CPG Skin & Coat Conditions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dog with hypothyroidism commonly presents with which coat/skin changes?
- Oily coat with excessive dandruff
- Bilateral symmetrical hair loss, dull dry coat, and skin thickening (Correct answer)
- Patchy circular lesions with scaling
- Intense itching with no hair loss
Correct answer: Bilateral symmetrical hair loss, dull dry coat, and skin thickening
Hypothyroidism causes bilateral symmetrical alopecia, dry brittle coat, and skin thickening or hyperpigmentation due to low thyroid hormone levels.
Question 2: Which environmental factor most commonly worsens atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) in dogs?
- High-protein diets
- Exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or mold (Correct answer)
- Over-bathing with medicated shampoos
- Cold temperatures
Correct answer: Exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or mold
Atopic dermatitis is triggered or worsened by environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and grasses.
Question 3: A Persian cat frequently presented for grooming has developed oily, matted fur and skin folds with a dark, waxy discharge. This is most indicative of:
- Ringworm
- Idiopathic facial fold dermatitis / seborrhea (Correct answer)
- Feline acne
- Hyperthyroidism
Correct answer: Idiopathic facial fold dermatitis / seborrhea
Persians are prone to idiopathic seborrhea and facial fold dermatitis, which produce oily, waxy build-up in skin folds and matting of the coat.
Question 4: Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in dogs most often causes intense itching and lesions concentrated at the:
- Face and ears
- Paws and legs
- Rump, base of tail, and lower back (Correct answer)
- Chest and belly
Correct answer: Rump, base of tail, and lower back
FAD classically causes pruritus and lesions at the rump, base of the tail, and lower back, where fleas tend to congregate.
Question 5: A dog presents with black, waxy debris in the ears, intense ear scratching, and head shaking. The groomer should suspect:
- Bacterial otitis
- Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) (Correct answer)
- Food allergy
- Hypothyroidism
Correct answer: Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis)
Ear mites produce dark, crumbly, coffee-ground-like debris in the ear canal and cause intense itching, head shaking, and scratching.
Question 6: Which grooming tool and technique best manages a dog with dry seborrhea to improve coat health?
- High-velocity dryer on bare skin to remove scales
- Moisturizing/hydrating shampoo followed by a conditioning rinse (Correct answer)
- Clipping the coat very short to reduce scale accumulation
- Wire slicker brush used daily without bathing
Correct answer: Moisturizing/hydrating shampoo followed by a conditioning rinse
Moisturizing shampoos and conditioning rinses help rehydrate the skin and loosen scales in dogs with dry seborrhea.
Question 7: Alopecia X (also called black skin disease) most commonly affects which breeds?
- Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers
- Pomeranians, Chow Chows, and Nordic breeds (Correct answer)
- Bulldogs and Pugs
- Greyhounds and Whippets
Correct answer: Pomeranians, Chow Chows, and Nordic breeds
Alopecia X predominantly affects Nordic and Spitz-type breeds such as Pomeranians, Siberian Huskies, and Chow Chows.
CPG Skin & Coat Conditions 3
A dog with hypothyroidism commonly presents with which coat/skin changes?