External Gas Bubble Disease

Skin bubbles or cysts can be an indication of several different ailments and can appear as gas filled vesicles or appear solid or cystic in nature.

The clear, gas filled vesicles are usually diagnostic of External Gas Bubble Disease (EGBD).

Cystic lesions filled with pus are called abscesses are usually due to Vibrio infections although other bacterial infections are possible. Lesions that tend to be more solid in nature include granulomatous diseases such as Norcardia and Mycobacteria. Granulomata of the skin have also been seen in parasitic infections caused by nematodes. Biopsy of solid lesions, such as these, is the best route for definitive diagnosis. Besides parasites, granulomatous disease usually does not respond to therapy and euthanasia with system sterilization is recommended. Glugea is also a fatal, contagious non-treatable disease that presents with solid lesions that are not granulomatous. It is also easily diagnosed in biopsy material. - information provided by Renee Coles-Hix