Royal Canin Dermatology Notes

The skin's ability to keep harmful substances out and essential substances in, protecting the body from infection and dehydration.

The skin's ability to sense heat, cold, pain, pressure, and itch, providing feedback to the body.

The skin's ability to regulate body temperature through insulation, blood flow, and sweating.

The skin's ability to produce vitamin D, a vital nutrient for bone health and other functions.

The skin's role in protecting the body from disease through immune cells and other defense mechanisms.

The skin's ability to secrete natural oils and excrete waste products, keeping the skin healthy.

The skin's ability to store fats, proteins, electrolytes, and other substances, contributing to overall body function.

The skin's appearance can provide clues about the overall health of the animal, revealing signs of illness or nutritional deficiencies.

An adverse food reaction (AFR) is a negative response to food that can range from mild discomfort to severe allergic reaction. Common symptoms in dogs and cats include skin irritation (pruritic dermatitis), diarrhea, and vomiting.

Allergens are substances that trigger an immune response, leading to an allergic reaction. They are usually proteins of a specific size, typically between 15 and 40 kDa.

Proteins that are too large cannot be digested, making them ineffective as allergens. Proteins too small are not recognized as threats and thus cannot trigger a reaction.

The most common allergen sources include proteins from dairy, beef, chicken, lamb, fish, and wheat.

A nutrient intolerance is diagnosed by eliminating suspected ingredients from the pet's diet and observing the reaction. If symptoms improve after removing the suspect ingredient, it confirms the intolerance.

A skin condition caused by an allergy to environmental elements like pollen, dust, or grass. It's often genetic.

A diet that provides high-quality protein for healthy skin and coat growth. It also includes essential fatty acids, specific amino acids, and vitamins and minerals for overall skin health.

Involves feeding a specific diet for the duration of two skin cycles (the time it takes for the skin to completely renew itself).

A common symptom of atopic dermatitis, it refers to itching and scratching.

The primary organ affected by atopic dermatitis. The skin barrier function is often compromised leading to further issues.

Involves the use of medications and dietary adjustments to manage atopic dermatitis long-term.

A type of food allergy where the immune system reacts negatively to specific food components.

Conditions that can cause pruritus in dogs, including external parasites like fleas and demodex, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and certain endocrine or autoimmune diseases.

The outermost layer of skin, composed of 5 layers of cells. It's thickest on the footpads and contains keratin for strength and melanin for color.

The middle layer of skin, responsible for elasticity. It's made of connective tissue fibers and cells, containing blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves.

The innermost layer of skin, storing fat and blood vessels. It also contains nerve endings and anchors the skin to underlying tissue and organs.

The protective barrier of the skin, made up of corneocytes (dead skin cells) and a lamellar lipid layer.

The structural components of the skin barrier that act like bricks in a wall, providing strength and structure.

The fatty substance in the skin barrier, acting like mortar between bricks (corneocytes), maintaining its integrity and preventing water loss.

The process of skin cell renewal that takes approximately 22-30 days for a complete cycle.

The structural protein that makes up hair, accounting for about 90% of its composition.

A test where an animal is fed a specific diet that eliminates potential allergens, followed by a reintroduction phase to identify the culprit.

A food allergy test that involves exposing the animal to potential allergens under the skin.

A test where blood is drawn to measure the amount of specific antibodies in the blood.

A diet containing protein sources the animal has not been exposed to before. This is challenging due to finding a suitable protein.

A diet containing proteins that have been broken down into smaller pieces, making it less likely for the animal to react.

An extreme reaction to a food that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other serious symptoms.

A test that involves analyzing a sample of saliva or hair to detect potential allergens.

A test that involves drawing blood to measure the amount of specific antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are involved in allergic reactions.

A specialized diet used to identify food allergies in pets. It involves eliminating common allergens from the diet, and then reintroducing them one at a time to see what triggers a reaction.

A common cause of AFR in dogs and cats is beef protein. It's important to understand that not all animals are allergic to beef, but it's a common offender.

The most common type of skin issue in pets is due to parasites. It's important to rule out parasites before considering food allergies.

The best way to determine an AFR is with an 8-week food elimination trial using a hydrolyzed diet. This gives enough time to see if the skin improves and provides a controlled way to reintroduce foods.

Essential nutrients like high-quality protein, zinc, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are crucial for healthy skin and coat recovery. They play a vital role in maintaining the skin's barrier function and reducing inflammation.

To avoid accidentally feeding the pet the incorrect food during the trial, it's crucial to use separate feeding equipment. This helps to prevent cross-contamination and ensures accurate results.