For Referring Veterinarians

Truckstop was a 6-8 week old black Labrador Retriever presented by a concerned neighbor to the veterinary dermatologist for evaluation of a severe itch and generalized crusting dermatitis of unknown duration. Past medical history was not available. The skin lesions involved the entire face, neck, limbs, elbows, hocks, abdomen, chest, and portions of the trunk. At these sites, lesions consisted of papules and crusts with profound hair loss. Secondary lesions included thickening of the skin,…

This young dog was brought to the emergency clinic by animal control and a local pit bull rescue organization took over his care. Presentation As you can see in his initial photos below, he had a dermatology problem! Lesions that were present included alopecia (hair loss), erythema (red skin), comedones (black heads), lichenification (thickened skin). He was mildly itching. After dermatologic examination, Dr. Pinchbeck performed some in-office routine diagnostic tests (skin surface cytology and deep…

Calcinosis cutis (CC) is the deposition of inorganic, insoluble mineral salts into the different layers of the skin. It is characterized histologically (under the microscope in tissue samples) by mineralization of dermal collagen fibers, accumulation of macrophages and mixed inflammatory infiltrates, acanthosis (thickening of skin), ulceration and evidence of elimination of mineral through the skin.   Treatment for Calcinosis Cutis in Dogs Calcinosis cutis is classified based upon the cause. Metastatic CC occurs when…