Dermatology

Course Overview

This course has three different parts. The first part of this course focuses on a group of dermatological diseases of enormous importance and that do not stop growing: the genodermatoses or diseases of genetic origin. The improvement in the molecular tools has allowed the identification of the genetic defect underlying many common hereditary skin diseases, as ichthyosis, paw pad hyperkeratosis or acral mutilation syndrome. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent genetic skin diseases will be discussed in detail. The second part of the course focuses on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases due to behavioural disorders. The third part discusses the clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of the main skin neoplasms.

Learning outcomes:
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Diagnose and manage most prevalent genodermatoses of dogs and cats. Understand and correctly use genetic tests.
2. Diagnose and treat most prevalent skin diseases of dogs and cats caused by behavioural disorders.
3. Diagnose and treat most prevalent skin neoplasms of dogs and cats.
4. Follow a correct diagnostic protocol to diagnose a dog/cat with single/multiple skin nodules.

Main topics:

Skin diseases of genetic origin (genodermatoses). Cause and origin of the genodermatoses. Ichthyoses and hyperkeratotic diseases. Alopecic diseases. Epidermolytic diseases. Other genodermatoses. Diagnosis and investigation of a genodermatosis.

Psychogenic and behavioural dermatoses. Canine psychogenic dermatoses (Acral lick dermatitis, tail biting and flank sucking). Feline psychogenic dermatoses.

Cutaneous neoplasms. Diagnostic approach to skin nodules and tumours. Main skin neoplasms. Principles of surgical oncology applied to skin and sub-cutaneous tumors.
Cryotherapy. Principles of chemotherapy in skin neoplasms.

Therapy focus:
Psychotropic drugs: mechanisms of action, indications, and use.
Behavioural therapy for psychogenic dermatoses.

Wetlabs:

Cytology of epithelial tumours of dogs and cats (I)
This lecture will cover the most common benign / malignant neoplasms of the skin of dogs and cats, ranging from follicular tumours to squamous cell carcinoma and neoplasms of specialised glands. Non neoplastic epithelial lesions (e.g. follicular cysts) will also be briefly covered.

Cytology of mesenchymal tumours of dogs and cats (II)
This lecture will be focused on the most common benign / malignant neoplasms of the skin and subcutis of dogs and cats, with particular attention to soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) in dogs. In the second part of the presentation, melanocytic neoplasms will also be discussed.

Cytology of round cell tumours of dogs and cats (II)
This lecture will cover all round cell tumours of the skin and subcutis of dogs and cats, with particular attention to the diagnostic approach to canine cutaneous mast cell tumours and its cytology grading.

Journal clubs.

Course program

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