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THIS MONTH Dermatophytosis
Christmas
and New Year Postal arrangements
Christmas and New Year
Holidays
Overnight Courier
Same Day Courier
May we take this opportunity to say thank you for using NWL in 2000 we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year Top
Dermatophytosis should be
considered as a differential in any papular or pustular eruption in dogs,
which often develop classic foci of alopecia with follicular papules, pustules,
scales or crusts. Facial folliculitis and furunculosis almost mimicking
an autoimmune skin disease can develop, classically involving a Trichophyton
mentagrophytes or T.erinaceae infection after the dog has been burrowing
into hedge bottoms after rodents or hedgehogs. Kerion is apparently a common
presenting sign of Microsporum gypseum infection.
Dermatophytosis should never be diagnosed without accompanying confirmatory tests and these include direct microscopy, examination for fluorescence (which is limited to about 50% of M canis infections only), and fungal culture. In selecting a sample of hair for microscopy and culture it is best to pluck hairs or obtain them by ”tooth brushings” avoiding obviously inflamed areas or already broken hairs. The use of the toothbrush is the best way to sample an asymptomatic animal. Send us the brushings and the toothbrush in a sealed envelope. Surgical biopsy is another tool that can be used and is particularly useful where claws are involved. We do not routinely undertake sensitivity testing of dermatophytes (although this is available if required) but currently preferred treatments are griseofulvin and itraconazole. The latter is regarded as superior for treating cats and dogs. Code DMC
Code DC
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Next Meeting: Thursday 11th January 2001 Venue: Myerscough College, Bowland Suite, Bilsborough, Lancashire Programme: Imported Diseases and PETS – Illustrated talk Case book studies: Cases wanted To book your place, request further information or a location map call Joanne Kenyon on 01253 899215 or visit the web site - www.nwlabs.co.uk CLIN
PATH CLUB - Dates for 2001
Thurs 15th MarchCLIN PATH CLUB Meeting 2nd November The September meeting had to be cancelled because of the petrol shortage. The November meeting was nearly cancelled for the same reason. Tell people there is not going to be a petrol shortage and what happens everyone immediately fills up with petrol and creates a petrol shortage. A self fulfilling prophecy of ever there was one. Of the 41 people who booked places only 19 managed to turn up which was a little disappointing. Jane Miller gave an illustrated talk on the Leukocyte and its role in diagnosis. Neil Roche a practitioner from Preston presented an interesting case study. This was followed by a demonstration of how to make a blood smear by Alistair Parker. A number of people took the opportunity to try smear making for themselves and a few shy ones would have liked to. Top
The microbiology section has been completely revised. You will note that test options are now based on the nature of the sample submitted. This will enable us to reduce the cost of microbiological investigations in most cases and to provide an indication of the tests involved for a particular request. These changes are based on an analysis of the submissions over the past 12 months. There have regrettably been some price adjustments, on average these amount to approx 2%. Top
Name change for Chlamydia
psittaci.
The disease is now called Chlamydiosis. Reference: Int J Syst Bacteriol 1999 49, 415-40 Top
Yes. Blood cell morphology
deteriorates from the moment the sample is drawn. By making smears from
the freshly drawn blood the morphology of erythrocytes, leucocytes and
platelets is preserved. If you can make the smears from blood before mixing
with the EDTA anticoagulant so much the better. This is important if you
are interested in Haemobartonella because EDTA can detach the parasite
from the surface of the erythrocyte making detection much more difficult.
For good cell preservation it is important to dry your smears quickly by
waving about, do not leave them lying on the bench to dry, this induces
artefacts.
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Pasteurella multocida
is the commonest cause of respiratory disease in rabbits
Clinical signs may vary: chronic snuffles, purulent conjunctivitis, localized abscesses and sudden deaths due to septicaemic pasteurellosis may be seen. Transmission is by direct contact with animals shedding P. multocida from nasal or vaginal excretions. Suckling rabbits may be infected with Pasteurella multocida from carrier does within the first week of life. Contrary to popular belief aerosols do not appear to be an important means of spread. The principle cause for sub-clinical carriers developing symptoms of Pasteurellosis is stress. This maybe poor ventilation, high ammonia levels due to poor hygiene, cold/damp conditions, overstocking and introducing new animals. In pet rabbits, signs of Pasteurellosis are normally limited to snuffles and conjunctivitis. Nasal swabs and throat swabs may be used to recover the causative organism. Affected animals should be treated with parenteral antibiotic. Tetracyclines or fluoroquinalones are recommended. Individual rabbits with conjunctivitis may be treated by flushing the naso-lacrimal ducts with saline and instilling antibiotic. Treatment may need to be lengthy up to 4 weeks. Following treatment animals may be re-sampled for evidence of infection, 3 negative samples at least 7 days apart is advised. Top
Christmas comes early
for Sooty
He romanced each of them in turn and was yesterday the proud father of 43 offspring. Staff at Little Friend's Farm in Pontypridd, South Wales, have now secured Sooty's pen - and begun looking for homes for the guinea pigs. Owner Carol Feehan,, said: "I'm sure a lot of men will be looking at Sooty with envy. "We knew that he had gone missing after wriggling through the bars of his cage. We looked for him everywhere but never thought of checking the pen where we keep 24 females. We did a head count and found 25 guinea pigs - Sooty was fast asleep in the corner. He was absolutely shattered. We put him back in his cage and he slept for two days." For Guinea Pig information try: http://www.petnetcanada.com/small_animals/guinea-pigs.htm |
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