Genre: Information/Explanation

The skin is covered by a stratified squamous keratinising epithelium that is self-renewing . Normally desquamation of cells from the stratum corneum occurs in such a way that the cells are not seen . Scaling represents an accumulation of stratum corneum cells indication disturbed desquamation , often associated with increased epidemal turnover . Scale An accumulation of loose cornified fragments of the epidermis . Click to zoom Scaling in a dog with cheyletiellosis Scaling is a common clinical sign and may reflect primary defects of keratinisation such as idiopathic seborrhoea . However , ectoparasitic diseases ( especially cheyletiellosis in dogs and rabbits ) and other causes of chronic skin inflammation ( eg bacterial infection , dermatophytosis , allergy ) may lead to scaling .