Skin: scrape
Introduction
- Essential diagnostic test for skin disease in most species. In rabbits, acetate strip examination of scale for Cheyletiella is also useful Dermatology: practical guide to tests.
Print-off the Owner factsheet Samples - how they help your vet to give to your clients.
Uses
Parasite identification
- Cheyletiella spp Cheyletiella parasitovorax.
- Trombicula spp.
- Demodex spp Demodex cuniculi.
- Sarcoptes spp Sarcoptes scabiei .
- Notoedres spp Notoedres cati.
- Leporacarus gibbus Leporacarus gibbus .
- Other mites: Ornithonissus bacoti, Psorobia lagomorphae.
Advantages
- Inexpensive, effective diagnostic aid.
Disadvantages
- Negative findings do not rule out sarcoptic mange Sarcoptic mange or cheyletiellosis Cheyletiellosis.
- Numerous scrapings often required (at least 10-15).
Technical problems
- Adaptation of technique for specific parasite enhances success of diagnosis.
Alternative techniques
- Skin biopsy Biopsy: skin.
- Hair pluck and trichogram: ectoparasites rarely found except in demodicosis Skin: demodicosis.
- Scurf examination.
- Coat brushing or combing.
- Impression smears.
Procedure
- Few minutes to collect sample, <20 min to examine sample.
Decision taking
Criteria for choosing test
- When ectoparasite skin infestation is suspected.
- For ectoparasite identification.
- Superficial skin scraping: surface living mites.
- Deep skin scraping: burrowing or follicular mites.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Bhowmik A, Mallick Sinha M G & Barman D C (2015) Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of skin and superficial soft tissue lesions: A study of 510 cases. Turk Patoloji Derg 31 (3), 200-205 PubMed.
- Kanfer S & Reavill D R (2013) Cutaneous neoplasia in ferrets, rabbits and guinea pigs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 16 (3), 579-598 PubMed.
- Palmeiro B S & Roberts H (2013) Clinical approach to dermatologic disease in exotic animals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 16 (3), 523-577 PubMed.
- Campbell T W (2007) Basics of cytology and fluid cytology. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 10 (1), 1-24 PubMed.
- White S D, Bourdeau P J & Meredith A (2002) Dermatological problems in rabbits. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine 11 (3), 141-50 Academia.
- Harvey C (1995) Rabbit and rodent skin diseases. Semin Avian Exotic Pet Med 4 (4), 195-204 ScienceDirect.
- Vos J H, van den Ingh T S, van Mil F N (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 (2), 165-170 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Varga M (2014) Skin Diseases. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. Butterworth Heineman, Elsevier. pp 271-302.
- Meredith A (2014) Dermatoses. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine & Surgery. Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, UK. pp. 255-263.
- Miller W H, Scott D W, Griffin C E & Campbell K L (2013) Diagnostic Methods. In: Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology. 7th edn. Elsevier, USA. pp. 57-107.
- Meredith A (2006) Skin Diseases and Treatment of Rabbits. In: Skin Diseases of Exotic Pets. Ed: Paterson S. Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp 288-311.
- Meredith A (2006) Examination of Mammalian Skin and Diagnostic Tests. In: Skin Diseases of Exotic Pets. Ed: Paterson S. Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp 184-194.
- Moriello K A & Mason I S (1995) Eds Handbook of Small Animal Dermatology. 1st edn. Pergamon. pp 31-33 (Step by step procedure).
- Muller G H et al (1995) Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology. 5th edn. W B Saunders, USA. pp 94-98 (Detailed account with particular reference to techniques of scraping for different mites).