Share:

Just as there are specialists in many areas of medicine for humans, pets sometimes require care that is beyond a veterinarian. Pet dermatologists can diagnose and treat ailments of the skin and ears. If your pet is suffering from skin allergies or disease but are unsure of what to expect from a pet specialist appointment, the questions below, answered by Veterinary Dermatology Services in Cincinnati, OH, should help you feel prepared to work with the doctor to give your furry friend some relief.

Pet Dermatologists FAQs

1. Why Does My Pet Need a Dermatologist?

If your regular veterinarian sees your pet excessively scratching, repeatedly rubbing its skin or ears, losing hair, or showing red, blotchy skin, they may refer you to a pet dermatologist. This specialist can diagnose allergic dermatitis, which is a severe allergic reaction to a substance, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, ringworm, scabies, and other skin afflictions. Diagnosing these diseases requires a deeper look into your pet’s skin and hair follicles, which requires extensive training that a pet dermatologist possesses. 

2. How Is Allergy Testing Performed? pet dermatologist

Allergy testing is usually performed one of two ways: blood testing or skin testing. Blood testing tends to be more convenient, but skin testing gives a more accurate diagnosis. Pet dermatologists can often recognize whether or not the reaction is allergic before testing, which can save pet owners from paying for a test their pet does not need.

3. How Do You Cure an Allergic Reaction?

A pet dermatologist will administer injections with antihistamines, which will relieve allergy symptoms, but your pet will likely need follow-up visits and medications to make sure the symptoms don’t return. You should also try to find the source of the allergens in your home to see if they can be eliminated to avoid irritation.

4. What’s the Difference Between a Pet Dermatologist and a Veterinarian?

A veterinarian is a professional who earned a DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine). As a physician, their job is to diagnose and treat the ailments of a variety of different animal species. A pet dermatologist must earn their veterinarian degree, then continue schooling to specialize in pet dermatology. Dermatologists can give more specific diagnoses for skin or ear ailments in your pet.

 

If your pet is suffering from a food allergy, skin allergy, irritation, or infection, contact Veterinary Dermatology Services. They are a board-certified pet dermatologist office covering the Northern Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio areas and manage all kinds of pet ailments and diseases. For more information on their available services visit them online or call (513) 489-4644.

tracking