083-y