bovis - Articles
Skin scrape
Introduction
- Essential diagnostic test in many cases of skin disease.
Uses
Parasite identification
- Demodex spp Mites (burrowing and non-burrowing).
- Sarcoptes spp. Mites (burrowing and non-burrowing)
- Chorioptes spp Chorioptes bovis.
- Psoroptes spp Mites (burrowing and non-burrowing).
- Psorobia spp (Psorergates spp).
- Trombicula autumnalis Mites (burrowing and non-burrowing).
- Forage mites
- Sarcassania berlesei.
- Parafilaria bovicola.
- Stephanofilaria spp Stephanofilaria stilesi.
Advantages
- Cheap, effective diagnostic aid.
- Part of minimal work-up for all cases of canine skin disease.
Disadvantages
- Negative findings do not rule out sarcoptic mange.
- Numerous scrapings often required (at least 10-15).
Technical problems
- Adaptation of technique for specific parasite enhances success of diagnosis.
Alternative techniques
- Skin biopsy Skin biopsy may be helpful in cases of severe fibrosis and in finding deeper parasites such as Sarcoptes and Demodex.
- Hair plucks Hair pluck may be useful for finding Dermatophytes Ringworm, Demodex and lice.
Time required
Procedure
- Few min to collect sample, <10 min to examine sample.
Decision taking
Criteria for choosing test
- Essential for all cattle with skin disease.
Risk assessment
- Restraint of bovine to avoid veterinarian injury from kicks.
- Wearing gloves in case dermatophytosis.
Requirements
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Preparation
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Technique
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Aftercare
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Outcomes
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Vos J H et al (1989) Non-exfoliative canine cytology - the value of fine needle aspiration and scraping cytology. Vet Q 11 (4), 222-231 PubMed.
- Smith E K (1988) How to detect common skin mites through skin scrapings. Vet Med 83, 165-170 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Waine K, Busin V & Strugnell B (2019) Getting the Most out of On-Farm Post-Mortems: A Guide for Veterinary Surgeons. AHDB, UK. Website: https://ahdb.org.uk.
- Moriello K A & Mason I S (1995) Eds Handbook of Small Animal Dermatology. Pergamon Press, UK. pp 31-33.
- Muller G H et al (1995) Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology. 5th edn. W B Saunders, USA. pp 94-98.