A guide to in-house dermatological tests

Sarah M Long; Debbie Gow

doi:10.1002/inpr.70059

A guide to in-house dermatological tests

Sarah M Long, Debbie Gow

Bristol Veterinary School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

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Abstract

Background:
Skin and ear diseases form a significant part of the daily caseload of general practitioners working in small animal practice. To establish the role of both primary and secondary factors in these cases, diagnostic testing should be performed. Understanding how to perform these tests properly, and what their limitations are, is key to successful investigation and management. There are numerous low-cost in-house diagnostic tests available for the investigation of dermatological disease, and many can be rapidly performed patient side by veterinary surgeons or nurses. Selecting the most appropriate diagnostic test(s) relies on the outcome of a thorough physical and dermatological examination and formulation of prioritised problem and differential diagnoses lists.

Aim of the article:
This article outlines practical, in-house diagnostic methods for common dermatological conditions in dogs and cats. It is relevant to vets, nurses and students.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	138-152
Number of pages	11
Journal	In Practice
Volume	48
Issue number	3
Early online date	27 Mar 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/inpr.70059
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 British Veterinary Association.

Keywords

Dermatology
Veterinary diagnostics
Cytology
Ectoparasites
Small animal

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10.1002/inpr.70059

Full-text PDF (accepted manuscript)
This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM) of the article which has been made Open Access under the University of Bristol's Scholarly Works Policy. The final published version (Version of Record) can be found on the publisher's website. The copyright of any third-party content, such as images, remains with the copyright holder.
Accepted author manuscript, 1.94 MBLicence: CC BY

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abstract = "Background: Skin and ear diseases form a significant part of the daily caseload of general practitioners working in small animal practice. To establish the role of both primary and secondary factors in these cases, diagnostic testing should be performed. Understanding how to perform these tests properly, and what their limitations are, is key to successful investigation and management. There are numerous low-cost in-house diagnostic tests available for the investigation of dermatological disease, and many can be rapidly performed patient side by veterinary surgeons or nurses. Selecting the most appropriate diagnostic test(s) relies on the outcome of a thorough physical and dermatological examination and formulation of prioritised problem and differential diagnoses lists. Aim of the article: This article outlines practical, in-house diagnostic methods for common dermatological conditions in dogs and cats. It is relevant to vets, nurses and students.",

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AB - Background: Skin and ear diseases form a significant part of the daily caseload of general practitioners working in small animal practice. To establish the role of both primary and secondary factors in these cases, diagnostic testing should be performed. Understanding how to perform these tests properly, and what their limitations are, is key to successful investigation and management. There are numerous low-cost in-house diagnostic tests available for the investigation of dermatological disease, and many can be rapidly performed patient side by veterinary surgeons or nurses. Selecting the most appropriate diagnostic test(s) relies on the outcome of a thorough physical and dermatological examination and formulation of prioritised problem and differential diagnoses lists. Aim of the article: This article outlines practical, in-house diagnostic methods for common dermatological conditions in dogs and cats. It is relevant to vets, nurses and students.

KW - Dermatology

KW - Veterinary diagnostics

KW - Cytology

KW - Ectoparasites

KW - Small animal

U2 - 10.1002/inpr.70059

DO - 10.1002/inpr.70059

M3 - Review article (Academic Journal)

SN - 0263-841X

VL - 48

SP - 138

EP - 152

JO - In Practice

JF - In Practice

IS - 3

ER -

A guide to in-house dermatological tests

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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