Skin Health
Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs: Microbiota Disruption and the Transformative Role of Next-Generation Sequencing
Glowing Threats: The Bioluminescent Bacterium Behind Marine Disease
Understanding Mucor-induced Mycotic Disease in Reptiles: What Reptile Owners and Vets Need to Know About Mycotic Infections
Streptococcus canis on Feline Skin: A New Frontier in Zoonotic Risk for Pet Owners and Implications for Treatment Strategies for Veterinarians
The Impact of Living Near Industrial Areas on Bird Microbial Health
Dermatophytosis in Hedgehogs
Effective Treatment Options for Bumblefoot in Rodents and Small Exotic Animals: A Comprehensive Guide
Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is a skin infection on the feet of small pets like guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, ferrets, rabbits, and chinchillas. Here’s what you need to know about treating bumblefoot effectively and confidently in small exotic pets. What are the symptoms of bumblefoot in small exotic animals? In the early stages of bumblefoot, noticeable signs include swelling and redness on the footpad. A characteristic feature is the emergence of a swollen, pus-filled bump, which is often accomp
Bumblefoot in Birds and Chickens: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Challenges
Bumblefoot, also known as pododermatitis, is a common infection in captive birds and chickens that can be unassuming but fatal if left untreated. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to effectively treat bumblefoot in avian patients. We will delve into: What causes bumblefoot? What are the stages of bumblefoot symptoms? FAQ for pet owners on bumblefoot in birds FAQ for pet owners on bumblefoot in chickens Why can bumblefoot treatment be difficult? Causes of bumblefoot Bumble
Ringworm in Guinea Pigs: Bald Spots, Scratching, and the Road to Relief
Guinea pigs are very social creatures with a host of emotions packed into little bodies. They make wonderful pets for children or adults and will show you their appreciation with a variety of chirps and squeals when they’re excited and happy. Think of them as tiny Siberian Huskies; heightened emotional states and are very vocal about them. When you first brought little Wilbur home, he may have been a bit shy. Then he learned the sound of the refrigerator as the source of all his fresh vegetables
Lumps and Bumps on a Cat’s Skin
Cats are affectionate creatures (albeit on their own terms) and when Fluffy demands that scratch under her chin or a stroke down her back, you may come across a lump, bump, or even some crusts. The fastidious nature of cats means that what you’ve found isn’t likely to be foreign material stuck in her fur, but actually some changes within the skin itself. MiDOG Next-Gen Sequencing Technology may be appropriate in assisting with a diagnosis, but first, let’s discuss the types of skin lesions you m
Diagnosing Feline Fungal Infections
Just like humans, cats can suffer fungal infections! Fungi are parasitic spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter. While there are roughly 144,000 known species of fungi that exist, cats are susceptible to only select fungal infections. Fungal infections can be passed on to cats through ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through skin, with environmental exposure to soil with pathogenic fungus being the primary mode of transmission for cats. And so without further ado, here are th
Avian Aspergillosis: Diagnosing Fungal Respiratory Tract Infections
Just like humans, birds can experience fungal infections too! Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection in pet birds that impacts both the upper respiratory tract (eyes, sinuses, nose, and trachea) and lower respiratory tract (lungs and air sacs). This infection is caused by opportunistic fungi from Aspergillus spp., and can be challenging to identify and resistant to treatment. Consequently, it is important for any bird owner to be aware of signs of this difficult-to-diagnose disease. Aspergil
Pasteurellosis in Rabbits: Advancements in Clinical Diagnostics
Did you know that approximately 30%-90% of seemingly healthy rabbits may be asymptomatic carriers of Pasteurella multocida [1]? This bacterium causes pasteurellosis, which commonly impacts not only the rabbit’s respiratory system, but can also localize in eyes, ears, skin, reproductive organs, and more [1]. While the symptoms of pasteurellosis are broad and may appear benign, visiting a veterinarian is crucial in preventing the disease from becoming chronic and difficult to control. Symptoms of
Why is My Cat Itching?: Allergies and the Feline Microbiome
Has your cat been itching and scratching their skin more often than normal? If so, your furry friend may be suffering from feline dermatitis! Feline dermatitis is a general term that describes inflammation or irritation of the skin [1]. This condition can manifest in several ways, and has long been associated with allergies and environmental factors [2]. However, Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) technology has allowed veterinarians and researchers to understand the more complex, multifactorial etiology
Skin Microbiota of Quaker Parrots: Advancements in Avian Clinical Diagnostics
