The application of videodermoscopic examination in assessing the skin and its products in pure Arabian horses in the summer and winter seasons.

Videodermoscopic examinations have only recently started to be used in veterinary medicine and usually involve a small group of animals. The aim of this study was to compare specific dermoscopic parameters in selected areas of the body of Arabian horses in the summer and winter seasons. The research was conducted between 2018-2019. The procedure was performed on the left side of the horse's body in seven areas: head, neck, chest, flank, rump, mane, and tail. 42 purebred Arabian horses aged 1-25 (median), 39 mares and 3 stallions were qualified for the study. An Italian Video-Dermascope 7 (Medici Medical SRL with the 3 VIDIX 5Mpx camera and the VX1 overlay - Contact type cap Ø 3.5 cm) was used in the dermatoscopic evaluation. Specialist Cellsens Olympus software for analysing microscopic images was used to perform the measurements. Regardless of the area assessed, the skin in the summer months is darker than in the winter months. Hair thickness ranged from 44.82 (chest in summer) to 87.45 um (mane in winter). Regarding hair density, the number of hairs in the field of view of the dermatoscope ranged from 990 (summer mane) to 3680 (head in winter). Our research showed that the season of the year influences the amount of hair without significantly affecting its thickness.

Evaluation of a hydrolysed salmon and pea hypoallergenic diet application in dogs and cats with cutaneous adverse food reaction.

Cutaneous adverse food reaction (CAFR) is a common disease, affecting about 1-2% of dogs and cats. Diagnosis of the CAFR is made through elimination diet coupled with diet challenge, as methods like skin tests, patch tests, basophil degranulation tests and assessment of IgG and IgE serum levels are not sensitive enough. A partially hydrolysed salmon and pea hypoallergenic diet was evaluated in the diagnosis and treatment of CAFR in dogs and cats. The diet was used in the treatment of 13 dogs and 12 cats for 10 weeks. The Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS; dogs and cats), Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-04; dogs) and the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD; cats) were used for effectiveness evaluation. In dogs, a significant decrease was reported in both CADESI-04 (from 17.3±7.5 to 10.15±7.4; p=0.028) and PVAS (from 7±1.3 to 4.76±1.8; p=0.003) after four weeks of treatment. Also in cats, both the PVAS (from 6.75±1.8 to 4±2.3; p=0.006) and SCORFAD (from 4.16±1.9 to 2.58±1.2; p=0.029) decreased significantly after four weeks. After eight weeks, a significant improvement was observed in almost all the animals. Evaluated diet was useful in the treatment of the CAFR in dogs and cats.

Evaluation of the clinical efficiency of lokivetmab in client privately owned atopic dogs - multicenter study.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most frequent allergic disease in dogs. AD can be treated using allergenspecific immunotherapy as well as symptomatic antipruritic treatment including the use of lokivetmab - caninized anti-interleukine-31 antibody.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lokivetmab over 12 weeks of treat-ment. Studies have been carried out in 89 dogs. In all affected animals, the severity of lesions was assessed using the CADESI 04 and the pruritus was assessed using the VAS.After the first dose of lokivetmab, both CADESI 04 and VAS statistical decreased by 4 weeks from 40.48 to 20.31, and from 7.42 to 2.48, respectively (p = 0.0000001) maintained significantly decresed values during the whole treatment period (CADESI 04 15.64, 15.07 after 8 and 12 weeks, respectively, PVAS 2.03, 1.95 after 8 and 12 weeks, respectively).Lokivetmab leads to a significant reduction of CADESI 04 and pruritus, within four weeks and maximum effect is achived after the second dose.

Transepidermal water loss and skin hydration in healthy cats and cats with non-flea non-food hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFHD).

Allergic skin diseases in cats are amongst the most prevalent dermatological conditions in this species. The objectives of this study were to evaluate different types of skin barrier measurements in healthy cats and cats with non-flea non-food hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFHD). 24 clinically healthy and 19 NFNFHD cats were included in this clinical trial. In each animal, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration (SH) were assessed on six clipped body sites by VapoMeter SWL 4605 and Corneometer ®CM 825, respectively. Results of TEWL measurement were , significantly higher in one of the six examined body sites, namely on the lumbar area (p=0.0049). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found between the average TEWL values (p=0.019). Statistically notable differences were measured at least in one certain body site for SH: in the groin (p=0.02), where the values in the affected cats were lower than in the healthy individuals. These results may suggest that in NFNFHD cats transepidermal water loss is higher than in healthy cats. Skin hydration is, at least, in certain body sites, lower in atopic feline patients than in healthy individuals.

Influence of hair clipping on transepidermal water loss values in horses: a pilot study.

