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Nutritional considerations in small animal dermatology
1Department of Clinical Sciences, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853.
Summary
Nutritional skin diseases in pets are rare with commercial diets. Identifying specific nutrient deficiencies requires careful history and biopsy, and supplements should only be used when indicated to maintain balanced pet nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- Nutritional skin diseases in pets consuming commercial diets are uncommon, excluding food hypersensitivities.
- Seborrheic skin signs are common indicators of various nutritional deficiencies.
- Clinical presentations of nutritional deficiencies are often non-specific.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the rarity of nutritional skin diseases in pets on commercial diets.
- To emphasize the diagnostic approach for identifying specific nutrient deficiencies.
- To advise on the judicious use of nutritional supplements in veterinary medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations and diagnostic findings related to nutritional skin diseases.
- Correlation of seborrheic skin signs with potential nutrient deficiencies.
- Emphasis on the importance of detailed patient history and skin biopsies for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Nutritional skin diseases are infrequent in pets fed balanced commercial foods.
- Seborrheic dermatological signs are indicative of potential nutritional imbalances.
- Diagnostic evaluation, including history and biopsies, is crucial for pinpointing specific deficiencies.
Conclusions:
- Balanced commercial diets minimize the risk of nutritional skin diseases.
- Indiscriminate use of nutritional supplements can disrupt a balanced diet and should be avoided.
- Supplementation should be reserved for cases where a specific deficiency is confirmed.