Lipids play a critical role in the skin as components of the epidermal barrier and as signaling and antimicrobial molecules. Atopic dermatitis in dogs is associated with changes in the lipid composition of the skin, but whether these precede or follow the onset of dermatitis is unclear. We applied rapid lipid-profiling mass spectrometry to skin and blood of 30 control and 30 atopic dogs. Marked differences in lipid profiles were observed between control, nonlesional, and lesional skin. The lipid composition of blood from control and atopic dogs was different, indicating systemic changes in lipid metabolism. Female and male dogs differed in the degree of changes in the skin and blood lipid profiles. Treatment with oclacitinib or lokivetmab ameliorated the skin condition and caused changes in skin and blood lipids. A set of lipid features of the skin was selected as a biomarker that classified samples as control or atopic dermatitis with 95% accuracy, whereas blood lipids discriminated between control and atopic dogs with 90% accuracy. These data suggest that canine atopic dermatitis is a systemic disease and support the use of rapid lipid profiling to identify novel biomarkers.

Evaluation of kennel flooring surfaces is needed to understand their impacts on dog health and well-being. This pilot study aimed to characterize aspects of physical health, kennel cleanliness, and dog body cleanliness on flooring types common in US breeding kennels. Subjects were 118 adult dogs housed on diamond-coated expanded metal (DCEM), polypropylene (POLY), or concrete (CON) flooring at five commercial breeding facilities in Indiana, U.S. Body condition, paw, elbow, and hock health scores were recorded. Each indoor kennel and dog was visually assessed for cleanliness. Kennels were swabbed immediately after cleaning with electrostatic dry cloths and cultured for Escherichia coli. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Mean body condition score (BCS), kennel and dog cleanliness scores were all near ideal (3, 1.15, and 1.04, respectively). Thirty-one percent or fewer kennels at each facility were culture-positive for E. coli after cleaning. No serious paw, elbow, or hock problems were identified. Overall, the findings indicate that with appropriate management and regular access to additional surfaces, dog foot health, cleanliness, and kennel cleanliness can be maintained on the flooring types investigated.

Practical relevance: Cutaneous immune-mediated diseases in cats can present with clinical signs of erythema, hair loss, scaling/crusting, and erosions with or without pruritus, mimicking many differential diagnoses such as hypersensitivity dermatitis and infections (eg, parasitic and fungal dermatitis). Veterinarians are encouraged to become familiar with the characteristic clinical features of various immune-driven skin disorders to permit early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Clinical challenges: Diagnosis and therapeutic management of feline immune-mediated skin diseases can be challenging. Although immune-mediated skin diseases in cats are rare, these can be associated with severe systemic clinical signs, which can lead to poor quality of life and owners electing euthanasia. Aims: In the second of a two-part article series, the clinical presentations of the feline immune-mediated skin diseases erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum, plasma cell pododermatitis, proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa, pseudopelade, alopecia areata and auricular chondritis are reviewed and differential diagnoses, diagnosis and therapeutic approach are discussed. In Part 1, the equivalent is discussed for feline immune-mediated skin diseases related to the pemphigus complex, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and thymoma- and non-thyoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis. Evidence base: The information in this article is based on a review of the existing veterinary literature.

Practical relevance: Cutaneous immune-mediated diseases in cats can present with clinical signs of erythema, hair loss, scaling/crusting and erosions with or without pruritis, mimicking many differential diagnoses such as hypersensitivity dermatitis and infections (eg, parasitic and fungal dermatitis). Veterinarians are encouraged to become familiar with the characteristic clinical features of various immune-driven skin disorders to permit early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Clinical challenges: Diagnosis and therapeutic management of feline immune-mediated skin diseases can be challenging. Although immune-mediated skin diseases in cats are rare, these can be associated with severe systemic clinical signs, which can lead to poor quality of life and owners electing euthanasia. Aims: In the first of a two-part article series, the clinical presentations of feline immune-mediated skin diseases related to the pemphigus complex, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and thymoma- and non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis are reviewed and differential diagnoses, diagnosis and therapeutic approach are discussed. In Part 2, the equivalent is discussed for erythema multiforme, f Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum, plasma cell pododermatitis, proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa, pseudopelade, alopecia areata and auricular chondritis. Evidence base: The information in this article is based on a review of the existing veterinary literature.