Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:51:40 GMT

The owner mentioned the skin lesions on 20 May when she came in to collect Milbemax and Bravecto, she had noticed them a week before. The Bravecto was given that day. I examined her on 31 May. I have spoken to the owner again today and she thinks the swellings have got bigger so I have booked her in for biopsies next week. I'll let you all know when I get the results.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

David Mills — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 21:35:58 GMT

It would be an interesting study to conduct actually.

Skin biopsies in first opinion vs referral practice - diagnostic yield and their impact on treatment decisions. Maybe it’s been done, I’ve no idea.

Still, my point stands, if this is Demodex rather than neoplasia it’s a pretty good disease to have. Feed the dog a bravecto with food in the clinic or pill pop a Simparica. I’d take the 1pc especially with a couple of treatments 4-8 weeks apart.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Judith Joyce — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 21:00:45 GMT

Having spent the right amount of time working in South East Northumberland with a lot of Staffies, I have seen similar presentations with Demodex mites present when looking for it. 1% assumes total owner compliance as well as the same conditions that produced those results - not my experience. Nearly every biopsy I have taken has progressed case management more than a tiny bit.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

David Mills — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 20:42:40 GMT

Yes, possibly, and we don’t have the full history of course.

But -

its 7 years old. Localised lesions. Having spent too long in charity working with Staffies as 80pc of case load I’ve never knowingly seen demodex like this

symmetrical neoplasia? Possible but if we’re going to Um and arr about 1% of demodex not being dealt with by bravecto why are the chances of bilateral symmetrical (or near enough) neoplasia? Less than 1% at a guess.

I don’t disagree biopsy may give an answer, or may give you a description that moves you on a tiny bit, but is it necessary for the signs described?

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Judith Joyce — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 20:34:53 GMT

Don't disagree if its used correctly but that leaves 1% or more. Assumed the wait and see option was used up before posting here. IMHO biopsy is not an overuse of a diagnostic tool in a persistent raised/thickened lesion - be nice to rule out a neoplasm sooner rather than later if this has been around for a while.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

David Mills — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 20:26:17 GMT

Bravecto is about 99% effective against Demodex according to the papers. With a single dose. Great product.

Non painful skin thickening - I’d wait and see. I think biopsy is overtreatment. It sounds more like a curiosity at this stage. Knowing Staffies it’s probably been shoving it’s head under counters / against peoples legs / the floor / rocks.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Julian Earl — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 19:39:17 GMT

Good oint Judith Bipopsiesare far ore productive and diagnostic than skin scarapes in virtually any case, IME! If Bravecto is an avermectin can we be sure it is entirely effective against demodex mites?

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Judith Joyce — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 18:39:36 GMT

I'm with Julian, a bug hunt is always the place to start (even if you are 100% sure the Bravecto was correctly prescribed, dispensed and administered), Surface (or squeezed surface) cytology and possibly fungal culture. Biopsies likely to be informative in the hands of an experienced dermatohistopathologist giving full interpretation of their findings.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Thomas Johnson — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 17:14:07 GMT

[quote userid="3094" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/dermatology/f/discussions/30312/skin-thickening-on-top-of-a-dog-s-head/237437#237437"]My immediate reaction on seeing youngish Staffie..., Skin lesions on top of head was Demodicosis! Good luck with this. Srapes or biospy resultswold be udsful when you get them!! :) [/quote]

Thank you, but she was treated with Bravecto recently so very unlikely to be parasites.

RE: Skin thickening on top of a dog's head

Julian Earl — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 14:13:49 GMT

My immediate reaction on seeing youngish Staffie..., Skin lesions on top of head was Demodicosis! Good luck with this. Srapes or biopsy results would be useful when you get them!! :)

HTH?