Skin conditions are some of the most common reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Veterinary waiting rooms are often filled with dogs with ear infections or hot spots and itchy cats scratching themselves raw. When these common diseases become chronic or difficult to treat, or when a pet is afflicted with an unusual skin disease, the primary care veterinarian may suggest referral to a veterinary dermatologist.

A veterinary dermatologist has advanced training and expertise in a wide range of skin conditions. Their expertise extends from the ears (ear infections, tumors and polyps), to the nose (discoid lupus, mucocutaneous pyoderma), to the toes (symmetric lupoid onychodystrophy, pemphigus foliaceus), to the tail (hypothyroidism, vasculitis).

Our dermatology team uses specialized tools, combined with expertise regarding the skin, to diagnose and treat even the most stubborn or unusual conditions. Our goal is always to communicate thoroughly with the pet’s family, so that we can work with you to find the best solution/s for your pet. We also work in collaboration with your veterinarian and, when needed, with our other specialists, to make a comprehensive treatment plan that works for your pet as well as you and your family.

The Services We Offer

• Intradermal and serum allergy testing and immunotherapy for allergic desensitization
• Video-otoscopy and CT scans for external and middle ear disease
• Cytology and culture for bacterial and fungal skin and ear infections
• Dermatophyte culture and PCR to evaluate for ringworm
• Trichoscopy for hair shaft evaluation
• Skin scraping to detect mites
• Fine needle aspiration for skin tumor evaluation
• Genetic testing for congenital skin diseases
• Skin biopsy for diagnosis of tumors and many complex disorders
• Management of allergic skin diseases
• Management of acute and chronic ear infections
• Management of auto-immune or immune-mediated skin diseases
• Rush immunotherapy for expediting allergy treatment
• Intralymphatic immunotherapy for refractory allergy treatment
• Dermal microabrasion for the treatment of Alopecia X

The Conditions We See

We see a wide range of skin and ear diseases including, but not limited to:

• Skin and ear infections - bacterial and fungal
• Allergies - environmental and food
• Endocrine disorders - Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism
• Skin parasites
• Skin cancer
• Hair loss
• Auto-immune disease
• Perianal fistulas

Our Doctors

The Dermatology Service is headed by Dr. Elizabeth Falk, DVM, DACVD. She is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology.

To make a referral or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Falk, please call 203.595.2777.