PURDUE    JB   ,
veterinary medical
VOLUME 8, NUMBER 2
SUMMER- FALL 1982
Clinical Dermatology at Purdue
Improving the Quality of Life for Companion Animals
A.R. Allen
Based on a survey conducted in 1978, it
is estimated that 20-25 percent of small
animal practice activities in the United
States are devoted to problems of the
skin and haircoat and related services.
This information supports a belief that
dermatologic problems must be addressed
in veterinary medical curricula, in clinical
A.R.Allen
The Dorothy Lynn research project. Surface pH reaf^e are taken with a contact
probe and re^Wded for analysis. Noel is a
willing subject for the laboratory's staff,
Dr. Blakemore and Kay Albright.
instruction, in service activities, in continuing education, and in research. To
help meet these needs, the Dermatology
Laboratory was established in the Small
Animal Clinic in 1970. The primary goal
is to improve the quality of life for companion animals and their owners while
providing an educational base for all levels of instruction, and supporting investigative efforts on a wide array of skin disorders. In support of this goal, a close affiliation is maintained with the Department of Dermatology of the Indiana University School of Medicine.
It is believed that hypothyroidism is a
common and important underlying cause
for many chronic disorders of dogs. In
clinical trials with Mitaban^ (Upjohn) for
the treatment of demodicosis, it was
found that all but one of the severe generalized cases were hypothyroid. Because
hypothyroidism appears to be a pre-existing problem, it is recommended that
early mild cases of demodicosis be tested
in order to establish a prognosis. Those
that are hypothyroid have a much more
guarded prognosis, and aggressive treatment should be initiated promptly. It is
also felt that hypothyroidism, with its adverse effect on vascular perfusion is a factor in such diverse disorders as disc syndrome, perianal fistula, keratitis sicca,
cardiomyopathy, lameness, reproductive
problems and a host of other disorders.
Alleviation of hypothyroidism with appropriate supplementation is an important step in the mangement of many patients.
Current research is concerned with skin
surface pH and temperature in health,
and, in some common disorders. Like
man, many animal species have an acidic
surface pH. It is not uncommon to find
areas of a person's skin that have a pH of
5.5 or lower—which is quite acidic. This
is the basis for the "acid mantle" theory
which holds that acidity helps to provide
a barrier against bacterial infection on the
skin. In contrast, the average surface pH
of dogs is above 7.0—that is, slightly alkaline. This is important for several reasons:
1) there is no "acid mantle" as a protective barrier; 2) materials used on canine
skin have been basically those used on human skin; and 3) materials used on canine
skin must also be satisfactory for contact
with human skin.   So far, only minor dif
ferences in surface pH between normal
dogs and those with inhalant allergy, food
allergy, flea allergy, hypothyroidism and
demodicosis, are being observed. These
are at most preliminary findings since
normal values for many breeds and varieties have not been reported. This long-
term study has been initiated through the
generous support of Mrs. Dorothy Lynn,
wife of the late Charles Lynn, for whom
Lynn Hall was named.
As a part of this project, data on surface
temperatures are being recorded. The
study  has  shown that surface tempera-
Clinical application of research findings is
a major goal. Here, surface temperature
readings are being explained to client
Mary Ann Souers.
prostration in these individuals in the hot
and humid midwestern summers, a summer clip is strongly recommended.
Through clinical experience and research,
Cycle Intensifies
9,-::
*?     —,
UNDERLYING
CAUSE
Examples: UJ    I Itching
Inhalant Allergy |   ^T      I Inflammation
I Dietary Allergy   I W Seborrhea
Insect Allergy    J l^e'* Trauma
Hypothyroidism
1
Decreased Resistance
Poor Ti^cuo Repai'
Seborrhea
|     w Staph.
^   Infection
I
Staph.
jr Seb
!>*. ltd
\*
Seborrhea
ect Damage |
Itching
PANAGEMENT
1. Attack underlying cause
2. Test, provide thyroid hormone, if needed      4.
3. Bacteriocidal antibiotic 5.
I
\
Bacterial
^"Allergy
|.W Compounded
Disorder
I   Decreased
i     Skin
Re moisturize skin
Cleanse skin gently
Bacterial vaccine, if needed
Judicious use of corticosteroids for relief
The Life Cycle of a Skin Problem.
tures may be significantly reduced on the
ear flaps of hypothyroid dogs—another
indication that vascular perfusion is decreased in this disorder. With decreased
perfusion, hair growth may be suppressed
and lesions may occur more frequently
on the ear flaps. This study has also indicated that heat dissipation through the
skin is important to dogs. Heat dissipation through panting is apparently not
sufficient for large dogs with thick hair-
coats.   To prevent heat distress and heat
a schema has been developed that helps
to explain why so many different skin
disorders of dogs appear to be so much a-
like. As the schema shows, a consistent
pattern of symptoms evolves from a diversity of underlying causes. The model
also provides a systematic approach to
care of these patients. Treatment of symptoms can proceed while the underlying
cause is sought and remedied. The diagram is also useful in client education.
James C. Blakemore, D. V.M.
Distinguished Alumnus Recognized
L. Kirk Clark Fourth Award Recipient
At the Annual Conference and Alumni
Reunion Banquet on Thursday evening, 9
September, Dr. L. Kirk Clark, Class of
1965, became the fourth recipient of the
School of Veterinary Medicine's Distinguished Alumnus Award. The recognition consists of an inscribed plaque,
which goes to the awardee, the hanging of
a portrait in the Alumni/Faculty Lounge,
and the placing of the name on a master
plaque which also hangs in the lounge.
Dr. Clark's plaque inscription reads:
In recognition of the talents, dedication,
and concern, which combined, have produced a public servant recognized locally,
state-wide, and nationally, for the quality
of veterinary medical practice rendered,
for leadership in organized veterinary
medicine, and for community interests-
all of which have been accomplished
while holding fast society's most fundamental and treasured unit, the family—
and while maintaining vigorous support
for the school which provided him an opportunity to acquire the needed credentials, and which now claims him as a distinguished son.
Receipt of the award coincided with a career shift for Dr. Clark, who, since 1967,
has been in practice in Rensselaer, Indiana, and who is now enrolled in a doctoral program in the College of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Minnesota, St.
Paul.
L. Martin
'-k Sf
L. Kirk Clark with Dean Stockton and Dr. Clark's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vance Clark of
Fair Oaks, Indiana, and the plaque proclaiming him a Distinguished Alumnus, presented at the Annual Conference and Alumni Reunion, 9 September 1982.