Skin Biopsies & Histopathology

A skin biopsy is a procedure where your vet extracts a small section of your pet’s skin. Histopathology is the process of examining the cells of the skin once extracted to reach a diagnosis.

What are common reasons to biopsy?

Biopsies are usually performed for:

  • Suspected neoplastic lesions

  • Persistent ulcerations

  • Diseases that can only reach a definitive diagnosis with a biopsy (follicular dysplasia, sebaceous adenitis, zinc responsive dermatosis, immune mediated skin diseases etc.)

  • Dermatosis that is not responding to traditional therapy

  • Dermatosis that appears unusual or serious

  • Vesicular dermatitis

Skin biopsy complications

Complications after skin biopsies are rare. Problems with wound healing may occur in animals taking aspirin or anticoagulants, hypercortisolism and hypothyroidism. Keeping the suture sites dry and clean until removal is important for healing.

 

Worried about your pet? Give us a call. We treat your pet like one of our own. Call now on: +61 08 6277 9430 (Murdoch) and (Balcatta) or email: dermnurses@adcmg.com