Demodex, Otodectes, scabies, or other mites may be visible on cytologic preparations if the infection is severe enough. Illustrated with high-quality photomicrographs, Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Cytology: The Skin and Subcutis is a comprehensive resource for identifying through cytology the most common cutaneous and subcutaneous diseases of dogs and cats. Bacteria are the most common infectious organisms I find on cytologic examination. Fluid builds up inside skin cysts in dogs, causing a swelling on the surface of the skin. Copyright © 2021 Today's Veterinary Practice. Most keratinocytes are octagonal to square and squamous in composition. Samples for cytologic evaluation are collected by fine needle aspira - tion, touch impression, or gentle tissue scraping. Eosinophils produce numerous cytokines and mediators to kill microorganisms and attract other cells, such as mast cells. CUTANEOUS CYTOLOGY DIFF-QUICK® PROCEDURE Watch the video to review this procedure. These granules are present in immature skin cells in the granular layer and are involved in “cementing” the cells together when fully mature. Defect in epidermis that does not penetrate basement membrane. Nuclear streaming looks like fine threads of eosinophilic material (Figure 10). Remember, quick stains stain all bacteria purple; they do not distinguish gram-positive from gram-negative bacteria. Cytology involves examination of a tissue or fluid sample. This book discusses canine and feline skin cytology and the importance of this diagnostic tool in interpreting skin lesions. 2013). In my experience, skin cytology is the diagnostic test most commonly missed in everyday referral cases. Large lymphocytes are sometimes seen in dogs with cutaneous lymphoma (Figure 8). 4. Using a cotton-tipped applicator broken in half. Starting at 4× allows identification of specific areas of the slide for examination at higher powers. Dogs have round granules and cats have rod-shaped granules (similar to eosinophils; Figure 14). Content. Stain the tape like a slide, let it air dry and press it onto a slide or put a drop of the blue stain o DiffQuick. A defect in epidermis that penetrates the basement membrane. They are about half the size of an average red blood cell. In patients with suspected pemphigoid diseases (erosions, Rods → culture and susceptibility advisable, Inflammatory cells with intracellular bacteria → clinically relevant infection that may require systemic antibiotic treatment, Eosinophils → can point to ectoparasites or allergies, Macrophages → seen in chronic, sterile and infectious processes, Slides, DiffQuick® or similar stain, mineral oil, adhesive tape, microscope, needle and syringe. With more than 600 clinical and cytological color pictures, it explains the cytological patterns observed in all cutaneous inflammatory and neoplastic lesions in cats and dogs, as well as cutaneous metastasis of non-primary skin neoplasms. Mast cells are also found later in a disease process (Figure 9). They are the major producer of histamine and are involved to a large extent in allergic skin disease. Dry, Flaky Skin. The best method for obtaining material from the ear is with a cotton-tipped applicator; however, the health of the ear may limit access to sampling sites. Bacterial cultures should be performed any time rods are seen on cytology. Rogers KR, Barton CL, Habron JM: Cytology during surgery. With more than 600 clinical and cytological color pictures, it explains the cytological patterns observed in all cutaneous inflammatory and neoplastic lesions in cats and dogs, as well as cutaneous metastasis of non-primary skin neoplasms. 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