In people, itchiness is a symptom that we can easily identify and express. In dogs, the most common cause of itchiness is allergic skin disease; dogs however express their itchiness in behaviors unique to ours, which can make correctly identifying (and addressing) this behavior a challenge. Other than the obvious scratching behavior we know too... Learn More
The most common cause of excessive licking, biting, scratching, and chewing of the skin in dogs and cats is allergic skin disease. These diseases are not curable, but can be successfully managed and abated with targeted and diligent therapies. Intense, rapid-onset itch, as well as the formation of skin lesions in the absence of significant... Learn More
At this time of year we are all enjoying spring and looking forward to the summer. But with leafy trees, colorful flowers, and plants blooming, we are also very aware of the pollens! Many humans suffer from allergic disease and many pet owners can see their dogs and cats suffering as well. Cats and dogs... Learn More
Environmental allergies are a life-long problem for so many pets. What is especially hard is that we cannot easily remove environmental allergens. Most dogs and cats are NOT allergic to cleaning products, laundry detergents, or litter. Although many dog and cat parents would be willing to do anything for their pets, cleaning or filtering simply... Learn More
Spring is here, and nature is waking up from hibernation to greet the sunlight and warmer temperatures. This also means other creatures are crawling out: fleas and ticks. These creatures can actually be a problem year-round, especially in warmer climates like the DMV area. Knowing that fleas or ticks are on us or on our... Learn More
Bathing your pet can be important for reasons like general hygiene, the occasional unexpected mud bath, and de-skunking. Some pet owners may be surprised to know that for certain medical reasons, like bacterial infections, your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo as part of the treatment plan. With antibiotic resistance becoming an increasing global concern,... Learn More
Winter Tips for Your Pet’s Paws We’re all waiting for spring, but in case March comes in like a lion, we wanted to share some pet paw winter safety tips. The New York Times recently noted the desire to “winterize” our dogs with clothes. Not every dog will tolerate boots, and not every dog will... Learn More
Post Grooming Furunculosis What is post-grooming furunculosis? Post-grooming furunculosis is a deep skin infection that occurs rather quickly, usually on the back of dogs (where grooming products are commonly placed). The infection is often due to an organism, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that is associated with water environments. Because of this association, most affected dogs have... Learn More
Are You or Your Pet Itching to Learn About Allergy Medications? While treating infection and working up the underlying allergic cause for infections/itch, we often need to help your pet feel more comfortable at the same time. The over-the-counter products (ex. topicals, antihistamines, vitamin E, fish oils, etc.) may be relatively safe, but this often... Learn More
Spring is Coming – What You Need to Know About Your Pet’s Allergies! Updated February 20th, 2018 FREE Client Education Event: 4/14/18 @ 1pm “Allergic Pets – What to feed them and why” Join veterinary dermatologist Dr. Darcie Kunder to discuss dermatologic problems (and solutions) caused by what you’re feeding your pet. Bring your dog... Learn More
DERMASTROLOGY – Reading the Skin Signs Who is a veterinary dermatologist? Many owners, even those who work in human medicine, are surprised to hear that there are veterinarians who specialize in only dermatology. Dermatology is a branch of medicine that manages diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails. Other human specialists may manage allergies, infections,... Learn More
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