Biopsy
Skin biopsies to minimize discomfort, maximize insight
Skin biopsy, the most frequently conducted surgical procedure in pets, involves obtaining a small sample of skin or a skin lesion to gain detailed insights into specific diseases, infections, growths, or tumours. Typically conducted on an outpatient basis and requiring only local anesthesia, this procedure plays a crucial role in accurately diagnosing deep infections, and immune-mediated diseases, distinguishing between benign and malignant growths, and addressing various diagnostic needs.
Biopsies stand out as one of the most informative procedures for understanding your pet’s health. When coupled with expert interpretation of the biopsy sample, they can make the critical difference in steering towards an accurate resolution of a problem, as opposed to an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis.
How to book this service?
Please ask your family veterinarian for a referral. Send your veterinarian a referral request to get your initial consultation booked!
We understand you may be struggling to find the help you need for your special pet. We want to help so we created a self-referral process for a dermatology consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Skin biopsy involves obtaining a small sample of skin or a skin lesion to gain detailed insights into specific diseases, infections, growths, or tumors. This diagnostic procedure is particularly valuable for addressing challenging or deep-seated infections, immune-mediated diseases, and distinguishing between benign and malignant growths. Its versatility makes it a crucial tool for meeting various diagnostic needs, providing comprehensive information to guide effective treatment.
The detailed information obtained from the biopsy is instrumental in ensuring the correct diagnosis, allowing for tailored and effective treatment plans. In cases where diagnostic clarity is essential, a skin biopsy proves to be an invaluable tool for veterinary dermatologists and internists in providing optimal care for their patients.
A skin biopsy is usually painless. Before conducting the biopsy, the pet is sedated, and a local anesthetic is injected just below the skin at the biopsy site. This ensures numbness of the area, which can last for 2-3 hours after the procedure.
A skin biopsy is generally a quick procedure, with the exact duration varying based on factors such as the number and location of sites being biopsied and the speed of sedation for the individual. The typical timeframe for the procedure can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Biopsy results typically require 2-4 weeks to be processed. After obtaining samples, they are preserved and sent to a laboratory for processing and tissue staining. Subsequently, the samples are sent to a dermatopathologist* for thorough review and analysis. Once the dermatopathologist records their findings, they are shared with the veterinary dermatologist for further review and decision-making regarding treatment. In certain instances, special stains or advanced analysis may be necessary, extending the processing time.
*A dermatopathologist is a veterinary specialist combining expertise in both dermatology and pathology to accurately identify skin conditions through tissue analysis. They work closely with dermatologist veterinarians to interpret biopsy results and make diagnoses.
Commonly, biopsies result in minimal side effects, such as itching or pain at the biopsy site, as well as potential swelling or bleeding. In the event of severe instances of these effects, pet parents should contact PetDerm immediately or their primary veterinarian if it is outside of PetDerm’s business hours.
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that pet parents keep biopsy sites covered or have their pets wear an Elizabethan collar (“cone of shame”) or medical pet shirt until sutures are removed to prevent any potential trauma to the biopsy site.
When scheduling a biopsy, pet owners are advised to have their animals fast the night before, as sedation or anesthesia might be required. Additionally, they should refrain from cleaning, bathing, or applying medication to the skin lesions being sampled. A PetDerm team member will provide you with more details upon booking the biopsy.
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