A 5-month-old, male intact Australian shepherd dog was presented with nodular lesions affecting the dorsal head. A locally diffuse form of follicular hamartomas, with concurrent dermoid cysts and follicular cysts, was diagnosed by histopathological examination. Complete surgical excision of the affected skin and closure with a subdermal plexus advancement flap led to long-term resolution.

Background -Trichoscopy, in combination with image analysis software, is a readily available, efficient diagnostic tool for assessing hair follicle parameters of people in vivo. Systems designed for use in human dermatology must be evaluated and validated with animal skin/hair before they can be used for veterinary applications.Objectives -To evaluate the use of a commercial software package for image analysis of canine hair follicles and to define hair follicle parameters. Animals -Thirteen client-owned healthy dogs.Methods -Trichoscopic images at x20 magnification were obtained from three shaved body sites (left dorsal head, left thorax, left flank) over a five day period, then analyzed by the software.Results -The image analysis software was able to identify microscopic changes in hair length on a daily basis, calculating a mean hair growth rate of 0.065 mm/day. Each of the three body sites had consistent hair growth rates across all days. Anagen and telogen percentages were consistent at each body site by Day 2 (48 h postclipping). Data for mean hair thickness, and primary and secondary hair percentages also are reported.Conclusions -Although it provides less useful data for canine hair coats than for human scalp hair, the system evaluated provides an easy, noninvasive, rapid means for assessing several important canine hair follicle parameters: daily hair growth rates, anagen and telogen percentages, primary and secondary hair percentages, and mean hair thickness. This diagnostic tool could serve to establish breed-specific hair coat standards, evaluating hair follicle changes in various canine alopecic conditions and monitoring coat-promoting treatments in dogs.

Background Canine non‐neoplastic aural polypoid masses (APMs) are uncommon, with few published studies. Objectives The aim of this retrospective study was to characterise the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging and histopathological results for APMs submitted as aural inflammatory polyps (AIPs). Animals Twenty dogs with APMs evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital. Materials and Methods Cases were selected by searching computerised medical records from 2000 to 2020, using keywords ‘canine’, ‘aural/otic polyp’ and ‘aural/otic inflammatory mass’. Histological samples and medical records were reviewed. Results In 14 of 20 dogs, external ear canal masses were characterised by keratinised squamous epithelium with or without adnexa. Tympanic bulla origin was confirmed in four of 20 dogs by the presence of cuboidal to ciliated columnar epithelium, with or without squamous epithelium. The site of origin could not be determined in two dogs. Diagnostic imaging (MRI or CT) confirmed APM presence in 14 of 20 dogs. Otitis media was diagnosed in four of four tympanic bulla APMs and seven of 13 ear canal APMs. In 18 of 20 dogs, debulking, traction avulsion, and total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy led to APM resolution in two of eight, four of six and four of four dogs, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Type of epithelium was a key feature in determining the APM origin, and interpretation in conjunction with video otoscopy and diagnostic imaging was crucial. Canine APMs more commonly arose from the ear canal. Tympanic bulla APMs and APMs of undetermined origin were comparable to feline AIPs. Regardless of APM origin site, debulking had the greatest likelihood of recurrence.