Veterinary dermatology can help with your pet’s constant scratching, paw licking, recurrent ear infections, and more. It’s a specialized field dedicated to finding real, long-term answers for these complex skin problems, so your dog or cat can finally feel comfortable again. If you’ve tried different treatments and nothing seems to give your pet lasting relief, it might be time for a different approach.
What Is a Veterinary Dermatologist?
So, what makes a veterinary dermatologist different? Think of them as the next-level expert your family vet trusts with the toughest cases. After finishing veterinary school, they go through years of additional, intensive residency training focused only on the skin, ears, hair, and nails.
They are board-certified specialists who live and breathe this stuff. They’re experts in the complex worlds of allergies, immune system disorders, chronic infections, and hormonal issues that often show up as skin problems.
When Might Your Pet Need a Veterinary Dermatologist?
Your primary care vet is fantastic, but sometimes they’ll recommend a specialist when a problem is unusually stubborn, complex, or just isn’t getting better. We know you’re looking for answers. Our approach is built around figuring out why your pet is experiencing their symptoms. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s probably time to see a dermatologist:
Itching
Your pet is always scratching, licking their paws, chewing, or rubbing against the furniture
Chronic Ear Infections
You feel like you’re always at the vet for ear medicine. If an ear infection comes back again and again, it’s almost always a sign of an underlying allergy
Hair Loss
Patches of thinning fur or bald spots (and it’s not just seasonal shedding)
Recurrent Skin Infections
Those angry “hot spots,” scabs, or rashes that seem to clear up with antibiotics and keep returning
Suspected Allergies
You have noticed your pet’s symptoms change after eating certain foods or seasonally
Any Skin Concerns
blisters, ulcers, crusty paw pads, or brittle nails, skin growths
What to Expect at Your Appointment
We understand that by the time you see us, you may have been dealing with these issues for a long time. Your initial consultation is a comprehensive review of your pet’s history. We’ll talk about their diet, their environment, and every symptom you’ve seen to understand the full context of their health.
We use specialized diagnostic tools to get the complete picture. This often includes Microscope Analysis (Cytology), where we look at a small sample from the skin or ears to identify if yeast, bacteria, or parasites are part of the problem.
Once we have a diagnosis, we build a customized plan with you. The goal is long-term management and comfort, not just a temporary fix. We want to reduce your pet’s reliance on medications like steroids, which can have tough side effects.
Advanced Dermatology Testing
Advanced Allergy Testing
We can perform highly accurate skin testing (intradermal testing) to find out exactly what environmental triggers (like pollens, molds, or dust mites) are causing the reaction.
Skin Biopsies
For more complex cases, taking 2-4 tiny skin samples to be analyzed by a lab is the best way to diagnose autoimmune or hormonal issues.
Video Otoscopy
We use a high-definition camera to see deep inside the ear canal and middle ear. This lets us find problems, take samples, and even perform a deep, safe cleaning (a “deep ear flush”) that just isn’t possible otherwise.
Conditions We Manage
Our veterinary dermatology team is equipped to handle a wide range of conditions, from the common to the complex:
- Environmental Allergies (Atopic Dermatitis)
- Food Allergies
- Chronic Ear Disease (Otitis)
- Middle/Inner Ear Infections
- Ear Polyps
- Parasitic Infections
- Autoimmune Skin Diseases
- Hormone-Related Skin Problems
- Skin Cancers
- Disorders of the Nails and Paw Pads
Meet Our Dermatology Team
Our team isn’t just focused on skin—we’re focused on your pet’s overall well-being. We are committed to providing this expert care with the compassion and understanding you both deserve. We see ourselves as partners with you and your primary care veterinarian, all working together to help your pet live a happy, comfortable life.
If you are concerned about your pet’s dermatological health, please talk to your primary veterinarian about a referral to one of our specialty dermatology departments at either Metropolitan Veterinary Associates or Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital.