Biopsies of the skin and mucous membranes.

A skin or mucous membrane biopsy is an important diagnostic technique in veterinary dermatology. Careful thought must be given in the selection of which animal patients to biopsy and what lesions to biopsy. Care must be taken in performing the biopsy to avoid traumatic artifacts that make interpretation difficult for the pathologist. Finally, histological findings are just one assessment and must be coupled with a thorough history, physical examination, and other laboratory findings before a definitive diagnosis is offered.