Why see a specialist in animal dermatology?

It is estimated that up to 75% of patients presented to companion animal clinics have skin disease as a primary or concurrent complaint. Many of these diseases look very much alike, with only subtle variations in clinical presentation, but great differences in treatment and prognosis. Veterinary dermatologists are trained to recognize these differences and pursue the most direct and cost-effective diagnostic work-up and treatment.

Skin problems can arise from a multitude of causes. You may notice that your pet is experiencing hair loss, pruritus (which manifests as scratching, licking, chewing, biting, or rubbing), discoloration of the skin, unusual odor, crusting, or growths in/under the skin. The skin condition is likely the result of complex reactions to environmental and/or internal stimuli.

A veterinary dermatologist is a veterinarian who has undergone extensive post-doctoral training in the diagnosis and treatment of animals with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, ears, hair and nails. Their extensive training and experience make dermatologists experts in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic infectious and non-infectious skin diseases such as:

• allergy and allergy-induced skin diseases
• chronic ear disorders
• infectious skin diseases
• parasitic skin diseases
• recognition of the skin manifestations of systemic disease (including endocrine/hormonal imbalance and internal malignancy)
• autoimmune skin disease
• feet, nail and nail bed diseases
• cancer of the skin, cysts and other tumors of the skin