Small Animal Dermatology, 3rd edition

230 DISEASES/DISORDERS

Secondary bacterial folliculitis and pain may perpetuate the process

Any portion of the tail may be injured; location of lesions (tail fold, area of tail

gland, tail tip) may assist in determining the cause

Behavior may be difficult to disrupt and may specifically occur in the presence

of, or in the absence of, the owner

Lesions seen as scabbed and exudative patches; extensive hemorrhage from the

tail tip; extreme tenderness to the touch.

 Anal licking (Figure 14.9):
Alopecia and erythema affecting the tail folds and perianal area
Lichenification and hyperpigmentation in chronic cases
Exudation and crusting with secondary bacterial folliculitis and/orMalassezia

dermatitis

Behavior may be difficult to disrupt.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

 Acral lick dermatitis:
Allergic dermatitis
Bacterial folliculitis/furunculosis
Dermatophytosis
Pressure callus (appropriate location)
Underlying osteomyelitis or arthritis
Neuropathy or referred pain
Focal, traumatized neoplasia (sebaceous adenoma, mast cell tumor, histiocy-

toma, squamous cell carcinoma)

Foreign body reaction

Endocrinopathy (hypothyroidism)

Localized demodicosis.

 Feline symmetric alopecia:
Allergic dermatitis
Ectoparasitism (Cheyletiella,Demodex gatoi,Demodex cati)
Dermatophytosis
Malasseziadermatitis
Endocrinopathy (hyperadrenocortisolism, hyperthyroidism)
Neoplasia (paraneoplastic alopecia).

 Flank sucking:
Contact dermatitis (especially topical medication)
Trauma
Neuropathy
Dermatophytosis
Bacterial folliculitis
Psychomotor epilepsy/CNS disorder.

 Tail biting or chasing:
Allergic dermatitis