Future of the RCVS library.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C J Chesney.
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Over a period of one year, 251 dogs were presented to a UK-based dermatology referral clinic. Eighty-five of these were either diagnosed as having symptoms compatible with atopy (58 dogs), or suffered from chronic otitis or recurrent pyoderma. All 85 were placed on a carefully restricted diet for eight to nine weeks in an attempt to establish whether the symptoms were due to food sensitivity. In total, 19 were shown to have food sensitivity, representing 7.6 per cent of all dogs presented to the clinic, and one-third (32.7 per cent) of those dogs with signs compatible with a diagnosis of atopy. In five dogs with proven food sensitivity, otitis was the principal clinical sign and, in two others, recurrent pyoderma. In the population studied, labradors appeared to be predisposed to the condition. Improvement was monitored by asking owners to assess their dog's symptoms on an ordinal scale of pruritus. In those cases in which food sensitivity was confirmed, significant reduction in pruritus occurred. Most of these could be maintained long term on a commercial restricted-component diet. Particular effort was made to ensure owner compliance with the diet trials, using an explanation and model based upon a Venn diagram showing assumed links between atopy and several 'flare factors'. It was found that this approach significantly enhanced client understanding and cooperation. It is concluded that a careful approach, monitored by active clinical audit, will help to establish the true incidence of food sensitivity.
Twelve papers giving original data on canine food sensitivity in an acceptable form were reviewed, and the disorder was confirmed in 390 dogs. Most of the papers did not give either the criteria by which dogs were included in a trial, or information about dogs which had undergone a trial with a restricted diet but in which food sensitivity had not been observed. Only one author indicated how the degree of pruritus of the dogs in the study was assessed. The question of owner compliance in conducting a diet trial was not considered in any of the papers. The best available evidence comes from three of the studies covering 534 dogs in total, of which 93 (17 per cent) suffered food sensitivity.
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A form of Demodex species mite shorter in length than Demodex canis was found in six consecutive cases of canine demodicosis. The mean length of the parasite was 122.6 microns (SD 12.0 microns, 39 mites counted), significantly shorter than either male or female forms of D canis (P < 0.0001). The proportion of short to long mites in each case varied from 0.5 to 22 per 100. In young dogs, skin signs associated with the presence of mites were first noted after about seven months, while in the oldest subject the disease became apparent at 10 years of age. This form of mite has now been found in four countries over three continents, the findings suggesting that it is not uncommon and is acquired in puppyhood, although it may be carried unnoticed for many years.
Fleas were collected from 60 dogs and 32 cats living in south west England. Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ctenocephalides canis were found on both dogs and cats, with a marked preponderance of C felis felis on both species. More female fleas than males were found. There was no apparent tendency for C canis to be found more often in rural areas than in suburban areas. The survey confirmed the polyxenous nature of both species of flea. The significance of this state is discussed in relation to flea control, and the author concludes that it is unlikely that all significant flea species could be completely eliminated from the environment of pet animals.
The role of the stratum corneum both as a barrier to water loss from the body and as a biological microenvironment is well recognised, although most discussion of these topics is expressed in qualitative terms. This paper describes the use of techniques for the measurement of some aspects of the skin microclimate, and their application to canine skin. The techniques used were the assessment of skin moisture, hygroscopicity and water-holding capacity by measurement of skin electrical capacitance. Meaningful deductions regarding the water dynamics of certain skin sites can be drawn, and it was shown that significant differences in hydration exist between different skin sites. The techniques were also used to show that scaly skin is 'drier' than normal skin, and that the water dynamics of the non-lesional skin of atopic dogs does not differ from that of normal dogs.
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Skin scrapings taken from an adult neutered female cat were found to contain demodicid mites. These differed morphologically from Demodex cati but resembled a currently unnamed species which has recently been reported from the cat. Measurements of this parasite are given for the first time. The skin lesions were treated with rotenone, but the animal died within a few days of this treatment.