🐾 Case of the Week
When the Ear Looks Normal… But Isn’t
Patient: Coco, a 4-year-old Shih Tzu
Complaint: Mild head shaking, occasional ear rubbing — no obvious discharge or redness
For Pet Parents
Coco’s ears looked completely normal from the outside—clean, no smell, no visible infection. Many pet parents would assume everything is fine. But subtle signs like occasional scratching or head shaking can still indicate discomfort. We decided to dig deeper. A simple ear swab test revealed the real issue: Malassezia (yeast) overgrowth.
Important:
Ear infections don’t always look dramatic. Early-stage infections can be invisible to the eye but still uncomfortable for your pet. Watch for even mild signs:
Occasional ear scratching, Slight head shaking, Behavioral changes (irritability, restlessness)
Early detection = faster recovery + less pain for your pet.
Pemphigus Foliaceus
A dog was brought to our clinic with thick scabs and wounds around the nose, ears, paws, and pustular lesions in the groin area. After examination, we performed a skin cytology test and found peculiar cells under the microscope that confirmed the diagnosis of:
Pemphigus Foliaceus
The images below show the skin lesions in the patient along with the cytology findings that helped us reach the diagnosis. This condition happens when the body mistakenly attacks the skin, causing painful sores and crusts. It is not infectious and cannot spread to other pets or people. With timely treatment and regular care, the dog started improving well.
