In the enzootic area such a complaint justifies serology and/or a parasitological examination (skin and/or bone marrow cytology). Onychogryphosis is a classic symptom of canine leishmaniasis. Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida albicans can be isolated from claws of Bull Terriers affected with lethal acrodermatitis (13). Malassezia perionyxis can be seen in atopic dogs, with a brownish staining of the claw, a greasy exudate in the claw folds and persistent pruritus (12). The author has never made such a diagnosis in a feline. Dermatophytic onyxis appears to be extremely rare in the cat. Other cutaneous lesions should be topically treated simultaneously. Long-term antifungal therapy (griseofulvine, ketoconazole, itraconazole) is necessary until the abnormal part of the nail disappears distally. PAS staining of the nail is mandatory and reveals the invasion of the nail keratin by the fungal hyphae. Skin biopsy and the removal of the third phalanx are unnecessary. Diagnosis is made by Wood's light examination which may reveal the fluorescence of the hair of the digit involved, direct examination and fungal culture of this hair, and histopathology of the nail itself. Alopecia of the corresponding digit is often observed. In Aquitaine, Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis have been found to be the dermatophytes which most frequently cause fungal onyxis. Therapy appropriate to the causal pododermatitis will cure the nail problem if carried out for long enough.ĭermatophytic onyxis is a rare cause of onyxis and perionyxis in the dog, usually with one or a few digits being affected. Perionyxis is a prominent feature in such cases. Good examples are interdigital pyodermas due to demodicosis and allergic skin diseases. Bacterial pododermatitis, whatever the cause, often leads to bacterial onyxis. In all cases, and particularly in chronically relapsing ones, an underlying disease should be suspected and, if found, treated. Months of careful therapy are needed, until the distal abnormal part of the nail has disappeared. and Gram negative rods often being cultured). Treatment must be based on the removal of broken nails, topical antibacterial therapy and long term systemic antibiotic therapy (based on bacterial cultures and sensitivity testing, Staphylococcus sp. Diagnosis is made by cytology-which reveals a bacterial pus (degenerated neutrophils, phagocytosis), bacteriology and the response to therapy. Perionyxis, onychoschisis, onychorrhexis and onychomadesis are usually seen on several nails, with pain as the primary complaint. In the dog, it may be idiopathic or secondary to an underlying disease (such as hypothyroidism, or even Cushing's disease). In the latter, it is usually associated with an immunodeficient state (FeLV and/or FIV infection, diabetes mellitus etc.). If this is done a few days after the fracture, systemic antibiotics should be used for a week to prevent secondary bacterial infection.īacterial onyxis exists in the dog but is much rarer in the cat. A bandage is then applied for a few hours. Therapy consists in promptly removing the distal part of the nail with forceps. The nail is more or less distally broken and pain is usually observed. It usually affects only one nail, in particular the thumbnails (digit 1) on the hind legs. Traumatic onyxis is a very common disease in the dog. This shall be based on history, physical examination and complementary diagnostic aids, including biopsy by amputation or without onychectomy (11).Ĭonsideration of particular diseases (1-4,9) However neither pruritus nor pain will be noticeable in many cases such as onychogryphosis. Pruritus is rarely observed in nail diseases. Trachyonychia is a nail disorder in humans characterized by lustreless, longitudinally ridged and rough-surfaced nail plates. Onychoclasis is the fracture of the claw. Onychomadesis is the sloughing process of nails. It appears to be elongated and distorted. Onychogryphosis is a deformation of the claw. Onychorrhexis is the breaking of a nail which has become brittle. Onychoschisis means fissuration (splitting) of the nail. Perionyxis is the inflammation of the nail fold. It may affect only one nail or be multiple depending on the cause. It can be proximal, distal or it may involve all the nail. Onyxis is by definition the disease of the abnormal looking nail. Anatomy of the canine claw unit has been well described (1,8,9,10). Nail disorders are relatively rare in companion animals, particularly in comparison with nail disorders in man (1-6), which are numerous and related to various causes (7).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |