1,433
edits
Changes
Skin Scrape Procedure (view source)
Revision as of 17:22, 22 November 2011
, 17:22, 22 November 2011no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Skin scrapings are an important technique in the diagnosis of skin disease for all mammals and some reptiles and fish. They are particularly valuable in parasitological investigations.
Skin scrapings are a very common and important technique in the diagnosis of skin disease for all mammals and some reptiles and fish. They are particularly valuable in '''parasitological investigations.'''
==Equipment==
Scalpel blade
Microscope
Oil or Liquid Paraffin
Surgical spirit or surgical scrub solution
Microscope slides and cover slips
==Preparation==
==Preparation==
The skin should preferably '''not be clipped or scrubbed prior''' to scraping as this will affect the sample quality. Clipping may be necessary in heavily haired areas but it should be avoided if possible. It is preferred to clean the area with surgical spirit or scrub afterwards.
Prepare a microscope slide with a drop of mineral oil or liquid paraffin placed in the centre.
'''No sedation or anaesthesia''' is usually required unless the animal's temperament prevents good quality samples being collected. Most animals tolerate the procedure very well.
==Procedure==
Choose the area that is to be sampled. It is best to scrape the '''periphery of any obvious lesions''' as this is where parasites tend to congregate and tissue is healthiest. '''Several samples''' should be taken from different regions as parasites can be very difficult to find.
Run the scalpel blade along the desired area '''repeatedly in the same direction at an angle of ~45 degrees'''. It may be beneficial to '''dip the blade''' in a small amount of oil or liquid paraffin prior to scraping. Continue until the skin shows '''petechial haemorrhages'''. Do not continue until bleeding is copious as this will cloud the slide and make interpretation difficult. It is important that '''deep skin scrapes''' like this are taken when scraping for suspect [[Demodex|demodex mites]] or other deep burrowing mites, so that the hair follicle bulbs can be analysed.
It may be prudent to scrape this way for any suspect parasitic infection as it will reveal both superficial and deep mites.
Tissue should then be transferred from the scalpel to a '''clean microscope slide''' with a '''small amount of oil/liquid paraffin''' already placed on the slide and gently spread over the surface of the slide. A '''cover slip''' should then be added.
==Interpretation==
==Interpretation==
Slides should be examined '''systematically under a light microscope at 100x magnification'''. The light output should be reduced for best mite visualisation. Alternatively, they can be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
[[Category:Pathological Sample Collection]] [[Category:Clinical Techniques]]
[[Category:Pathological Sample Collection]] [[Category:Clinical Techniques]]
==References==
Muller, G. H., Kirk, R. W., Scott, D. W., Griffin, C. W (2001) Small Animal Dermatology. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Rosenfeld, A. J., Dial, S. M (2010) '''Clinical Pathology for the Veterinary Team'''. Wiley & Sons.