Veterinary Dermatology Course

Lesson 1 • Skin Anatomy Across Species

Covers epidermis, dermis, and subcutis layers in dogs, cats, horses, and exotic species. Establishes the anatomical baseline required for all subsequent diagnostic reasoning.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to Dermatological Terminology

Defines primary and secondary lesion terminology used in clinical description. Accurate terminology enables precise communication and record-keeping throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Hair Follicle Biology and Coat Types

Describes hair follicle cycling, growth phases, and breed-related coat variation. Provides context for diagnosing alopecia and follicular disorders later in the course.

Lesson 1 • Structured Dermatological History Taking

Teaches a stepwise approach to gathering signalment, onset, progression, and environmental data. A complete history narrows the differential list before physical examination begins.

Lesson 2 • Systematic Skin Examination Technique

Guides full-body skin inspection using a consistent regional approach. Systematic technique prevents missed lesions and supports accurate lesion mapping.

Lesson 3 • Building the Problem List and Differentials

Synthesizes history and examination findings into a ranked differential diagnosis list. This clinical reasoning step bridges examination skills to diagnostic planning.

Lesson 4 • Pruritus Assessment and Scoring

Introduces validated pruritus scoring scales and behavioral indicators of itch. Objective scoring enables treatment response monitoring across visits.

Lesson 1 • Allergy Testing Methods

Compares intradermal skin testing and serum allergen-specific IgE testing for atopic disease. Understanding test limitations guides appropriate patient selection and result interpretation.

Lesson 2 • Advanced Diagnostic Sampling

Introduces trichoscopy, bacterial culture with sensitivity, and impression smears for complex cases. These techniques supplement routine diagnostics when first-line tests are inconclusive.

Lesson 3 • Skin Scraping and Cytology

Covers superficial and deep scraping methods alongside cytological smear preparation. These rapid in-clinic tests identify mites, bacteria, and yeast in most common presentations.

Lesson 4 • Dermatophyte Culture and Wood's Lamp

Explains fungal culture media, incubation, and colony identification alongside Wood's lamp screening. Accurate culture technique reduces false negatives in ringworm diagnosis.

Lesson 1 • Demodicosis: Localized and Generalized

Differentiates juvenile-onset localized from generalized demodicosis and adult-onset immunosuppressed forms. Treatment selection depends on age, extent, and underlying immune status.

Lesson 2 • Cheyletiellosis and Ear Mites

Covers walking dandruff presentation, Otodectes diagnosis, and treatment in multi-pet households. Recognizing these highly contagious mites prevents spread within clinics and homes.

Lesson 3 • Tick-Related and Large Animal Parasites

Addresses tick attachment reactions, chorioptic mange in horses, and lice infestations in livestock. Large animal parasite management requires herd-level treatment planning.

Lesson 4 • Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Covers flea biology, hypersensitivity pathogenesis, and clinical presentation in dogs and cats. Flea allergy is the most common allergic skin disease and anchors parasite management skills.

Lesson 1 • Contact and Drug Hypersensitivity

Covers irritant vs. allergic contact dermatitis, patch testing, and cutaneous drug reaction patterns. Identifying the offending agent is essential for resolution of these conditions.

Lesson 2 • Feline Hypersensitivity Reaction Patterns

Identifies the four feline reaction patterns—miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic complex, self-induced alopecia, and head/neck pruritus—and their allergic triggers.

Lesson 3 • Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy

Teaches immunotherapy formulation, injection and sublingual protocols, and response monitoring. Immunotherapy is the only disease-modifying treatment for atopic dermatitis.

Lesson 4 • Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Covers diagnostic criteria, breed predispositions, and the role of barrier dysfunction in canine atopy. Atopic dermatitis is the most complex allergic condition and requires a multimodal approach.

Lesson 1 • Dermatophytosis Across Species

Addresses Microsporum and Trichophyton infections in dogs, cats, horses, and livestock with species-specific treatment protocols. Ringworm management requires both patient treatment and environmental decontamination.

Lesson 2 • Viral and Protozoal Skin Diseases

Covers papillomavirus, poxvirus, and Leishmania cutaneous manifestations and their diagnostic approaches. Recognition of these less common infections prevents misdiagnosis as more routine conditions.

Lesson 3 • Superficial and Deep Pyoderma

Differentiates impetigo, superficial bacterial folliculitis, and deep pyoderma by depth and clinical signs. Correct depth classification determines treatment duration and route of administration.

Lesson 4 • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Infections

Covers MRSP and MRSA epidemiology, culture and sensitivity requirements, and topical-first treatment strategies. Antimicrobial stewardship principles are central to managing resistant infections.

Lesson 1 • Hypothyroidism and Skin Disease

Describes the dermatological signs of hypothyroidism including alopecia, myxedema, and seborrhea. Skin changes are often the presenting complaint that prompts thyroid function testing.

Lesson 2 • Hyperadrenocorticism and Skin Changes

Covers the cutaneous signs of Cushing's syndrome including calcinosis cutis, thin skin, and comedones. Dermatological findings often precede systemic signs and guide endocrine workup.

Lesson 3 • Nutritional and Metabolic Dermatoses

Covers zinc-responsive dermatosis, hepatocutaneous syndrome, and essential fatty acid deficiency. Metabolic skin diseases require dietary and systemic investigation alongside dermatological assessment.

Lesson 4 • Integrating Systemic Workup with Skin Findings

Teaches how to sequence bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging alongside skin diagnostics for endocrine cases. Efficient workup sequencing reduces cost and time to diagnosis for the patient.

Lesson 1 • Lupus Erythematosus in Small Animals

Differentiates discoid lupus erythematosus from systemic lupus and describes nasal planum depigmentation patterns. DLE is the second most common autoimmune skin disease and is often manageable topically.

Lesson 2 • Pemphigus Complex and Autoimmune Blistering

Covers pemphigus foliaceus, vulgaris, and erythematosus with their histopathological features and immunosuppressive treatment. Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs and cats.

Lesson 3 • Common Cutaneous Tumors

Covers mast cell tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and histiocytoma with staging and surgical margins. Tumor grading directly determines treatment intensity and prognosis.

Lesson 4 • Cutaneous Lymphoma and Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Describes epitheliotropic lymphoma staging, paraneoplastic alopecia in cats, and superficial necrolytic dermatitis. These advanced presentations require oncology collaboration and systemic staging.