Dermatology is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin conditions. And just like people, our pets sometimes need animal care dermatology. If your pet is experiencing skin problems, seek help from Chestnut Animal Clinic and work with a great veterinarian in Conway, AR.
What are the signs my pet has a skin condition?
If you notice any of the following symptoms or behaviors in your pet, they may have something going on with their skin that will require pet dermatology. Monitor your pet for:
- Scratching more than usual
- Licking or chewing paws, legs, feet, or anywhere else on their body excessively
- Hair loss
- Skin that is flaky, red, or irritated
- Sores or crusting on the skin
- Scooting or rubbing on surfaces
This is not an exhaustive list. You'll also notice some of these fall within the normal scope of healthy animal behavior, such as licking. But you know your pet best! If something seems out of the ordinary, it's never a bad idea to investigate with the help of a vet clinic.
What kind of skin problems do animals get?
Cats and dogs can experience a wide range of ailments relating to the skin. Chestnut Animal Clinic also practices exotic animal care. So even if you have rabbits, birds, small farm animals, pocket pets, or primates, we can treat them for a range of dermatology conditions, including:
- Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungus, viruses, and protozoa. Some examples include ringworm, warts, and staphylococcal bacterial infections.
- Parasites such as fleas and ticks.
- Autoimmune diseases like Lupus.
- Endocrine and other internal diseases in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, or hormone-regulating organs.
- Skin cancer
How are skin problems diagnosed in pets?
Depending on what your veterinarian suspects are the case, pet dermatology diagnostics aren’t limited to, but may include any of the below:
- Bloodwork - some skin conditions can indicate internal diseases, and for those, we screen through blood tests.
- Skin scrapings - involves removing the top layers of dead epidermis and is often used to diagnose fungal and parasitic skin conditions.
- Skin biopsies - slightly more invasive than skin scrapings, skin biopsies can be used to diagnose, as well as treat conditions such as warts.
- Cytology tests - These are frequently used to screen for cancer.
Which vet clinic provides pet dermatology in Conway?
Chestnut Animal Clinic has got you covered for pet dermatology in Conway, AR. Our vet clinic treats dogs and cats and also provides exotic animal care. If you need a veterinarian in Conway, contact us at (501) 330-8315.