If, as the poets have said, the eyes are the mirror of the soul, then in a somewhat less romantic vein, it can be said that the skin — including that of our four-legged companions — is the mirror of the body. "Thinking of the skin 'merely' as the most superficial anatomical structure of the body, the seat of diseases coming exclusively from the outside, is the wrong approach," explains Michela Galgano, veterinary surgeon. "On the contrary, it is very often the skin itself that raises suspicions about the animal's true state of health, perhaps steering the diagnosis towards internal organs that, at first glance, seemed to have nothing to do with the skin lesions." These are the cases in which the vet cannot do without a thorough clinical assessment of the four-legged patient, drawing on all the diagnostic tools available and resisting the temptation to resolve everything straight away.

Dermatology and wellbeing

Observation, study and a great deal of patience. These are the indispensable tools for reaching an accurate dermatological diagnosis — along, of course, with a few reliable laboratory instruments. Unlike other branches of veterinary medicine, dermatology does not require particularly sophisticated or prohibitively expensive equipment. As Michela Galgano explains: "All you need is a good microscope, an ultraviolet lamp and the disposable materials to carry out a few tests, which are always relatively straightforward." An example? The skin biopsy — that is, the removal of a tiny portion of skin for microscopic examination. It is an entirely painless procedure that takes no more than a few minutes. "And yet it allows us to provide fundamental information for an accurate diagnosis," the vet continues. "Although in some cases the problem lies in the interpretation or reading of these tests. I personally sometimes prefer to send biopsy results to specialist laboratories, which always offer excellent reliability guarantees." Even the most refined diagnosis, however indispensable, does not automatically mean the problem is resolved. At that point, a specific — or, as we say today, targeted — course of treatment is required.

Advances in veterinary dermatology

Fortunately, recent advances in veterinary dermatology have not stopped at the diagnostic stage. To give just one example, only a few years ago corticosteroids were the main tool a vet could deploy. The extremely powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity of these drugs is capable of suppressing almost every type of skin problem not linked to the presence of external parasites. "This happens only temporarily and with the risk of serious side effects," adds Michela Galgano. "And the days of dogs literally poisoned by the 'little jab that lasts only a fortnight' or the 'tiny little tablets' given whenever the animal starts scratching are, in fact, coming to an end." Today the situation has changed radically thanks to the introduction of more specific and less harmful drugs. Indeed, if one were to sum up in two words the progress made in this field, it lies precisely in the drastic reduction in the clinical use of corticosteroids, which are now reserved for a small number of clearly identified conditions.

The most commonly used dermatological tests

As mentioned, unlike other branches of veterinary medicine, dermatology relies on relatively straightforward diagnostic procedures. As a rule, they are well tolerated even by the most restless dog, and their cost is always affordable. Let's look at them together.

Skin scraping. This involves collecting biological material by gently scraping the affected skin area with a small scalpel blade. The cells collected in this way, all belonging to the most superficial layer of the skin, are then placed on a slide and examined under a microscope. This test provides useful information on many occasions and is almost indispensable for diagnosing certain parasitic conditions.

Culture examination. This is used to determine with certainty the presence of micro-organisms at the site of the lesion and, where applicable, to identify their type. The starting material — consisting of pus, hair or crusts — is spread onto specially prepared plates containing one or more culture media, each specific to a particular micro-organism. After a variable period of between 24 hours and a few days, the presence or absence of micro-organism colonies is assessed. Entirely painless, this type of test is today within reach of any vet who is not satisfied with a generic diagnosis. It is used to establish a targeted antibiotic therapy, and is fundamental for ascertaining the fungal origin of certain infections.

Skin biopsy. A small portion of skin is removed and subjected to microscopic examination in order to obtain a precise diagnosis. The test is well tolerated and can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. The portion of skin removed is processed, stained and sectioned to prepare the slides for reading under the microscope. The small wound that remains heals perfectly in a very short time.

The skin: a delicate balance

The skin is not merely the body's "wrapping", but a truly complex organ, like the liver, the intestine or the lungs. This is something that even the most attentive owner sometimes forgets — by going too far with grooming routines. Excessively frequent baths damage the skin's superficial film. On this extremely thin layer, which covers the entire skin surface, lives a beneficial bacterial flora that acts as a protective barrier against many potentially harmful microbial agents. And that's not all: further damage can also result from the alteration of the skin's pH caused by unsuitable cleaning products. It is therefore better not to resort to bathing too often, and to rely on products specifically formulated for high skin tolerability. A comb and brush, in any case, are ideal for a thorough daily clean, which is essential for all coat types.