Dermatology is one of 18 recognized veterinary specialties. Dogs are prone to hundreds of skin problems, some of them baffling to diagnose. Veterinary dermatologists diagnose and treat skin disorders arising from allergies, glandular problems, resistant skin infections, congenital skin disorders and resistant bacterial infections. When a general practitioner can't effectively treat a dog's skin problem, she will refer her client to a dermatology clinic.
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Function
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A veterinary dermatologist specializes in treating all disorders of the skin, from skin cancer to mange, ear infections to allergies, and anything else affecting the largest organ on a dog's body: the skin. A board-certified veterinary dermatologist has extensive training in dermatology and keeps up on current literature, research and medications.
Professional Organizations
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The two largest professional dermatology associations are the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology (AAVD) and the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD.) Members are required to take continuing education in order to stay current on the latest development in animal dermatology.
Finding a Dermatology Clinic
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Your primary veterinarian should be able to give you a referral to a dermatology clinic, and a clinic will need all your dog's veterinary records from the primary or referring veterinarian. If you live close enough to a veterinary school, contact them and ask if they have a dermatology clinic. One advantage to going to a vet school is the potential to be included in research trials and receive free or low-cost treatment if they are conducting any research on your dog's skin condition. The ACVD also has a clinic locator on its website so you can search for a ACVD-certified dermatologist.
Features
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A fully equipped dermatology clinic will have the diagnostic equipment to culture and precisely identify hundreds of skin conditions and external parasites. Many perform much of their own laboratory work as well as sending biopsy and skin-scraping samples to larger, independent veterinary laboratories.
Complementary and Holistic Dermatologists
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You may want to work with a veterinarian who specializes in complementary therapies and treatments. Many complementary treatments can be done in conjunction with allopathic or "regular" vet care and can be valuable in treating and managing allergies and stubborn skin conditions. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association has a search tool that allows you to search for vets by location and specialty.
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