Southern Ocean Animal Hospital

Biopsies & Histology

Imagine your dog or cat keeps scratching and losing fur. You can’t see what’s wrong with your eyes—there might be tiny bugs under the skin!...
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Biopsies & Histology
Biopsies & Histology
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🐾 Skin Scraping in Veterinary Dermatology

Specialized Care & Diagnostics > General Dermatology
Southern Ocean Animal Hospital – 319 E Main St, Tuckerton, NJ 08087

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

Skin scraping is a veterinary diagnostic procedure where a small skin sample is collected and examined under a microscope. It is most commonly used to detect mites (like Demodex or Sarcoptes), fungal infections, bacteria, and other skin abnormalities that can’t be seen with the naked eye. The test is quick, safe, affordable, and often provides same-day results, helping veterinarians like Daniel N. Pascetta, DVM identify and treat skin diseases effectively.

ELI5 (Explain Like I’m 5)

Imagine your dog or cat keeps scratching and losing fur. You can’t see what’s wrong with your eyes—there might be tiny bugs under the skin!

  • Skin scraping is when the vet gently scrapes a little bit of skin to put under a microscope.
  • It shows if there are mites, fungi, or germs causing the itching.
  • It doesn’t hurt much, and it helps the vet choose the right medicine.

Key Points (Bullet Summary)

  • Purpose: Detect mites, fungi, bacteria, and abnormal skin cells.
  • Procedure: Sterile scalpel blade collects a small sample of skin/debris.
  • Techniques:
    • Superficial scraping for surface mites.
    • Deep scraping for follicle mites (Demodex).
    • Multiple sites for accuracy.
  • Most common issues found:
    • Demodicosis (Demodex mange)
    • Sarcoptic mange (scabies)
    • Cheyletiellosis (“walking dandruff”)
    • Fungal infections (ringworm)
    • Yeast and bacterial overgrowth
  • Veterinarian’s role: Experienced vets like Dr. Pascetta interpret results and link them to underlying causes (allergies, immune conditions, chronic disease).
  • Timeline: Results in as little as 30 minutes.
  • Outcome: Accurate, timely treatment and peace of mind for owners.

Introduction

Skin conditions are among the most common health problems for dogs and cats. Itching, redness, bald spots, and scabbing may look similar but can be caused by very different problems: parasites, fungus, bacteria, allergies, or systemic disease. Because guessing leads to wasted time and unnecessary medication, veterinarians use skin scraping as a quick, reliable diagnostic tool.

At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, Dr. Daniel N. Pascetta, DVM, relies on skin scraping as one of his most practical and insightful diagnostic procedures. Combined with in-house lab analysis, this test often provides answers during the same appointment, guiding treatment and offering relief for pets and peace of mind for families.

How Skin Scraping Works

Step 1: Selecting the Site

  • A lesion, bald spot, or flaky patch is chosen.
  • Often, multiple sites are scraped to ensure accuracy.

Step 2: Collecting the Sample

  • A sterile scalpel blade is used.
  • For superficial scraping, mineral oil is applied, and a broad scrape of the skin surface is taken.
  • For deep scraping, the skin is gently pinched to bring follicle mites to the surface, scraping until a tiny amount of capillary blood appears.

Step 3: Preparing the Slide

  • The sample is transferred to a microscope slide with mineral oil to help organisms stick.

Step 4: Microscopic Examination

  • The vet looks for mites, fungal hyphae, spores, bacteria, yeast, or abnormal cells.

Step 5: Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

  • Results are immediate, often within 30 minutes.

Techniques of an Experienced Veterinarian

Veterinarians like Dr. Pascetta bring years of training to skin scraping:

  • Choosing the right scraping depth: Knowing whether to perform superficial vs. deep scraping based on suspected parasite.
  • Pinching skin for follicular mites: A small but critical step for detecting Demodex.
  • Sampling multiple lesions: Increases accuracy, especially for elusive parasites.
  • Slide preparation: Ensuring samples are spread evenly for optimal microscopy.
  • Interpretation: Distinguishing between normal skin debris, infectious agents, and contaminants.

