972.437.9499
office
972.680.9233
fax
12101 Greenville Ave
Suite 114
Dallas, TX 75234
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday-Friday
7 am - 6 pm
By
Appointment Only
OUR DOCTORS:
Cheryl K. Harris, DVM, ACVIM (Internal Medicine, Oncology)
Glen King, DVM, ACVR (Radiation Oncology, Radiology)
David S. Rolfe, DVM, MS, ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Héctor J. Encarnación, DVM
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Canine and Feline Dermatology & Allergies
Dermatology and Allergy Topics
The skin is the largest organ in the body. Animals are susceptible to a variety of skin disorders which include allergies, ectoparasites, bacterial and fungal infections, hereditary and congenital disease, chronic ear infections, diseases of the feet, footpads and nails, autoimmune skin diseases, endocrine or hormonal disorders, and skin cancer. When the skin or ear disorder fails to respond to traditional treatment, the dermatology department at VSNT is available to provide the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of these dermatologic problems.
Our dermatologist, Dr. Christine Rees, will work closely with your primary care veterinarian to help determine the cause and treatment options for your pet¡¯s dermatologic and/or allergic problem. Our facility offers state of art information and technology which enables us to get the job done. Some examples of specialized diagnostic tests that are available include intradermal allergy testing and immunotherapy, examination of the middle ear using a video otoscope, specialized equipment for deep ear flushes and biopsies of ear masses, CT scans, digital radiography, in-house diagnostic blood testing, skin biopsies and histopathology interpretation.
A
nimal dermatology disorders and allergies are complicated and complex
and may warrant specialized knowledge and experience. Dr. Rees
has extensive experience in both small animal and equine dermatology.
She was a tenured Associate Professor at Texas A&M for 13 years. While
at Texas A&M University, she taught in the small animal and equine
clinic, performed research and provided classroom education for many
Texas veterinarians. As a specialty referral center, Veterinary
Specialists of North Texas Dermatology and Allergy Department is committed
to working with your family veterinarian in an integrated team approach
to better serve you and your pet.
ACVD Board Certified Veterinary Specialists - How are they different from a family veterinarian?
In addition to completing undergraduate training and four years of veterinary school, Board-certified Veterinary Specialists are similar to their human counterparts in that they have completed an internship or practice equivalent and residency in their specialized field (an additional 2 to 4 years of training). In addition to this extensive training, a Board-certified Veterinary Specialist must pass a rigorous examination to achieve Board certification from ACVD. Veterinary dermatologists are trained in immunology and allergies, internal medicine as it relates to the development of skin disease, oncology, dermatohistopathology (skin biopsies), parasitic skin disease, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and mycology, hormone or endocrine skin diseases, psychogenic skin disease, and basic science (structure and function of the skin). Species that are studied during the dermatology residency include dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, small exotic animals, zoo animals, birds, reptiles and even some human diseases.
Why does my pet need to see a Board-certified Veterinary Dermatologist?
These specialists focus on diagnosing and managing skin and/or ear diseases. Unlike a human dermatologist, veterinary dermatologists also have training in diagnosing and managing allergies in animals and dermatohistopathology (reading and interpreting skin biopsies). They are also more experienced than a family veterinarian in selecting dermatologic lesions for biopsy that will result in the highest probability of reaching an accurate diagnosis of your pet¡¯s dermatologic problem.
Examples of dermatologic problems your family veterinarian might refer your pet to a dermatologist are:
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Lumps or bumps on the skin (nodules or tumors)
- Scaling skin (seborrhea)
- Itching, scratching, licking (pruritus)
- Ear infections or redness (otitis)
- Cracking, broken or scaling nails
- Changes in pigment of the skin
- Acne type lesions (papules, pustules)
- Draining tracts
- Black heads lesions on the skin (comedones)
- Footpad dermatitis (pododermatitis)
- Red and inflamed skin (erythema)
- Ulcerations on the skin
- Moles on the skin
What should I expect during a visit with a Board-certified Veterinary Dermatologist?
The dermatologist will perform a complete and thorough physical examination of your pet. Based on the history and physical examination findings, additional tests may need to be performed. These tests may include:
- Skin scrapings
- Skin cytologies
- Skin biopsies
- Fungal cultures
- Bacterial cultures
- Intradermal allergy testing (skin testing for allergies)
- Immunotherapy
- Advanced laboratory testing of various tissue and blood samples.
- Video otoscopy or imaging of the ear
- Myringotomy with aspiration of the fluid from within the ear for cytology and culture
- Ear flushing or cleaning
- Diagnostic imaging- ultrasound, radiography (x-rays), CT scans, MRIs
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12101 Greenville Ave., Suite 114
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