Sunshine Pet Hospital

Pet Dermatology

Pet Dermatology is a special treatment and care that primarily focuses on diagnosing skin-related diseases in pets. Skin is not just an organ; it’s a protective layer that prevents viruses and bacteria from penetrating the pet’s body. Each year, thousands of pets are taken to pet dermatologists due to skin problems.

We offer dermatology services for cats and dogs. Our knowledgeable and well-experienced veterinarian will ensure your pet’s most promising and safer treatment options. We will implement a long-term and effective treatment plan after proper diagnosis.

Before we get into further details about our dermatology services, let’s discuss the most common pet skin conditions we treat in a routine

Two Schnauzer dogs lying on grass symbolizing pet dermatology care
A cat sleeping symbolizing pet dermatology care

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Pet Skin Conditions?

You must book a Pet Dermatology appointment if you suspect any of these signs in your pet.
  • Skin sores
  • Rashes on skin
  • Skin itching and irritation
  • Lumps
  • Excessive redness
  • Excessive licking
  • Excessive scratching
  • Hair loss
  • Bumps
  • Dandruff
  • Inflammation

Common Dermatology Conditions in Pets

These are the following most common dermatology conditions found in pets.

Allergy

Allergic skin conditions are pretty common in cats and dogs. Environmental factors also play their part in developing these conditions, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, etc. The success of treatment depends on its cause because it’s impossible to treat any condition without knowing its cause. Allergies such as bacterial allergy, contact allergy, inhalant allergy, and food allergy are the most common types seen in pets.

Ear Problems

Ear infections are also widespread in dogs and cats due to bacteria and yeast. Several triggers might cause these types of infections, including moisture, ear mites, and specific allergens. Generally, it takes months to successfully heal an ear infection with continuous treatment as there are chances of relapse.

Autoimmune Skin Diseases

Autoimmune skin diseases are relatively common in pets. The immune system sometimes attacks the skin while fighting a foreign substance such as fungal or yeast. Moreover, certain drugs can also trigger autoimmune skin diseases in pets, so it’s critical to identify the exact cause before finalizing any long-term treatment plan.

Ticks and Fleas

Ticks and Fleas can also cause skin irritation in pets, especially when the flea saliva enters the pet’s body after biting. It triggers a sudden allergic response that might affect your pet’s skin. If you notice excessive scratching in your pet, you must take your pet to a nearby vet for proper diagnosis.

Dandruff

Just like humans, pets such as dogs can also get dandruff and dry skin. Usually, it’s common in winters, but it can also indicate an underlying condition. A professional veterinarian can quickly treat dry skin or dandruff in pets after performing a clinical examination to check the signs of any underlying health problem.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a prevalent skin condition in which hair follicles become infected. The causes often include underlying skin conditions such as mange, skin allergies, or bacterial skin infections.  The above described conditions may require a special medicated pet shampoo with some oral antibiotics to treat this condition.