Small Animal Dermatology Online Learning

Key learning objectives:

• Explain the function and properties of the skin of companion animals
• Outline the skin and hair follicle morphogenesis
• Recall gross skin anatomy and physiology
• Discuss the microscopic skin anatomy and physiology
• Review the pathological processes occurring in skin disease
• Explain how pathological processes relate to clinical signs and the diagnosis of disease
• Revise hypersensitivity reaction types I, II, III, IV in the skin and examples of specific skin diseases involving these processes
• Explain the response of skin to physical, chemical and microbiological insults
• Develop basic knowledge of the pathogenesis of skin neoplasia

Key learning objectives:

Know how to take an accurate clinical history and understand its interpretation in the diagnosis of skin disease

Become adept at performing a general physical examination

Be able to carry out a detailed examination of the skin

Be capable of accurately identifying and describing skin lesions

Familiarise yourself with the key diagnostic tests and their use

Improve your diagnostic skills and ability to manage common skin diseases

Explain the pros and cons of intradermal testing and allergen serology in the management of

atopic dermatitis

Key learning objectives:

Describe techniques to collect skin biopsies, their sample processing, storage and

recording

Understand the basic cytology of samples collected from the skin including masses and discharging sinuses

Interpret the clinical laboratory medicine information in relation to skin disease, including:haematology, biochemistry and endocrine tests, fluid and electrolyte disorders and cytology

Know the diagnostic tests for viral, fungal, protozoal and bacterial diseases – techniques and interpretation

Have an understanding of the principles of the use of pattern analysis by histopathologists in dermatohistopathology as it relates to pathogenesis, disease and diagnosis

Be able to interpret histopathology reports

Key learning objectives:

Alopecia:

Describe the pathogenesis of alopecia

Appreciate the clinical features of alopecia

Recall the differential diagnosis of alopecia and have knowledge of specific conditions which cause alopecia

Outline how to investigate alopecia using a problem-solving approach

Be conversant with treatment of alopecic conditions

Keratinisation disorders

Describe the pathogenesis of keratinisation disorders/scaling

Appreciate the clinical features of these disorders

Recognise the differential diagnosis of these disorders and have knowledge of specific

Conditions which cause keratinisation disorders

Outline how to investigate scaling diseases using a problem-solving approach

Be familiar with the treatment options

Pigmentary disorders

Describe the pathogenesis and clinical features of pigment changes, genetic or acquired

resulting in hypo- or hyperpigmentation

Recall the differential diagnosis including specific conditions causing pigmentary disorders

Outline how to investigate pigment changes using a problem-solving approach

Gain knowledge about treatment options

Key learning objectives:

Describe the physiology of the endocrine system

Explain the underlying pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostics and treatment options of the more common endocrine diseases

Be familiar with metabolic diseases, their aetiology, how to diagnose and how to treat these

diseases

Key learning objectives:

Explain the biology of tumours

Recognise common neoplastic presentations - localised, diffuse and systemic

Demonstrate knowledge of the following types of neoplasia: neoplasia of skin structures - benign, malignant, mast cell tumours, lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma and their variants, mammary tumours, testicular tumours 

Recognise neoplasia of other structures with involvement of the skin

Understand and recognise paraneoplastic syndromes

Formulate an approach to the diagnosis and staging of disease

Be aware of those conditions that could be confused with neoplasia eg auto immune diseases

Be familiar with the treatment options available and the prognosis for different neoplasms

Key learning objectives:

Review the anatomy of the pinna, external ear canal, bulla and inner ear including specialised glands and normal microbial flora and microbiome of the ear canal

Describe the diseases affecting the pinnae in dogs and cats

Discuss the aetiology, clinical signs, diagnostic approach and therapy of infectious, parasitic, immune-mediated, and neoplastic eyelid disease

Key learning objectives:

Gain knowledge of the immune system and immune response by the skin

Consolidate your knowledge of urticaria and angioedema, allergic contact dermatitis, flea bite hypersensitivity, canine cutaneous adverse food reaction (CAFR), canine CAFR with concurrent atopic dermatitis, canine atopic dermatitis, feline atopic syndrome and feline atopic skin syndrome

Review the underlying pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostics and treatment options

Recall the different treatment modalities for canine and feline allergic skin diseases

Key learning objectives:

Deepen your understanding of the structure and function of the skin immune system and the current theories of mechanisms that may lead to auto-immune disease  

Be able to explain the innate and adaptive immune response 

Recognise the revised classification of auto-antibody-mediated autoimmune skin diseases in dogs and cats from 2018

Be familiar with the current (recommended/suggested) classification of lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune skin diseases in dogs and cats

Explain the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic approach and treatment options of immune-mediated diseases in which a dysregulated immune-response to exogenous - but not self-antigen(s) - develops or fails to abate

Be familiar with immunosuppressive and immunomodulating drugs and their application to the management of canine and feline immune-mediated disease. Gain knowledge about their properties, their synergistic immunosuppressive effects, their potential side effects and potential drug interaction

Key learning objectives:

Know the clinical pathology of the major bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal and parasitic diseases (mites, insects and ticks) affecting the skin of companion animals in the UK and Europe including vector borne diseases such as leishmaniosis

Recognise zoonotic diseases and their health and safety concerns and precautions to be taken

Demonstrate knowledge of preventative healthcare measures that can be implemented for infectious or parasitic skin conditions

Demonstrate knowledge of treatment measures for bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal and parasitic skin conditions

Key learning objectives:

Describe the normal skin anatomy of exotic species (rabbits and rodents, reptiles and cage birds)

Recognise the importance of husbandry – housing, environment, nutrition on the dermatological health of these species

Gain knowledge about ecdysis/dysecdysis in reptiles

Be familiar with the common conditions seen in rabbits and rodents, reptiles and cage birds and their pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, investigation and treatment of them

Key learning objectives:

Review the nutritional supply to the skin and how deficiencies or excess in nutrients can lead to skin diseases

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the role of nutrients (including essential amino acids, EFAs, vitamins and minerals) in metabolism and their importance to skin biology and pathology

Discuss the pathophysiology of nutritional skin disorders, the breed predispositions, mode of inheritance if known, the clinical signs associated with these diseases, diagnostic test to confirm diagnosis and treatment options

Explain the pathogenesis and clinical features of genetic, congenital and hereditary skin conditions

Appreciate the differential diagnosis of these conditions and the approach to the investigations and treatment    

Identify diseases due to physical agents, chemical agents, ultraviolet radiation, temperature change, and trauma, their clinical features and treatment options

Gain knowledge of the aetiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of unusual and rare skin conditions

Key learning objectives:

Be familiar with different type of wounds and wound healing (Dressings / topical treatment options)

Improve your knowledge of the medical and surgical management of wounds

Perfect your knowledge of surgery of the anal sacs

Be able to explain why some dermatological conditions become surgical (skin fold dermatitis, otitis externa/media, pododermatitis) or may benefit from laser therapy

Describe the principles of ear surgery (which techniques to use and when)

Key learning objectives:

Explain the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic approach and treatment options of diseases affecting the interdigital skin and/or footpads

Study the pathophysiology, clinical signs, investigations and therapy of diseases affecting the claws and/or claw bed

Demonstrate knowledge about anal sac diseases including inflammatory and neoplastic processes as well as the entity anal furunculosis in dogs

Be aware of investigations needed to accomplish a diagnosis and be familiar with therapeutic options