Dermatology

The specialty of veterinary dermatology deals with diseases of the skin, hair coat and ears. Patients are referred to the dermatology department at SVS for a specific problem by their general practice veterinarian. Some of the diseases treated by veterinary dermatologists include:

Allergy/Allergic Dermatitis

• Allergic skin disease is a common presenting problem in small animal practice. Allergies in dogs and cats can occur to foods, pollens, molds, fleas/insects, plants, house dust, house dust mites and other animal and human dander.
  

• Allergies to air-borne substances usually occur between the ages of 1-5 years and can be worse during peak pollen seasons. Dogs and cats most often exhibit red itchy skin when the allergies are active.
  

• A small percentage of dogs and cats will exhibit respiratory and ocular signs of their allergic disease.
  

• Skin testing is the gold standard for diagnosing and treating pollen allergies. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) based on skin testing is an effective means of controlling allergies in most dogs and cats.
  

• Skin testing involves injecting a small amount of pollen extract into the superficial layers of the skin and observing for a positive reaction. Immunotherapy content is based on the individual patient's skin test results.

Positive skin test in a canine patient

• Skin testing is the most reliable diagnostic test for air borne allergies in dogs and cats, blood tests for allergies are available but there is a controversy concerning the reliability of blood allergy test results.
  

• There is no reliable skin or blood test for food allergy. Food allergy is diagnosed by feeding special elimination diets followed by challenge with individual food ingredients.

Ear Disease/Infections

• Ear disease is common in the dog and less frequently encountered in the cat. Ear disease may affect the external ear canal, middle ear compartment or pinna.
  

• Ear disease can be the result of a primary disease process such as parasites, foreign bodies, allergies, autoimmune diseases or systemic disease.
  

• Predisposing causes can lead to ear disease and make ear disease difficult to resolve, conformational or breed predisposition is an important predisposing cause of ear disease.
  

• Examples of breed predisposition would include impairment of ventilation and drainage due to excessive hair within the ear canal of Poodles and Airedale Terriers.
  

• Overgrowth of bacteria and yeast in the ear canal can perpetuate ear disease in the dog and cat. Treatment of ear disease typically includes a combination of topical therapy and oral medications.
  

Pinnal disease resulting from vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)

Parasitic Skin Diseases

• Numerous parasites have been associated with skin disease in dogs and cats. These parasites include mites, lice, fleas, ticks, parasitic worms and biting flies.
  

• Several types of parasitic skin diseases (demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange) are more common in young dogs and puppies. Parasitic skin diseases are typically easy to diagnose although some parasites are difficult to find on the dog and cat.
  

• Some parasitic skin diseases (demodectic mange) require prolonged treatment to achieve a cure. Treatment for parasitic skin diseases may require oral and/or topical medications.
  

• Some parasitic skin diseases are contagious to other pets and people.
  

Demodectic mange in a young dog	Demodex mites from skin scrapes
Sarcoptic mange in a poodle	Scabies mites from skin scrapes

Autoimmune Skin Diseases

• Autoimmune skin diseases are the result of the immune system attacking a normal component of the skin.

• Autoimmune skin diseases typically occur in middle age to older pets.

• Autoimmune skin diseases many times will start as skin lesions on the face and head. Skin lesions can occur any where on the body including the skin and nails.

• A skin biopsy is usually required to make a diagnosis of autoimmune skin disease.

Autoimmune skin disease lesions on the muzzle of a Chow Chow dog

Infectious Skin Diseases

• Skin lesions resulting from infections are common in the dog and cat. Bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses can cause skin lesions.
  
  
• Some skin infections are the result of overgrowth of normal flora organisms, while other infections can result from contact with other infected animals or the environment.
  
  
• Treatment of skin infections typically requires a combination of topical and medical therapy.
  
  
• Culture and sensitivity of the offending organism is sometimes required to choose appropriate medications to resolve the infection.
  

Deep bacterial infection on the skin of a dog

Endocrine Skin Diseases

• Endocrine skin and hair coat disease is the result of an imbalance of one or more hormones including thyroid hormone, cortisol and sex hormones.
  
  
• Endocrine diseases typically result in a poor quality hair coat and hair loss. Animals with endocrine skin disease may also have thin hyperpigmented skin and have a history of chronic or recurring bacterial skin infections.
  
  
• Blood tests are typically required to diagnose endocrine skin diseases.
  
  
• Endocrine diseases typically occur in middle age to older pets.
  

Abnormal hair coat in a Pomeranian with endocrine disease

Diagnostic services provided by the dermatology department include the following:

• Surface cytology
• Skin scrapes
• Cutaneous biopsy
• Radiographs
• MRI
• CT
• Otic (ear) endoscopy
• Intradermal Skin Testing
  

What is a diplomate?

When someone has the title "Diplomate, ACVD", it means that they have undergone extensive training in the field of veterinary dermatology. The minimum amount of training required after veterinary school is 3 years of internship and residency. It is important to seek a true board certified specialist when considering advanced care for your pet.