Dermatology

Veterinary dermatology is an essential discipline that treats skin diseases and conditions affecting pets.

Skin problems in your pet

Skin conditions are one of the most common reasons for consultation in veterinary medicine. To Veterinary Clinic Paris 17, we take care of the common dermatological problems of your dog or cat, with the possibility to direct you to a specialized dermatologist veterinarian when the situation requires it.

Recognizing the signs of a dermatological problem

Your pet may need consult a veterinarian for a skin problem if you observe:

Intensive or persistent scraping
Redness, plaques or buttons on the skin
Abnormal hair loss or degarned areas
Crusts or squams (films)
Fat, smelly or sweaty skin
Excessive drying or biting of certain areas
Frequent head shaking (ear problem)

Glove hands examining skin injury on a hairy animal.

Early detection often allows a simpler and more effective treatment by your veterinarian or, if necessary, by a veterinary dermatologist.

Common dermatological problems in dogs

My dog constantly scratches

Itching in dogs may have various origins that sometimes require the expertise of a veterinary dermatologist:

Allergies (food, environmental, contact)
External Parasites (chips, ticks, augusts, scabies)
Bacterial or fungal infections
Eczema and other dermatitis
Drug reactions
Hormonal disorders

Dog-specific skin disorders

In addition to common problems, your dog may suffer from special conditions:

Hot spots (Pyotraumatic dermatitis): Areas of acute inflammation, painful and oozing
Canine atopic dermatitis : Chronic inflammatory disease of allergic origin affecting up to 10% of dogs
Seborrhoea : Keratinization disorder causing dandruff and unpleasant smell
Dermatitis by licking : Self-inflicted by compulsive leaching
Folliculitis : Infection of hair follicles creating buttons and pustules
Zinc-responsive dermatosis : Problem Nutrition affecting certain races (Husky, Malamute)
Pyodermitis of skin folds : Infection in skin folds (Bouledogue, Carlin, Shar-Pei)
Contact dermatitis : Reaction to irritant substances (shampooes, plants, tissues)

Focus on canine eczema

Eczema in the dog is manifested by redness, itching and sometimes sooting. This inflammatory dermatitis may have an allergic component, especially seasonal (hence more marked symptoms in summer). A veterinary dermatologist may be required for complex or resistant cases.

Common dermatological problems in cats

My cat has crusts on her back.

Dorsal crusts in cats can report several conditions:

One allergic dermatitis flea bites (DAPP)
One Miliary dermatitis (small scattered crusts)
One parasitic infestation
One Immune disorder
One secondary bacterial infection

Specific cat skin disorders

Your cat may also be affected by particular dermatological problems:

Eosinophilic granuloma complex feline : Ulcerative, erosive or nodular lesions
Feline acne : Black dots and pustules on the chin
Foliate pemphigus : Autoimmune disease causing pustules and crusts
Contact allergic dermatitis : Reactions to products antiparasitic or fabrics
Dermatophytosis (tongue): Contaminant fungal infection
Psychogenic alopecia feline : Loss of hair due to excessive grooming stress
Solar dermatitis : Injuries on hairy areas exposed to the sun (ears, nose)
Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis : Characteristics of cats with short coat

Feline alopecia: When your cat loses hair

Cat hair loss can be caused by:

Excessive grooming due to stress
Food and environmental allergies
External parasites
Fungal infections (tongue)
Hormonal disorders

These cases may require the intervention of a veterinary dermatologist for a specific diagnosis.

Otitis: a problem with the veterinary dermatologist

Inflammation of the hearing canal is common, especially in dogs with falling ears. Although often treated by the general veterinarian, chronic or complex otitis may require the expertise of a veterinary dermatologist. They can be caused by:

Allergy
Parasites (mites)
Bacterial or fungal infections
Excessive accumulation of cerumen
Foreign bodies

Warning signs include: head shaking, ear scratching, ear discharge, redness of the flag, unpleasant smell.

Our diagnostic approach

At the Veterinary Clinic Paris 17, we step by step to identify the origin of skin problems:

In-depth clinical examination and background
Treatment of your animal
For complex or chronic cases, we do not hesitate to refer you to a specialist dermatologist veterinarian who has advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Frequently Asked Questions on dermatology

Find here the answers to the most frequently asked questions on this subject.

Crusts can be a sign of different conditions, from simple allergy to more serious problems. Consultation is recommended to make a precise diagnosis and avoid worsening of symptoms.

Some allergies are seasonal, including those associated with pollen or some insects that are more present in hot weather. This seasonality can help to diagnose and implement preventive treatments before periods at risk.

Constant itching in a dog can have many causes: parasites (especially spices!), allergies (food, environmental), skin infections, or even stress. A veterinary examination is necessary to identify the exact cause and propose a targeted treatment.

A veterinary dermatologist is particularly suitable for complex, chronic, recurrent or resistant skin problems. Your usual veterinarian can guide you if your animal requires this specialized expertise.

Your Animal has a Skin Problem?

Contact the Veterinary Clinic for a specific diagnosis. Together, we will determine whether general management is sufficient or whether referral to a veterinary dermatologist is necessary.
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