What is a dermatologist?

A veterinary dermatologist is a veterinarian who has furthered their education and training to be able to better diagnose and treat animals with various disorders of the skin, hair, ears and nails. This advanced training makes dermatologists experts in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases such as:

  • Allergic skin disease
  • Chronic and/or resistant skin infections
  • Foot, nail, and nail bed infections
  • Chronic and/or resistant ear infections
  • Skin disease as a result of mites or parasites
  • Skin disease related to endocrine or autoimmune diseases
  • Skin cancers
  • Cysts

Which pets would benefit from a dermatology consultation?

Allergies and associated skin disease are very common complaints in the veterinary field. While symptomatic treatment may relieve the discomfort and clinical signs for a while, unless the underlying condition is correctly diagnosed and treated, the signs will likely return. If your pet has had frequent skin, ear or nail bed infections, occasional or constant itching, licking, hair loss or poor coat quality, a dermatology consultation may be just what you need to get your pet more comfortable. Please call us at 214-369-7364 to set up an appointment with our board certified dermatologist.

What is Intradermal Allergy testing?

Intradermal allergy testing is the process of determining what environmental factors (such a grasses, weeds, molds, pollens, trees, etc) your pet is allergic to so that we can better treat and manage their allergy and subsequently treat their chronic or recurrent skin and ear issues. Dogs and cats need to be sedated or anesthetized for this test, therefore they should be fasted the morning of this appointment. An area of hair is shaved on the side of the animal and very tiny amounts of 64 different allergens are injected into the skin. After a short period of time the test site is evaluated. At that point the offending allergens are known, and an antigen serum can be made specifically for your pet. These "antigen injections" are given on a weekly to monthly basis as prescribed by the dermatologist and will help to desensitize your pet to their allergy. In the long run this means fewer ear infections, skin infections, less itching and a better quality of life!