This study was conducted to determine the depth of perivascular-to-interstitial eosinophilic inflammation in skin-biopsy specimens from 43 cats with allergic dermatitis: atopic dermatitis (14), food hypersensitivity (15), and flea-bite hypersensitivity (14). All cats had “miliary dermatitis” or “nonlesional pruritus” cutaneous reaction patterns. Dermal inflammation was both superficial and deep in 93% of the cats. There was no difference in histopathologic reaction pattern based on clinical diagnosis or clinical cutaneous reaction pattern.

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In veterinary medicine, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has been increasing. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) in dogs is now increasingly common all over the world, and has also become a serious issue in veterinary dermatology practice in Japan. In the present study, we surveyed nasal carriage of MRSP and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in 104 healthy dogs in Japan, and compared the results with those of 102 patient dogs under secondary veterinary medical care. Nasal carriage rates of MRSP in healthy and patient dogs were 4.8% and 21.6%, respectively, and that of patient dogs was a significantly higher value (p<0.001), suggesting that patient dogs under secondary veterinary medical care were under antibiotic selective pressure. The MRSP carriage rate in healthy dogs in Japan was similar to those reported overseas. MRSA nasal carriage rates in healthy and patient dogs were 0% and 1.96%, respectively, with no significant difference between the two (p=0.244). Under antibiotic selective pressures, MRSA carriage rate in dogs didn’t increase significantly, suggesting that dogs have low potential as a reservoir of MRSA.

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A one-year-old, female toy poodle presented with a skin tear caused by a slicker brush. The skin was thin and movable, and the skin extension index was 21.2%. Histopathologic examination of the skin did not reveal any apparent morphological abnormalities. In electron microscope analysis, each collagen fascicle was wide spacing, and the fiber diameter was extremely heterogeneous. The findings were compatible with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The dog also showed bilateral medial patellar luxations (GII), and dysplasia of the occipital bone and cervical vertebrae in X-ray. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of canine Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with objective assessment of the skin and joints.

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A 1.3-year-old, female Border collie presented with a 2-month history of erythema, progressive scaling and hypopigmentation on the dorsal planum nasale extending to the muzzle and eyelids. Histopathological analysis of the nasal lesion revealed interface dermatitis. Erythema improved after the administration of oral tocopherol acetate and topical betamethasone for 2 weeks. However, the nasal lesion showed a discoid appearance with loss of its normal ‘cobblestone’ architecture, and progressive generalized leukotrichia was recognized. Ophthalmologic examination revealed no evidence of uveitis. A serum antinuclear antibody test was negative. Based on these findings, the present dog was considered to have vitiligo-like leukotrichia with discoid eruption.

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A 12.5-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthaired cat presented with an ellipsoid nodule, 8 ´ 10 cm in size on the cauda, which covered about 60% of the area on its perimeter. This nodule was not connected to the subcutis. The caudal vertebrae had no abnormality in an X-ray examination, and the noduleÕs margin was clear in an ultrasound examination. Purulent exudates with hemorrhage were observed, but no infectious agents were found in fungal and bacterial cultures. Cytology revealed small epithelioid cells with keratin materials, which suggested a benign follicular epithelial tumor. The owners insisted on avoiding amputation of the tail, therefore, plastic surgery advancement flap method using the skin at the base of nodule was selected. Moist healing was expected as a sequela. Histopathologic findings of the nodule were compatible with trichoepithelioma. The surgery site completely healed and became covered with regrowth hairs, and it has been disease free for 1.5 years.

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Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 20 dogs with superficial pyoderma at a primary veterinary hospital. Among the 20 isolates, 19 Staphylococcal strains were identified as S. pseudintermedius and one as S. schleiferi. The 20 isolates had three (15%) positive for mecA gene. Typing of Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) revealed all carried type V SCCmec. The mecA-positive S. pseudintermedius showed resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents other than β-lactams indicating multiple-drug resistant phenotype. Our results strongly suggest primary veterinary hospital clinicians should consider the possibility of mecA-positive S. pseudintermedius as an etiologic agent of canine pyoderma.

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