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[[Image:miliary dermatitis.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>'''Miliary dermatitis'''. Sourced from Wikimedia Commons</center></small>]]

 

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[[Image:miliary dermatitis.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>'''Mitral dyplasia'''. Courtesy of A. Jefferies</center></small>]]

 

 

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Feline Miliary Dermatitis (FMD) is a multifactorial disease of cats characterised by multiple papulocrustous lesions of the skin. The term "miliary" is commonly used to describe the millet-seed like appearance of the typical lesions of miliary dermatitis.  

Feline Miliary Dermatitis (FMD) is a multifactorial disease of cats characterised by multiple papulocrustous lesions of the skin. The term "miliary" is commonly used to describe the millet-seed like appearance of the typical lesions of miliary dermatitis.  

Miliary dermatitis is a manifestation of an underlying pruritic skin disease the most common of which is ''flea allergy dermatitis'' ('''''FAD''''') which accounts for approximately 85 % of cases. It is also seen in cases of allergic skin disease such as ''atopic dermatitis'' and ''food allergy'' and ectoparasitism such as ''Cheyletiellosis'', ''trombiculidiasis'' and ''pediculosis''. Less commonly it is seen as a presentation of ''dermatophytosis'' and bacterial folliculitis.

Miliary dermatitis is a manifestation of an underlying pruritic skin disease the most common of which is '''[[Flea Allergic Dermatitis|flea allergic dermatitis]] (FAD)''' which accounts for approximately 85 % of cases. It is also seen in cases of allergic skin disease such as '''[[Atopic Dermatitis|atopic dermatitis]]''' and '''food allergy''' and ectoparasitism such as '''[[cheyletiellosis]], trombiculidiasis''' and '''pediculosis'''. Less commonly it is seen as a presentation of ''dermatophytosis'' and bacterial folliculitis.

Miliary Dermatitis should be thought of as a descriptive term rather than a diagnosis.  

 

Miliary Dermatitis should be thought of as a descriptive term rather than a diagnosis.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

There is no age, breed or sex predilection for the condition. The condition occurs in cats.

There is no age, breed or sex predilection for the condition. The condition occurs in cats.

 

===History===

==History==

Affected cats will present with a history of variable pruritus and alopecia of the trunk and neck. In cases with an underlying flea allergic dermatitis there may be a history of a flea infestation.  

Affected cats will present with a history of variable pruritus and alopecia of the trunk and neck. In cases with an underlying flea allergic dermatitis there may be a history of a flea infestation.  

===Clinical Signs===

 

==Clinical Signs==

Cats present with small papulocrustous lesions of the skin often on the dorsal neck and trunk which feel like small 'millet seeds' when the coat is groomed. The level of pruritus is variable and may be associated with traumatic alopecia which often has a symmetrical pattern. Eosinophilic plaques may occur concurrently.  

Cats present with small papulocrustous lesions of the skin often on the dorsal neck and trunk which feel like small 'millet seeds' when the coat is groomed. The level of pruritus is variable and may be associated with traumatic alopecia which often has a symmetrical pattern. Eosinophilic plaques may occur concurrently.  

==Laboratory tests==

==Laboratory tests==

Laboratory tests are aimed at discovering the underlying cause. Skin scrapes, hair plucks and coat brushings examined micropscopically may show evidence of ectoparasitism. Dermatophyte culture or microscopy can be used if dermatophytosis is suspected. Traumatic alopecia can be differentiated from other causes of alopecia via microscopic examination of the hair shaft revealing split or broken distal ends.  

Laboratory tests are aimed at discovering the underlying cause. Skin scrapes, hair plucks and coat brushings examined microscopically may show evidence of ectoparasitism. Dermatophyte culture or microscopy can be used if dermatophytosis is suspected. Traumatic alopecia can be differentiated from other causes of alopecia via microscopic examination of the hair shaft revealing split or broken distal ends.  

 

==Treatments==

==Treatments==

Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause. As flea allergic dermatitis is the most common underlying cause flea treatment is often initiated whilst investigating other possible causes.  

Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause. As flea allergic dermatitis is the most common underlying cause flea treatment is often initiated whilst investigating other possible causes.  

==Literature Search==

|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=miliary+dermatitis&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=cats&occuring2=od&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=50&y=13&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Feline Miliary Dermatitis publications]

 

==References==

==References==

* Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''' ''Merial''

* Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''' ''Merial''

[[Category:Allergic Skin Diseases]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]

 

 

[[Category:Allergic Skin Diseases]][[Category:Expert_Review]]