Skin problems are VERY COMMON conditions in pets and many of them are caused by allergies. Common allergies include flea bites (even rare bites can cause major skin allergies) and inhaled allergies (such as caused by house dust mites and pollens).
Sometimes hormone imbalances can cause skin disorders, usually a gradual symmetrical thinning of the coat, often along the flanks, or a fluffy puppy-like coat change!
Many different tests may be required to determine the underlying cause and we usually recommend using a strong flea treatment as part of the initial treatment as many animals improve on this alone.
Tests performed include skin scrapings (where a blade is used to remove the top surface of the skin where mites hide and look at the sample under a microscope), fur plucks for culture (bacterial and fungal) and blood or intra-dermal skin testing for allergies. Blood tests may be performed if hormonal conditions (such as adrenal gland and thyroid disorders) are suspected.
Heather Smith holds the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Dermatology and is keen to see animals with skin complaints. Heather holds specific skin clinics at Stoke Road most Wednesday mornings.
We also have an independent visiting skin specialist, Mark Craig, who sees skin cases at our Walnut Tree Hospital and Stoke Road Surgery on several Wednesdays every month. Mark qualified as a vet from Liverpool University in 1985. After 5 years in general veterinary practice, he spent three and a quarter years as resident in dermatology at the Royal Veterinary College, where he gained his RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Dermatology. Since leaving the college in 1993, Mark has built up Re-Fur-All Referrals, a veterinary dermatology referral service in the south of England and midlands. He regularly performs intradermal allergy testing. Mark is dermatology editor for the veterinary publication, UK Vet, writes extensively on animal skin diseases and has presented papers at national and international dermatology congresses. Mark welcomes all animals with skin problems, no matter how challenging!
Please speak to one of our veterinary surgeons to arrange an appointment to see Mark.
Tests performed include skin scrapings (where a blade is used to remove the top surface of the skin where mites hide and look at the sample under a microscope), fur plucks for culture (bacterial and fungal) and blood or intra-dermal skin testing for allergies. Blood tests may be performed if hormonal conditions (such as adrenal gland and thyroid disorders) are suspected.
We also have an independent visiting skin specialist, Mark Craig, who sees skin cases at our Walnut Tree Hospital and Stoke Road Surgery on several Wednesdays every month. Mark qualified as a vet from Liverpool University in 1985. After 5 years in general veterinary practice, he spent three and a quarter years as resident in dermatology at the Royal Veterinary College, where he gained his RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Dermatology. Since leaving the college in 1993, Mark has built up Re-Fur-All Referrals, a veterinary dermatology referral service in the south of England and midlands. He regularly performs intradermal allergy testing. Mark is dermatology editor for the veterinary publication, UK Vet, writes extensively on animal skin diseases and has presented papers at national and international dermatology congresses. Mark welcomes all animals with skin problems, no matter how challenging!