Dermatology for Pets

Constant itching. Ear infections that keep coming back. Skin problems no one can explain. A Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist finds the real cause, so your pet can finally stop scratching.

Find a specialist

Start with what you're seeing

What's Going on With Your Pet?

Pick the problem that sounds familiar and we'll show you how a Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist helps.

Won't stop itching

Hair loss, bald patches, or scabs

Recurring ear infections / head shaking / ear odor

Formation of thick crusts, scabs, and scaling

Found a lump, bump, or mass

Redness, heat, pain, and swelling

Excessive itching and scratching

Education

What Is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist?

A Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist is a veterinarian who trained for years beyond veterinary school to specialize in one thing: the skin, ears, coat, and allergies of animals. After earning their veterinary degree, they complete a one-year internship, then a three-year residency focused entirely on dermatology, publish original research, and pass a demanding board exam to earn the title Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD).

It is a small and highly specialized field. There are only about 500 Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologists in the entire world. Skin and ear issues are among the most common reasons pets are taken to the vet, and these are the specialists who see nothing else all day. When your regular veterinarian has done everything they can, this is who they turn to.

Why a Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist Gets You Answers Faster

In human medicine, nobody thinks twice about seeing a dermatologist for a stubborn skin problem. It works the same way for pets. Most people just don't realize the option is there.

A general veterinarian is trained across every system in the body. A Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist has spent years focused on skin, ears, and allergies alone, with access to diagnostic tools most general practices don't run in-house. That focus is why they so often find the real cause of a problem that has been coming back for months or years. Instead of trying one treatment, waiting to see, and trying the next, a specialist can narrow things down quickly and treat the actual condition rather than the symptom on the surface. For a lot of pets, that is the difference between another round of guesswork and real, lasting relief.

You're Not Leaving Your Primary Veterinarian

Seeing a specialist doesn't mean starting over. Your primary veterinarian stays your pet's main doctor for everything else. We focus on the skin, ear, and allergy piece, keep your veterinarian in the loop after every visit, and hand care back once things are stable. It works the same way it does for people. You keep your regular doctor, you just see a dermatologist for the specific problem.

What Happens at Your First Visit

Your first appointment is mostly detective work. The Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist goes through your pet's full history, looks closely at the skin and ears, and runs quick tests like skin cytology or ear swabs right there in the room. Most pets leave the same day with a diagnosis, or a clear plan to reach one, plus treatment you can start right away. Visits usually run about an hour. Nothing painful, no surgery, and your pet stays with you the whole time. It helps to bring any medications your pet is currently taking.

What It Costs, Up Front

Specialty care is an investment, and we'd rather you know what to expect before anything happens. At your first visit you'll get a clear estimate for any recommended testing or treatment, and nothing moves forward without your okay. Many pet insurance plans cover dermatology, and our team can walk you through payment options if you need them. Often, getting to the right answer once costs less than years of treating the wrong thing.

Pharmacy & Home Care