Dermatology Center for Animals

Dermatology Center for Animals We are committed to fostering professional, caring, personalized service with our referring veterinarians and their clients.

At Dermatology Center for Animals, our goal is to provide Seattle's surrounding population of referring veterinarians and their clients’ pets the highest specialized care in the areas of infectious, parasitic, allergic, autoimmune, hormonal and cancerous conditions in veterinary dermatology.

Not all hair loss is allergy related!This is a male, neutered, 3 yr old standard Schnauzer who was seen for progressive...
05/07/2022

Not all hair loss is allergy related!

This is a male, neutered, 3 yr old standard Schnauzer who was seen for progressive hair loss that started around January 2022. The dog is not described to be itchy, although he does roll around on his back outside, occasionally. He was prescribed antibiotics and administered an anti itch medication (Cytopoint) with no improvement.

Notice the non-inflammatory nature of this hair loss, most pronounced on around the lower back and flanks! Dogs who have skin infections will generally have pustules, crusting, and circular areas of hair loss (epidermal collarettes).

Given the non-inflammatory hair loss and failure to regrow hair, and lack of itching, age of this dog, a low thyroid level was suspected and test results helped confirm this disease. Simple thyroid supplementation should help correct this problem!

This is a 1.5 yr old FS Jindo that was referred to see us. She was obtained at around 7 mo from Korea. 2 weeks after she...
04/22/2022

This is a 1.5 yr old FS Jindo that was referred to see us. She was obtained at around 7 mo from Korea. 2 weeks after she was obtained, she became itchy. She has been receiving Apoquel and Cytopoint injections with no improvement. She has been receiving the Royal Canin hydrolyzed protein diet. Her primary care veterinarian submitted a blood allergy test. She has been receiving Sentinel for flea/heart worm/GI parasite control. Nothing has been helping. Her owner developed an unusual itchy rash in January.

Notice the generalized crusting around the eyes, face, and head, but especially around the ears and boney prominences (elbows and hocks/ankles).

The distribution of skin lesions, with the owner’s history of itchy rash, and only using Sentinel, which does not kill adult fleas or other parasites (it only sterilizes flea eggs), SCABIES was immediately at the top of the list of possible diagnoses. Sure enough, numerous scabies mites were found on superficial skin scrapings. This dog was treated with Bravecto, a flea and tick medication.

PSA to all veterinarians: before a dermatologist generally considers allergy testing, a thorough history including any people involved in the care of the pet that might be exhibiting unusual itching/skin issues should be determined, and all other similar appearing itchy disorders (flea and food allergies) AND skin parasites, should be thoroughly ruled out or identified. And 1 prescription food trial does not always rule out a food allergy!

Not all skin infections are allergy related!This 8yr old dog was referred for further evaluation of recurring skin infec...
12/07/2021

Not all skin infections are allergy related!

This 8yr old dog was referred for further evaluation of recurring skin infections. This dog HAS NOT been itchy and began having skin infections, responsive to antibiotics, about 2.5 years ago. Their veterinarian performed blood allergy testing, which had positive test results for some allergens. This dog had been prescribed anti-itch medications which did not help with the crust like skin lesions. After failing allergy shot desensitization therapy, after about 1.5 years, this dog was referred to DCA. No prior blood work had been performed.

Notice the classic and pronounced hair loss on the bridge of the nose and tail tip and mild thinning along the back of the legs. This dog had a very low total T4, very low Free T4, and elevated TSH. This dog was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and given the overall lack of itching, does not likely suffer from environmental allergies.

As a reminder, environmental allergies are best diagnosed by ruling out all other important and similar appearing processes. Blood allergy and even allergy skin testing is not a definitive way to say yes or no, a pet has allergies.

If it looks like ringworm…it’s probably not. That’s generally considered a true statement amongst most dermatologists. B...
12/07/2021

If it looks like ringworm…it’s probably not. That’s generally considered a true statement amongst most dermatologists. But….

Reminder to veterinarians, although ringworm is generally considered uncommon in dogs, it should always be considered in cases of folliculitis. And asking the right questions can be very helpful in establishing differential diagnoses.

This dog was suspected of having allergies, due to licking behavior. Immune altering drugs like prednisone, Apoquel, and Cytopoint were not helping. It was referred to DCA for allergy testing. When asked if anyone at home had developed any unusual skin lesions, the owners informed us that a young child was diagnosed with ringworm around the time the dog began developing skin issues, about 8 months ago! A fungal PCR test was positive for ringworm on this dog.

Treatment should be continued until a negative PCR test is obtained.

Here’s an example of a dog with Discoid Lupus Erythematous (DLE). This can look virtually identical to a dog with mucocu...
02/19/2021

Here’s an example of a dog with Discoid Lupus Erythematous (DLE). This can look virtually identical to a dog with mucocutaneous pyoderma. This dog failed to improve with antibiotics, thus likely rendering a diagnosis of DLE.

02/13/2021

What is this stuff??? 😃

02/13/2021

Wiley’s first snow day!!

12/10/2020

Don’t forget about ear mites! 8 year old Shepard with 2 month history of persistent ear infections.

What’s your diagnosis:4.5 yr old male castrated mixed breed dog. Crusting started around thre bridge of the nose, spread...
10/23/2020

What’s your diagnosis:
4.5 yr old male castrated mixed breed dog. Crusting started around thre bridge of the nose, spread to the testicles, the feet became inflamed. The dog lives in Eastern Washington with no travel history.

What’s your Diagnosis:6 yr Male Neutered Bulldog
08/22/2020

What’s your Diagnosis:
6 yr Male Neutered Bulldog

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430 Yale Avenue N
Seattle, WA
98109

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