References
Dermatophytosis for veterinary nurses
Abstract
Dermatophytosis is a challenging condition to treat and requires a thorough and methodical approach from the veterinary team as far as diagnosis and management is concerned to ensure the disease resolves. The veterinary nurse can be actively involved in the management of this condition at all stages of the process, from the tests required for diagnosis through to the treatment and follow-up care of pets with dermatophytosis. This ensures that veterinary surgeons have support in these cases and can approach them effectively, while the owners will receive the time required to ensure their compliance with treatment protocols which is essential for its resolution.
There are a number of skin conditions dermatologists see that many veterinary nurses (VNs) will not be aware of, however, dermatophytosis or ringworm is a skin disease commonly encountered in first opinion practice and often noted for its zoonotic nature (Duclos, 2012) (Figure 1).
VNs should consider how much they know about dermatophytosis and what they can do to assist the veterinary surgeon (VS) in the diagnosis and treatment of this relatively common condition. Despite being referred to as ringworm, this is not a parasite but a fungal infection caused typically by three species of fungus (dermatophytes) (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes), which infect the hair, nail or skin (Gaudiano, 2005). This article aims to not only enlighten VNs on the condition, but to explore how this is an area in which the VN can play a pivotal role in patient outcome.
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