Dermatology
The Veterinary Dermatology Service provides professional dermatology service to veterinarians and their clients. Referrals for all aspects of veterinary dermatology are welcome, but there is a special interest in ear, allergic and autoimmune diseases. Equine patients with skin diseases are seen in collaboration with equine medicine faculty.
This service offers three subspecialty clinics:
- Ear Clinic - assists referring veterinarians in the diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic otitis in dogs and cats.
- Allergy Clinic - specializes in the management of dogs with allergic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions.
- Autoimmune Clinic - specializes in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune skin diseases of companion animals.
What is a veterinary dermatologist?
A veterinary dermatologist is a veterinarian who has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of animals with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails. A veterinary dermatologist also has had significant training and is experienced in the treatment of allergic disorders. They have completed a residency (specialty training) program in diseases of the skin and they have passed a board examination certifying their expertise in this field. These individuals are recognized as specialists ("diplomates") by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, one of the specialty organizations affiliated with the American Veterinary Medical Association.
They diagnose and treat:
- Infectious and noninfectious skin diseases
- Parasitic skin diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- Allergy and allergy-induced skin diseases
- Skin manifestations of systemic disease (including internal malignancy), cancer of the skin, cysts and other tumors of the skin
- Chronic ear disorders
They perform specialized diagnostic procedures including:
- Microscopic examination of skin biopsy specimens
- Cytological smears
- Intradermal tests for allergic diseases
- Fungal cultures and other microbiologic examination of skin scrapings and secretions
Treatments include:
- Externally applied, injected and internal medications
- Certain dermatologic surgical procedures including skin biopsy
It is important for specialists to stay abreast of new diseases and improvements in the diagnosis and therapy of already recognized disorders. This is accomplished through continuing education. As mentioned, continuing education is a requirement for maintaining board certification. The ACVD cosponsors a yearly scientific program, as well as the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, which is held every 4 years.
Links
- Cutaneous drug reaction database
- Internet medical dermatology resources
- Veterinary Dermatology, an international journal
- American College of Veterinary Dermatology
- European College of Veterinary Dermatology
- European Society of Veterinary Dermatology
Examples of Animal Dermatological Diseases
Large, grouped, irregular pustules are
characteristic of pemphigus foliaceus in animals.
Severe erosions and flaccid vesicles in
vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus of Collies.
Intraepidermal pustule with free-floating
epidermal cells are typical of pemphigus foliaceus.
Circulating IgG autoantibodies recognize hair
follicle structures in equine alopecia areata.
Dystrophic hair shaft from a dog with alopecia areata.
Lymphocytes invade hair bulbs in animals and
humans with alopecia areata