The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the biophysical skin parameters used to assess skin barrier function. Assessment of transepidermal water loss, may depend on such factors as body region, age, sex or breed and the hair coat has been considered as one of the factors that may cause variation of TEWL values. The aim of our research was an examination of the influence of clipping on the amount of TEWL. The examination was performed with 12 Wielkopolska horses with Courage Khazaka Multi Probe Adapter 5 and a TEWL TM 300 probe. The TEWL values were statistically constant in the clipped site, while the values in the unclipped sites were not. Hair clipping of examined sites is recommended for TEWL measurement in horses.

Influence of horse breed on transepidermal water loss.

Non-invasive methods of skin condition assessment include, among others, the evaluation of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The aim of the study was to examine whether TEWL values depend on horse breed. The study was conducted on four breeds: "Felin" ponies (FP) (n=16), Polish koniks (PK) (n=15), Polish cold-blooded horses (PcbH) (n=11) and Wielkopolska horses (WH) (n=12). It was found that horse breed influences TEWL values. In the neck region, statistically significant differences were found between PK and FP (p=0.006), and PK and WH (p=0.0005). In the lumbar region, there were statistically significant differences between FP and PK (p=0.0009), FP and PcbH (p=0.0016) as well as between PK and WH (p=0.000037), and PcbH and WH (p=0.0006). In the inguinal region statistically significant differences were found between FP and PK (p=0.0003), FP and PcbH (p=0.0005), PK and WH (p=0.009) and PcbH and WH (p=0.006). In the lip region statistically significant differences were observed between FP and PK (p=0.013) as well as between PK and PcbH (p=0.029) and PK and WH (p=0.009). In the examination of TEWL animal breed should be taken into consideration. The non-significant differences found in three of the examined body regions may suggest that these regions are the most adequate for TEWL assessment.

Assessment of serum levels of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E in different seasons and breeds in healthy horses.

The present study was designed to asses specific IgE towards environment allergens in 42 healthy horses. Determination of this immunoglobulin in serum serve as diagnostic tools in allergic diseases to improve efficacy of the treatment and proper allergen selection to specific immunotherapy. Serum levels of allergen specific IgE were measured with equine monoclonal antibody, using 15 individual and 5 mix allergens in North European Panel. The study revealed season dependent increased levels of allergen specific IgE in normal horses. It is noteworthy that healthy horses show high percentage of positive reactions, most commonly towards to domestic mites D. farinae (80%), D. pteronyssinus (35.71%) and storage mites T. putrenscentiae (42.86%), Acarus siro (40.48%). These allergens play an important role in equine, canine and feline atopic dermatitis. We also demonstrated high IgE levels in the group of horse specific insect allergens. Tabanus sp. (35.71%), Culicoides sp. (28.57%) and Simulium sp. (26.19%) were the most frequent insect positive reaction allergens. No positive reactions in all groups of allergens were found in winter season, low and merely detectable levels of antibodies have been found relating to D. farianae and T. putrescentiae allergen. We observed elevated mould-IgE levels in horses that live in stables, while outdoor living horses showed very low levels. Amongst all positive reactions we observed only weak and moderate reactions but no strong positive reactions were found. No significant differences were observed between three breeds of horses with the exception of moulds and D. pteronyssinus allergens.

The examination of biophysical skin parameters (transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and pH value) in different body regions in Polish ponies.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and skin pH in normal polish ponies. Twelve ponies of both sexes were examined in the study. Measurements were taken from seven different sites: the neck region, the shoulder, thorax, lumbar, inguinal, lip region and the pinna. In each of the regions transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin pH were measured. For transepidermal water loss, the lowest values were observed in the pinna (10.54 g/hm(2)), while the highest values were observed in the lip region (30.98 g/hm(2)). In the case of skin hydration the lowest values were observed for the thorax region (1.96 CU), and the highest for the lip region (48.28 CU). For skin pH, the lowest results were obtained in the pinna (7.03), and the highest in the lumbar region (8.05).

The examination of biophysical parameters of skin (transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and pH value) in different body regions of ponies.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and skin pH in normal ponies. Sixteen ponies of both sexes were examined in the study. Measurements were taken from seven different sites: the neck region, the shoulder, thorax, lumbar, inguinal, lip region and the auricle. In each of the regions transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin pH were measured. For transepidermal water loss, the lowest values were observed in the lumbar region (9.71g/hm2), while the highest values were observed in the lip region (22.35 g/hm2). In the case of skin hydration the lowest values were observed for the thorax region (2.13 CU), and the highest for the lip region (41.81 CU). For skin pH, the lowest results were obtained in the lumbar region (6.93), and the highest in the lip region (7.96).