Dermatology for Pets

Most pet owners are unaware that scratching, licking, biting, and chewing are tell-tale signs of an underlying skin problem. 

In trying to diagnose and treat skin disorders, your role as a pet owner is essential. Discovering what causes flare-ups and irritation is crucial. Pay attention to your pet’s reaction after eating, playing outside, and interacting with other animals. During your appointment, the veterinarian will discuss your observations to determine a series of laboratory tests that will help diagnose or treat your pet’s skin issues.

Common dermatological issues for pets:

• Auto-immune disorders
• Chronic ear disease
• Disease of the foot
• Ear infections
• Flea allergy dermatitis
• Hair loss
• Hormone disorders
• Parasitic, bacterial, or fungal infections
• Skin allergies caused by contact, environment, or food
• Skin cancer

What does treatment involve?

To help with diagnosis, we may perform the following tests to supplement our initial prognosis of your pet’s condition:

Biopsies – A biopsy can be performed to diagnose various skin cancers and autoimmune skin disorders. A biopsy is executed by removing the affected skin, processing it, and examining the sample under a microscope. 

Allergy Testing- A blood test can be taken to determine if the underlining cause of the dermatology issues your pet is experiencing is due to environmental, food or insect related allergens. 

Skin Cultures – If your pet exhibits a skin disorder that is resistant to all previously tested forms of treatment, a skin culture is typically used to test numerous treatments at one time. This will help determine a successful treatment to heal the affected skin without continually unsettling your pet.

Otoscopy/ Ear smears– Otoscopy and microscopic evaluation is used to diagnose and treat chronic ear infections and diseases. Our veterinarians visualize deep into the ear canal to identify any abnormalities, tumors, or foreign bodies that might exist. 

If you have any questions about pet dermatology or think your pet might have a skin condition, contact our office today.