Feather damaging behavior (FDB) is particularly common in captive birds, with an estimated prevalence rate of 11.7% in psittacines [1]. FDB can be difficult for pet owners and veterinarians to prevent, and can often be debilitating for your feathery friend. Fortunately, new research on this difficult-to-treat condition is on the horizon! In the past, diagnosing parrot skin diseases has proven to be difficult because there has not been a baseline for the parrot epidermal microbiome, both in birds
Webinar: Effect of Topical Medication on The Nasomaxillary Skin Fold Microbiome of French Bulldogs
A recent study was conducted using MiDOG NGS technology to assess the skin fold microbiome in healthy French bulldogs. This study found that the primary skin bacterial phyla populating the nasomaxillary skin fold were Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, while the primary skin fungal phyla were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Also, the researchers noted a significant correlation between the abundance of potentially opportunistic pathogens and microbial diversity. Healthy French bulldogs contained high
Interview with Dermatology Specialist: Dr. Alissa Rexo (Part 2)
Antibiotic resistance is an increasing global problem, both for public and animal health and welfare. Considering antibiotic resistance is influenced not only by human and animal antibiotic use, but also by intrinsic resistance exhibited by some pathogenic microorganisms, understanding the clinical implications of animal skin microbiomes is becoming increasingly important. With contemporary research employing the use of Next-Gen Sequencing to aptly characterize the skin microbiome of various ani
French Bulldog Skin Problems: Infections & the Nasomaxillary Skin Fold Microbiome
Bulldogs, boxers, and pugs, oh my! These are just a few of the many breeds of brachycephalic dogs, defined as dogs with flattened faces [1]. As cute as their smooshed faces may be, these breeds are particularly prone to skin infections (like intertrigo) due to moisture-retaining skin folds that provide the ideal breeding ground for opportunistic bacteria and fungi [1]. A recent study using Next-Gen DNA Sequencing (NGS) was conducted to assess the skin fold microbiome in healthy French bulldogs a
Dermatophytosis: Diagnosing Fungal Infections in Ferrets
Fungal infections are never fun, and your ferret agrees! Dermatophytosis, which is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, and/or nails, is particularly common in ferrets [1]. If your ferret seems to have an unusual skin condition, it is worthwhile to take your furry friend to an exotic pet veterinarian since your ferret may have a dermatophytosis infection. Dermatophytosis is uncomfortable but treatable; however, this fungal infection is highly contagious and is a zoonotic disease (meaning it can
Reptilian Fungal Infections: Diagnosing Yellow Fungus Disease
Who you calling yellow-bellied? It may not be your reptile’s lack of courage, but rather an infection causing the yellow hue on your scaly friend’s skin. This infection goes by several names, including Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV), Yellow Fungus Disease (YFD), CANV mycosis, and most recently Onygenalean Dermatomycoses [1]. Debate surrounding the name of the disease stems largely from advancements in technology that have revealed several microorganisms can cause this inf
Pruritus in Dogs: Home Remedies for Dogs With Itchy Skin
They scritch and they scratch, but the itch doesn’t seem to go away! Pruritus, the medical term for itching, is one of the most common reasons for dog parents to bring their furry friend to the veterinarian [1]. Pruritus can indicate several medical conditions, ranging from flea allergy dermatitis, seasonal allergies, food allergies, contact dermatitis, sarcoptic mange, and more [1]. Moreover, pruritus has a multifactorial etiology that can be further complicated by secondary bacterial infection
Avian Chlamydiosis: How to Detect Bacterial Infections in Your Pet Bird
Your pet bird may be singing a different tune if they contract Avian Chlamydiosis. Avian Chlamydiosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Chlamydiophila psittaci, with the highest rates of infection being found in psittacine birds such as parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels [1]. Considering an estimated 16%-81% of parrots are infected with C. psittaci, it is important for any bird owner to be aware of signs of this difficult-to-diagnose disease [2]. Avian Chlamydiosis is painful
Three Bacterial Infections Your Chameleon May Hide From You
Chameleons are masters of disguise, especially when it comes to their well-being. Evolutionarily, chameleons have become adept at hiding possible sicknesses from predators, making it difficult for pet owners to identify warning signs of various maladies. Consequently, understanding possible sources of infections and how they manifest is critical for chameleon owners. It is important to note that while this article is going to focus on bacterial infections, there are several other diseases (rangi
Essential Oils For Dogs: A Risk Not Worth Taking
Essential Oils Background For those who haven’t yet taken the deep dive into the essential oils fad, here’s a quick breakdown of what they are. Essential oil is the final extract from a plant when it is exposed to either steam distillation, cold-presses, or different organic solvents. The process of extracting essential oil from a plant basically concentrates a lot of the naturally occurring compounds in the plant into an oil that can be readily used for a variety of purposes. Essential oils can