Skin Care

Many dogs have skin sensitivities. Some are allergy related due to an environmental or dietary factor while others are caused by parasites. No matter what the issue, skin problems can be very irritating for your dog. Our knowledgeable team of veterinarians can provide your dog with relief options and help keep their skin healthy.

What are the causes, symptoms & diagnosis of bacterial skin infections?

There are many causes of skin irritations and infections. During a veterinary consultation, the areas of concern will be carefully examined and if required a skin scraping and cytology can be performed. This will allow them to evaluate the sample on a microscopic level.

What are the causes, symptoms, and treatment for ringworms?

Despite the name, ringworm is not actually a worm or even caused by a worm. It is a fungal infection of the top layers of the skin and hair. Classic symptoms include lesions or “sores” that typically appear on a dog’s head, ears, paws or forelimbs. These lesions can cause patchy, crusted circular bald spots that sometimes look red in the center. It’s also possible for a dog to carry the fungus and not show any signs or symptoms. A “Wood’s” lamp exam or fungal culture will be performed if the lesion is suspicious of ringworm or if a family member has been diagnosed with this zoonotic disease.

What are the causes and treatment for allergic skin diseases?

Skin allergies in dogs are typically caused by two factors: environmental and food-related allergens. Food allergies can be controlled with proper diet and by avoiding the triggers that cause discomfort to your dog. Environmental allergens can be controlled with medications that can help reduce the side effects of skin allergies. Avoidance of known or suspected allergens can also reduce symptoms. Blood tests or referral skin allergy testing can be performed to identify common allergens and develop hyposensitization treatment for an affected pet.

What are the causes and treatment for parasitic skin diseases?

Fleas and mites are the biggest culprits causing parasitic skin issues. Treatment options typically come in either a topical or oral form. Please feel free to speak to our staff and decide which treatment option would be right for your pet.

What are the causes and treatment for hormonal skin diseases?

An imbalance of hormones can cause hair loss or delayed growth and skin changes as well as redness and itching due to secondary infections. Our veterinarians will discuss medication therapy if your pet has a confirmed hormone imbalance.