Interdigital folliculitis and furunculosis (IFF) is a common presenting problem to our practice. I see at least one case per day! Why? It is a frustrating skin problem in many dogs and for many veterinarians and pet parents. There are predisposing causes, primary diseases that contribute and secondary problems that exacerbate. The cause is multifactorial. […] Read more>

Veterinary dermatologists primarily care for dogs and cats with conditions involving the skin, ears, hair coat, nails and mucosae. We see parasites, skin infections, allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, hormone imbalances, and metabolic or systemic diseases that have cutaneous manifestations. Many skin diseases have characteristic features or breed associations we are trained to identify.  The first […] Read more>

History: 11 yr old MC Beagle presented for moderate pruritus and new skin lesions on his trunk of 2 months duration. A hair coat color change (greying) was noted over the preceding 12 months. Cephalosporin antibiotics, antimicrobial shampoos, antihistamines, and prednisone had been dispensed without a change in lesion appearance or pruritus. Apoquel (oclacitinib) was […] Read more>

Several skin diseases in the dog may affect the nasal planum. A few of these only affect the nasal planum. An overview of salient features of the more common skin diseases affecting the nasal planum of dogs is presented. The aim is to familiarize one with the clinical appearance of nasal planum diseases, so one […] Read more>

By: Lauren R. Pinchbeck DVM, MS, DACVD I was recently referred an adult Samoyed that presented to us for her hair falling out. She was not itching or scratching more than what the owner felt was a normal.  The extent of hair loss and ease of epilation of the hair coat was striking. The hair […] Read more>

The term “hot spot” is commonly used by pet owners to describe localized lesional areas of skin that may or may not be itchy to the dog. “Hot spots” are a common reason dogs are presented to the veterinarian. To a veterinary dermatologist, a “hot spot” is actually a condition so bothersome to the dog […] Read more>

  By Dr. Lauren Pinchbeck DVM, MS, DACVD. Nail diseases are very interesting to diagnose and treat as a veterinary dermatologist. Infections (bacterial paronychia, onychomycosis), immune mediated diseases (SLE, Pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid), trauma, tumors (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma), inflammatory (vasculitis), metabolic (hepatocutaneous syndrome), and other conditions (nail bed inclusion cysts) may affect the nails […] Read more>

Several skin diseases in the dog may affect the nasal planum. Salient features of the common infectious skin diseases affecting the nasal planum of dogs is presented.  Mucocutaneous pyoderma (MCP) is a common condition that may affect the nasal planum. MCP is a bacterial infection usually caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. German shepherd dogs are the […] Read more>

Preva® Wipes (Bayer Animal Health) are an effective antibacterial product safe for use in dogs and cats. The active ingredient is nisin, a natural antimicrobial derived from Lactococcus lactis. It is effective in rapidly killing gram-positive bacteria at very low concentrations. Data has demonstrated low MIC90s for nisin against methicillin- resistant staphylococci we see regularly […] Read more>

Biologic medicine uses principles of what we know about normal immune responses to rebalance, restore or stimulate a patient’s own immune system to fight disease. Biotherapeutics used in biologic medicine include immunostimulating cytokines (interferon), colony stimulating factors (erythropoietin) and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Therapeutic mAbs can be used to block disease relevant proteins (cytokines, receptors) […] Read more>