220. The Dos and Don'ts of getting amazing cytology samples!

As a dermatologist, I see A LOT of allergies. However, there are other causes of skin diseases that can cause a pet to develop pruritus, skin lesions, etc. In this episode, I will cover the 5 red flags that should get you considering other causes of skin disease besides allergies.1. Dermatologic disease starts when the pet is senior2. Mucus membranes are affected3. The pet is not itchy4. Infection is controlled but the lesions or pruritus do not respond to steroids or other anti-pruritic therapies5. Weird lesions like depigmentation or nodules are presentTIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00Lesions Starting When The Pet Is Older (Red Flag #1) 03:56Mucous Membranes Being Affected (Red Flag #2) 06:02The Pet Is Not Itchy (Red Flag #3) 07:52Not Responding To Anti-Pruritic Medication (Red Flag #4) 10:00Weird Lesions (Red Flag #5) 12:06Outro 14:34

On this episode of The Derm Vet podcast, Jenni Grant joins. Jenni is the head veterinary nurse at The Dermatology Referral Service in Scotland. We discuss the differences between practicing in the United States compared to Scotland. Also, some great information regarding improving your cytology skills as a veterinary nurse/technician and how to communicate with clients regarding chronic allergy management. TIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00Jenni's Role Within Her Dermatology Practice 02:56Jenni's Veterinary Journey 04:10How Technicians Help With Client Communication 12:54Jenni's Dermatology Workflow 17:30Intradermal Allergy Testing In Scotland 20:22Videotoscopies In Scotland 23:50Jenni's Advice For Aspiring Dermatology Nerds 27:32Jenni's Favorite And Least Favorite Dermatology Disease 31:18Outro 32:37

One of the top questions I get asked... "How do I get better cytology samples?". This week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast goes over some Dos and Don'ts to improve your cytology collection technique to get amazing samples!DO: use your non-dominant hand to assistDO: get under crust and scaleDO: practiceDO: use different collection techniquesDON'T: be wimpy with your samplingDON'T: skip itDON'T: rub the slide back and forthDON'T: give upTIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00The Do's Of Cytology 01:03The Don'ts of Cytology 08:36Outro 15:38

Topical therapy is so important in the management of long-term dermatologic disease. Whether it is maintenance for skin barrier dysfunction or to control an active infection, we know it can make a huge difference in our success. However, it can be a big hassle for pet owners to implement. So, how do you convince owners to use the shampoo you sent home. Do you ask the right questions? Do you provide the right education?Learn six tips that will help you convince pet owners to bathe, wipe and spray on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!TIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00Client Communication Is Important 01:02Look At The History 02:52Ask What Formulations Have Worked 05:56What Frequencies Have Worked In The Past 09:38Ask Pet Owners About Location 11:04Explain Why Topicals Are Important 14:28Know The Ingredients Of The Topicals Your Using 17:40Outro 19:04

Chronic otitis can be a scary and frustrating disease to  manage. Ears can be painful to the pet and lead to irreversible changes like calcification. Learn some tips on how to be less fEARful at managing ear disease on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!TimestampsIntro 00:00First Tip On Managing Ears 01:40Second Tip On Managing Ears 03:16Third Tip On Managing Ears 06:49Fourth Tip On Managing Ears 09:30Fifth Tip On Managing Ears 10:58Sixth Tip On Managing Ears 12:38Outro 15:40

On this week's episode of the podcast, Dr. Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO joins for a fun conversation. As a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist he gives his input regarding allergic conjunctivitis, periocular disease and more! You can find him on Instagram as @theveteyeguy. Enjoy this fun episode!TIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00Common Ophthalmology Cases That Are Referred To Dermatologists 03:18Periocular Dermatitis And Alopecia 08:56The Rarity Of Pyogranulomatous Blepharitis 12:43Experience With Uveodermatologic Syndrome 18:10How Ophthalmologists Manage Allergic Conjunctivitis 23:00Topical Steroids Need A Plan For Ocular Diseases 27:40Dr. Sigmund's Thoughts On Traumatic Ulcers 34:33Outro 41:09

With different dog breeds, we can see various phenotypes of allergic skin disease. With German Shepherd dogs, we can see a more ulcerative dermatitis when they get infected with their underlying allergies. Areas of the body such as ventral abdomen and paws tends to be particularly affected.A different presentation of skin disease can lead to different medical management and we often need to focus on more broad spectrum inflammation control. Learn more about this and certain diseases seen predominantly in this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!TIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00l've Been Seeing A Lot Of German Shepherds 00:28German Shepherds And Allergic Dermatitis 01:24The Areas Of The Body Affected On German Shepherds 04:32My Suggestions 07:26Other Diseases We See In German Shepherds 12:10Outro 14:36

On this episode of The Derm Vet podcast, I get to welcome Darragh O' Hanlon. He is an advanced veterinary practitioner in veterinary dermatology in Dublin, Ireland. You may know him as @thetopicalvet on Instagram. We have a great conversation about long-term allergy management and how to implement immunotherapy successfully in allergic patients.Here some of the differences and similarities of managing pet allergies in Ireland and the United States!TimestampsIntro 00:00Allergies In The US vs Ireleand 04:50Allergies In Urban Environments 06:58Seasonal Allergies In Ireland 08:26Different Pollens In Ireland 12:26Allergy Testing And Immunotherapy In Ireland 17:56Darragh's Favorite Ways To Use Topicals 35:10Outro 40:02

A preview of one of my lectures coming up this summer at the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology (WCVD)... Managing dermatologic diseases can be frustrating and costly for pet owners due to the chronicity of diseases and ongoing treatment required for many patients. Secondary issues such as pyoderma and otitis are also common issues that can be recurrent and add to unexpected costs. There are many different aspects of management that can cost money such as pharmaceuticals, topicals, diagnostics, nutrition, parasiticides and supplements. How can dermatologists and general practitioners utilize appropriate tools to lessen the costs long-term for pet owners? Learn how to keep dermatology management CHEAPer by utilizing Cytology, History, Examination, Assessment and Plan. TIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00My New Lecture For WCVD10 00:28How To Make Dermatology C.H.E.A.P. 01:56C)ytology 04:00H)istory 06:49E)xamination 08:44A)ssessment 11:18P)lan 13:26Outro 17:06

Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) is a rare disease that affects dogs with dilute coat color (blue, fawn, etc.). This disease results from abnormal distribution of melanin granules and formation of macromelanosomes in the hair shaft. This weakens hair and causes them to break especially along the dorsum. Learn how to recognize this disease, useful diagnostics and treatment options on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast.TIMESTAMPSIntro 00:00What Is Color-Dilution Alopecia? 01:06Main Symptoms Of Color-Dilution Alopecia 02:02The Tricky Part Of Color-Dilution Alopecia 02:43The Disease Process 04:04The Complications 07:19Treatment Options 09:36Educating Pet Owners 12:44Outro 13:48