Equine sampling

- Skin scrapings

 Aim:

 Skin scraping is a diagnostic procedure that involves scraping of skin with a scalpel blade or curette to detect the presence of different skin lesions and microscopic ectoparasites, to detect mites, larvae of Pelodera spp., and Habronema spp. equine skin conditions very superficial and comprise scale that will not commonly enable to diagnosis.

 Procedure

1.      Gently clip the hair in area for sampling Select the area to be scraped.

2.      Place a drop of mineral oil on the blade. Another drop can also be placed on the area of skin to be sampled.

3.     Scrape with the scalpel blade (keeping the blade perpendicular to the skin) in the direction of hair growth several times until a small amount of skin surface debris is obtained.

4.     Deeper scrapes can be performed by pinching the skin between finger and thumb and using a scalpel blade to scrape the skin until capillary bleeding occurs.  

5.     Superficial skin scrapings may be helpful in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis. Scrapings are best taken from the periphery of the lesions where the arthrospores are more likely to be visible microscopically.

6.      Placing the sample in 10% potassium hydroxide will destroy a lot of the debris, making it easier to identify fungal components. Scrapings from the distal limbs are useful in the identification of Chorioptes mites . Removal of superficial crusts for microscopy and bacterial culture enables diagnosis of dermatophilosis (rain scald).