Important to know: What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Dermatology in Cats and Dogs

Skin problems are one of the most common reasons pets visit the vet, yet they're often dismissed as "just a rash" until things get worse. Here's what you need to know.

What is veterinary dermatology?

Dermatology covers everything to do with your pet's skin, coat, ears, and nails. These conditions can range from mild irritation to chronic disease, and they affect cats and dogs of all ages and breeds.

 

What are common symptoms that require dermatological care?

Persistent scratching, licking, or chewing at the skin is the most obvious sign something's wrong. You might also notice hair loss, redness, flaking, scabbing, greasy or smelly skin, recurring ear infections, or raised bumps and sores that don't heal. In cats, over-grooming to the point of bald patches is a common red flag.

Within Dogs:

  • Itchiness

  • Paw licking

  • Ear infections

  • Hair loss

  • Crusty or smelly skin

Within Cats:

  • Overgrooming

  • Hair loss

  • Crusty or flaky skin

  • Excessive furball production

 

How can I help my pet?

Keep your pet's coat clean and well-groomed, stay up to date with flea and parasite prevention, and avoid known allergens if you've identified any triggers. A balanced diet supports healthy skin too. That said, home care is a supplement to treatment, not a replacement.

When should you see a vet?

Don't wait it out if symptoms have lasted more than a week, are spreading, seem to be causing your pet distress, or keep coming back. Skin conditions rarely resolve on their own, and the underlying cause, whether that's allergies, parasites, infections, or hormonal issues, usually needs a proper diagnosis to treat effectively.

Why early diagnosis matters

Many skin conditions share similar symptoms but have very different causes. Getting the right diagnosis early prevents unnecessary suffering and often means simpler, less costly treatment.

What dermatology equipment is used in veterinary?

The dermatology equipment we use for our appointments are:

  • In-house microscopy for immediate diagnosis 

  • Otoscope

  • Blood testing for hormonal conditions and treatment of allergic conditions 

  • Surgical suite and nursing team for sedated diagnostics and anaesthetised ear flushes and skin biopsies 

What to expect during a dermatology appointment?

Preparation – A pre-visit questionnaire will be provided prior to the appointment to obtain information about your pet’s condition. 

Duration of initial visit – 1 hour for initial consultation, involving an in-depth discussion of your pet’s skin disease history, clinical examination, some initial skin samples and a written report. 

Some conditions require additional sampling, anaesthesia, biopsies or sending samples to an external laboratory. If this is required, we will discuss it with you and an estimate will be provided.

Meet Our Dermatology Specialist

Maddie, a postgraduate certificate-holder in dermatology, has a passion for helping pets experiencing a wide range of skin, fur, and nail conditions. By gaining this additional qualification through further study, Maddie has acquired the tools necessary to correctly diagnose and treat your pet’s skin condition. 

Book an appointment with Horner Vets

If your pet is showing any of these signs, don't wait. Call us on 0121 270 5800 or book online today, and let's help your pet feel more comfortable.

Cat Wellness, Dog WellnessJames HornerTravel