Maltese Dog with Exfoliative Dermatitis and Inflammatory Alopecia

Detailed Report

Charly was brought in for a visit on February 14 due to skin lesions. The dog lives indoors, follows a homemade diet, and parasite prevention is not being followed.

The owner reports itching, which the dog shows by nibbling its tail and licking its testicles.

The general physical examination was normal; during the dermatological exam, the dog showed inflammatory alopecia on the tail and scrotum, exfoliative dermatitis
(heavy dandruff) on the tips of the ears. A Scotch tape test was performed and tested positive for flea feces. The trichogram revealed the presence of follicular casts typical of sebaceous adenitis, the cause of which needs to be differentiated (DAP? vs Leishmaniasis?).

I propose a blood sample to perform leishmania testing, complete blood count, and biochemical profile. However, the owner refused to have Charly undergo the blood draw. I started treatment with Aloeplus Dermo Spray and Syrup.

After 7 days, the tail nibbling disappeared while the licking persisted but with less intensity. The lesions improved (less erythematous).

After 14 days, the itching disappeared. The tail and ear tips returned to normal, and the lesions affecting them resolved. The lesion on the scrotal skin significantly improved; it is no longer erythematous but some scales and crusts remain.

On the 18th day, the itching was resolved and the skin of the tail, ears, and scrotum appeared intact. Only some dandruff scales trapped in the hair remain. Charly is healed, stops the treatment, and follows parasite prevention.