Dermatologic examination

The dermatologic exam should include examination of the entire hair coat, careful palpation of the skin, careful examination of the skin surface over several areas of the body, visual examination (otoscopic) of the external ear canals, and inspection of the foot pads. In many cases it is helpful to clip hair from the patient so that specific lesions may be seen more clearly. It is also helpful to have a form for the medical record, on which lesions may be drawn and recorded, as well as other information.