Superficial Necrolytic Dermititis

[2tollers]

Hi,

My 11 year old girl has been diagnosed with this today. I haven't had a chance to look into it much yet, but was wondering if anyone has had experience with this condition????

[2tollers]

A bit long winded but this is the Path report:

TEST:. HISTOPATHOLOGY REPORT

GROSS PATHOLOGY:.

Labelled Six Punch Biopsy Skin Lesions'

Six punch biopsies of skin measuring 6 mm. A representative section of

each is placed in Cassette A.

HISTOPATHOLOGY:.

Multiple biopsies show similar changes. In sections of skin there is

moderate acanthosis with severe parakeratosis and mild orthokeratosis.

There is occasionally a zone of oedema between the epidermis and

parakeratosis. There is an inflammatory reaction in the superficial

dermis consisting of infiltrates of lymphocytes, plasma cells and small

numbers of neutrophils, often in a lichenoid band. In some tissues

there is also scattered individual cell death in all levels of the

epidermis.

DIAGNOSIS:

Superficial necrolytic dermatitis

COMMENTS:

This is the superficial necrotising skin disorder of dogs associated

with incompletely characterised metabolic hepatic disease. Assessment

of liver and pancreatic disease through serum biochemistry is

recommended. The typical clinical signs include erosions and ulcers

with exudation, alopecia and thick adherent crusts on and surrounding

the paw pads and around the mucocutaneous junctions of the lips, eyes,

clawbeds and anus. Adherent crusts without underlying erosion may be

seen in very early lesions. Similar lesions may be present on pressure

points and pinnae. There may be bilateral symmetry. It is seen

primarily in older dogs and small breeds are often affected more than

large breeds.

RICHARD MILLER BVSc MSc PhD MACVSc Dip ACVP

Specialist Veterinary Pathologist

[sas]

Found this: http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c...ytic_dermatitis

[Bisart Dobes]

So its basically dry skin with dandruff, pimples and hair loss ??? Alot of dogs seem to have this issue atm. If you are interested in a natural approach ring Natropath - Carol Freeman on 9796 8330 - she is fantastic .

[Bisart Dobes]

Oops sorry forgot to add that she can / will do a hair analysis or what we call 'a reading' (crystal) or both and will help to balance out the systems in the body to get everything working properly again. The skin reflects internal issues as we all know.

May sound a bit weird but it works.

[Cordelia]

Oops sorry forgot to add that she can / will do a hair analysis or what we call 'a reading' (crystal) or both and will help to balance out the systems in the body to get everything working properly again. The skin reflects internal issues as we all know.

That's why the path report suggests liver function checked... crystals aren't going to give you a better reading than that pathology report..

[Rappie]

This condition is also known as hepatocutaneous syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. The skin erosions and ulcerations are a result of underlying disease, which is usually hepatic but can also be from the pancreas. It is thought to be a result of incomplete metabolism of amino acids and nutrients, that then leads to degeneration of the superficial skin cells.

Treating this condition as a skin problem only is not usually successful - the underlying disease needs to be identified and treated if possible. This might require further blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound. The only specific treatments are to a) treat underlying disease and b) IV amino acids but this is expensive (both the amino acids and the hospitalisation as it requires a jugular catheter), difficult to source. Supplementary treatments include antibiotics, anthistamines, omega oil supplements, zinc and other supplements but I would only start on these after discussion with your vet as they could affect underlying disease.

[2tollers]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Rappie thanks for the explanation. My vet called me last night with the results and said she's not that familiar with the condition and will research it before I see her on Wednesday. Would I be right in thinking that my main concern now is that the disease hasn't progressed too far and then not treatable?

[Bisart Dobes]

Oops sorry forgot to add that she can / will do a hair analysis or what we call 'a reading' (crystal) or both and will help to balance out the systems in the body to get everything working properly again. The skin reflects internal issues as we all know.

That's why the path report suggests liver function checked... crystals aren't going to give you a better reading than that pathology report..

Didn't say not to do what was recomended - but vet treatments won't fix the issue they will mask it. Natropathy works on healing the system.

[2tollers]

Bumping just in case anyone's dealt with this.