Cytology, impression smear cytology or diagnostic cytology is a non-invasive method that can provide tremendous value, especially in the diagnosis and reassessment of skin and ear diseases. Cytology is the process of obtaining samples from a patient in order to examine those samples under a microscope to provide more information and evidence of a particular problem. In skin and ear disease, this is especially useful in diagnosing infections but may also be helpful for initial assessment of some immune mediated diseases and certain types of cancer.

Ear cytology is a test performed most often by using a cotton swab to gather material and debris from the ear canal. This material is then spread onto a microscopic slide, stained in a laboratory and examined under a microscope. This test often provides significant information about the type and degree of infection present in an ear.

Cytology, impression smear cytology or diagnostic cytology is the process of obtaining samples from a patient in order to examine those samples under a microscope to provide more information and evidence of a particular problem. Samples may be obtained with a cotton swab, by rubbing a microscope slide on an area being sampled or by using other instruments such as blades or forceps to obtain samples. Samples are then stained and examined under a microscope.

Cytology, impression smear cytology or diagnostic cytology samples, may be examined right away by some veterinarians, especially in a veterinary specialist’s office such as a dermatologist, making results available during the appointment time. For others, samples may be submitted to an outside laboratory. If so, results may take 1-3 days.

Cytology, impression smear cytology or diagnostic cytology, involves the collection of material from a particular patient. This material is then examined microscopically. It's value or accuracy depends on the disease or problem being evaluated, the sample that can be obtained and the experience of the observer. For example, cytology can be very accurate in diagnosing a bacterial or yeast infections, but is not the diagnostic tool of choice for diagnosing skin cancer.

Cytology, impression smear cytology or diagnostic cytology, is performed by obtaining samples from a patient and examining those samples under a microscope to provide more information and evidence of a particular problem. Samples maybe obtained using a cotton swab, by rubbing a microscope slide along areas of interest or using other instruments to collect material. It is typically a non-invasive procedure. Once collected, material is examined under a microscope to look for evidence of infections, type of inflammation, immune mediated disease or neoplasia. Cytology is often performed by specialists such as clinical pathologists at outside labs or in-house by veterinary dermatology specialists.

No, cytology is less invasive than biopsy. Cytology or impression smear cytology involves the collection of material from a particular patient that is often from the surface of skin or other lesions. Biopsy is instead the process of obtaining a small piece of tissue from an area of disease in order to submit that tissue for processing and examination by a histopathologist. Cytology is often done in-house by veterinary dermatologists with results delivered during an exam while others may send these samples to an outside lab.

A skin scrape is a simple and incredibly valuable in-house test performed by veterinary dermatologists primarily to look for microscopic parasites. These include especially the causes of “mange”, suchas Demodex and Sarcoptes mites. Results are available during the visit and may results in an immediate diagnosis and the right treatment plan.

A skin scrape is a common test performed by veterinary dermatologists. It is performed by using a scalpel blade or other scraping utensil to scrape along the surface of the skin in order to collect material for examination under a microscope. Superficial skin scrapes are often done when a veterinarian is looking for Sarcoptes or Scabies mites or other surface parasites. A deep skin scrape is done in a much smaller area (often ~1 cm) and produces a small abrasion when completed. This type of scrape is performed to look for Demodex mites, which live deeper in hair follicles.

A trichogram or trichography is the microscopic examination of hairs. A trichogram is performed by plucking hairs, often placing those in a small amount of mineral oil and then examining them under a microscope. By examining hairs from an animal with skin or hair coat disease, a veterinary dermatologist can evaluate the hairs and look for evidence of infection, trauma or malformation of hairs. Occasionally, this will also identify parasites like Demodex that live within the hair follicle.

Dermatophyte, or dermatophyotisis (ringworm), is a fungal infection of the hair, superficial skin, and occasionally nails. It is not caused by a worm and often lesions are not in rings. Dermatophytosis is instead caused by infection with one of three species of fungal organisms: Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

A diagnosis of dermatophytosis is made by finding and identifying the fungal organism responsible for the disease. Diagnostic methods include fungal culture, PCR testing and on occasion skin biopsy. In some cases, fungal spores may be identified on impression smear cytology raising the suspicion for dermatophytosis. Woods lamp examination may also increase suspicion of dermatophytosis.