What Skin Scraping Can Reveal

  • Mites (Mange):
    • Demodex canis – causes demodicosis, often in puppies or immunocompromised dogs.
    • Sarcoptes scabiei – causes scabies, zoonotic to humans.
    • Cheyletiella – “walking dandruff,” common in multi-pet households.
  • Fungal Infections:
    • Dermatophytes (ringworm) showing spores or hyphae.
  • Bacteria & Yeast:
    • Overgrowth contributing to chronic infections.
  • Abnormal Cells:
    • Suggestive of autoimmune disease or cancer (biopsy often recommended).

Example Case

Case: Bella the Rescue Cat
Bella arrived with patchy fur loss and severe itching. At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, Dr. Pascetta performed a superficial scraping. Under the microscope, he found Sarcoptes mites, confirming scabies. Immediate treatment relieved Bella’s symptoms, and her family was also advised since the condition could spread to humans.

Timeline of Skin Scraping

  • Day 1: Exam, scraping, and immediate microscopy.
  • 30 minutes: Results provided to the owner.
  • Day 7–14: Recheck visit, repeat scraping to monitor progress.
  • 1–2 months: Most conditions resolve if underlying issues are managed.

What-If Situations

  • What if no mites are found?
    – Doesn’t always rule them out; false negatives are possible. Vet may repeat scrapings or add other diagnostics (biopsy, fungal culture).
  • What if my pet resists?
    – Most tolerate scraping without sedation. For stressed pets, light restraint or mild sedation ensures comfort.
  • What if bacteria/yeast are found instead?
    – Vet treats secondary infection but also looks for root cause like allergies.
  • What if scrapings show abnormal cells?
    – Biopsy and histology may follow to confirm cancer, autoimmune disease, or chronic inflammatory condition.

Most Common Issues Found

  • Demodicosis (Demodex mange) – localized bald patches or widespread disease.
  • Sarcoptic mange (scabies) – severe itching, contagious to humans.
  • Cheyletiellosis (“walking dandruff”) – scaling and itching, especially in kittens and puppies.
  • Ringworm – zoonotic fungal infection.
  • Secondary bacterial/yeast overgrowth – often worsens primary skin problems.

Generational Relevance for Pet Owners

  • Baby Boomers & Gen X: Long-time pet owners may recall older treatments; today’s skin scraping offers quicker, more accurate answers with safer therapies.
  • Millennials: Seek fast results and preventative care—skin scraping provides both.
  • Gen Z: Growing up in a digital-first world, this generation values transparency and science-based care, which skin scraping delivers with same-day results and clear evidence.

Service Area

Southern Ocean Animal Hospital is located at:
📍 319 E Main St, Tuckerton, NJ 08087

We serve pets from:

  • Ocean County towns: Manahawkin, Stafford Township, Barnegat, Waretown, Forked River, Bayville, Ocean Gate, Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights.
  • Long Beach Island (LBI): Surf City, Ship Bottom, Beach Haven, Long Beach Township, Eagleswood.
  • Atlantic County: Galloway, Absecon, Brigantine, Atlantic City.
  • Burlington County: Bass River Township, New Gretna.

Families travel over an hour because Southern Ocean Animal Hospital is trusted for dermatology and diagnostic expertise.

Schedule an Appointment

If your pet is scratching, losing fur, or showing skin changes, don’t wait. Tiny parasites or fungal infections may be to blame, and only a microscope can reveal the cause.

At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, Dr. Daniel N. Pascetta, DVM, combines hands-on skill with advanced lab tools to provide accurate answers through skin scraping and other diagnostics.

📞 Call today to schedule your appointment and give your pet the relief they deserve.

Schedule Today!