MVSc

Fifty dermatological diseases in dogs presented to the University Veterinary
Hospital, Kokkalai and Veterinary College Hospital, Mannuthy were systematically
investigated to find out the etiology. The results indicated that the conditions were
mostly caused by bacteria and ectoparasites (42% each) and only a small proportion
was caused by fungi (4%) and other factors (12%).
Sixteen different clinical conditions were identified viz, Superficial Bacterial
Folliculitis, Impetigo, German Shepherd Pyoderma, Furunculosis, Infantile Pustular
Dermatoses, Localised Demodicosis, Generalised Demodicosis, Flea Bite
Hypersensitivity, Flea Bite Dermatitis, Tick infestation, Pediculosis,
Dermatophytosis, Dermatomycosis produced by non-dermatophyte, Callus Pyoderma,
Telogen Defluxion, Irritant Contact Dermatitis and Lentigo.
Among the dogs which were investigated, non-descript ones were mostly
affected probably due to lesser care and attention given to them.
The results suggested that animals kept full time indoor or outdoor were
almost equally affected whereas animals reared under semi intensive system were less
prone to dermatological diseases.

In almost all conditions secondary lesions were predominant than pnmary
lesions probably. due to the delay in medical attention. The only condition, with
primary lesions alone, was lentigo.
Lesions of bacterial dermatitis were predominant in the abdomen, hind legs
and trunk. In dermatophytosis, ear, trunk and hind legs were affected, where as in
dermatomycosis, head, trunk, hind legs and fore legs were affected. The lesions
produced by ectoparasites were mostly in the back followed by trunk and fore legs.
No characteristic distribution of lesions could be detected in other conditions; with an
exception of callus pyoderma in which lesions were seen at the pressure points.
The ditferent clinical bacterial dermatitis were produced by Staphylococcus
intermedius. Ectoparasitic conditions were mostly produced by Demodex canis,
followed by fleas, ticks and lice. Some cases of the ectoparasitic conditions
developed secondary bacterial infection with S. intermedius. There were four clinical
conditions, namely callus pyoderma, telogen defluxion, irritant contact dermatitis and
lentigo caused by factors other than bacteria, fungi and ectoparasites.
The haernatological and serum biochemical parameters studied did not suggest
any systemic diseases. A significant reduction in haemoglobin level was noticed in
impetigo, generalised dernodicosis and flea bite hypersensitivity. RBC counts were
significantly reduced in impetigo and folliculitis. The total leukocyte count showed
significant difference from that of control animals, in conditions such as folliculitis,

German Shepherd Pyoderma, furunculosis, localised demodicosis, generalised
demodicosis, flea bite hypersensitivity, flea bite dermatitis, tick infestation and callus
pyoderma; suggesting primary or secondary bacterial infections.