To perform a fungal culture, a veterinary dermatologist may obtain hair and skin samples that are then incubated on fungal culture media. These cultures are then monitored for growth and any growth is examined microscopically for diagnosis. Fungal cultures may become positive as quickly as 3-5 days in some but in other cases may need 14 to 21 days for final results.

Dermatophyte Test Media (DTM) is a common culture plate used to grow the fungal organisms that cause dermatophytosis (ringworm): Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Dermatophyte infection (dermatophytosis, ringworm) is a fungal infection of the skin, hair follicles and occasionally nails. It is treated with antifungal medications such as itraconazole or terbinafine often combined with frequent topical cleaning and bathing with antibacterial/antifungal shampoos. The exact treatments used for a case may vary depending on the degree and severity of the infection, areas involved and the condition of the patient. It is important to have a specific and accurate diagnosis of this infection prior to treatment and to consult a veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist on the right approach for each pet.

YES! Ringworm (dermatophytosis) can be a contagious infection and in some cases be passed from cats or dogs to their human companions. However, this is extremely variable depending on the specific type of infection, areas of infection on the pet and the individual susceptibility of the person. Because other types of infections often look like ringworm it is important to make an accurate diagnosis of dermatophytosis before pursuing treatments for the pet or the pet owner.

Blood and urine tests in animals may help us understand a variety of body systems. Laboratory tests run on blood and urine may provide information on liver and kidney function, anemia, thyroid function and many other systems. These tests provide valuable information on what is happening on the inside that can’t be readily assessed from the outside. Periodic blood and urine tests may also detect early disease processes before outward symptoms are noted.

Urine testing (urinalysis) can provide information that often helps to expand the understanding or information provided from blood tests. Urinalysis is not better or worse than blood testing, but instead helps to provide more comprehensive information when combined with blood testing.

Timing on blood test results depends on the type of test being run. Some tests may be run in-house in veterinary practices making test results available during the visit, while others may be submitted to an outside laboratory. If sent to an outside lab, results are typically available within 1-3 days, again depending on the type of test being performed.

Dermatology is the study of clinical skin disease while dermatopathology is the microscopic study of skin disease. When your pet is examined by a veterinary dermatologist, he or she may take a biopsy (skin or tissue sample) and submit it to a dermatopathologist for analysis. The microscopic exam of skin and tissue samples at the cellular level often provides more in-depth information about the disease process occurring for a particular disorder. Different from other pathologists, a dermatopathologist is specially trained in and specializes in diseases of the skin.

Skin biopsy is the process of obtaining a piece of skin or lesions associated with the skin in order to better understand the disease process or infection that is present.  While some skin diseases can be diagnosed based on appearance alone, others require a more in depth analysis of the changes that are occurring.  By obtaining a sample of the skin, it can be observed in cross section in its entirety often providing a much better understanding of the problem.

Skin biopsy is performed in order provide a more accurate diagnosis and more detailed description of skin disease, infection or growths and tumors. For some diseases it may be the only way to arrive  at the correct diagnosis and provide more accurate treatment options. 

Skin biopsy is typically an easy outpatient procedure.   Since it involves surgically removing a small sample of the skin or the lesion being evaluated, pets are usually sedated and a local anesthetic used to numb the area. Most biopsy samples are 5 to 8 mm in diameter and often have only one suture.  After care is typically minimal and pets don’t typically experience any pain from the biopsy sites.

Results from biopsies may take 1-3 weeks to return. When samples are obtained, they are placed in a preservative and sent to a laboratory for processing and tissue staining. The samples are then forwarded to a dermatopathologist for review and analysis.  Once findings are recorded by the dermatopathologist they are forwarded to the veterinary dermatologist for review and further treatment decisions.  In some cases, special stains or advanced analysis may be needed and may require additional steps and time.