Skin disorders are a common but frustrating problem in pets and without effective treatment, they can develop into serious health issues. These problems can leave you feeling helpless as you watch your pet’s discomfort affect the quality of their life and yours. Midwest Veterinary Dermatology Center (MVDC) is dedicated to finding the source of your pet’s condition and working with you and your family veterinarian to find a solution.
MVDC has a board-certified dermatologist who uses his training, years of experience, and specialized equipment to diagnose and treat even the most difficult cases in pets. Those cases can range from metabolic diseases and immune-mediated conditions to chronic ear infections and skin cancer.
Dermatology Direct Phone: (847) 459-7580
What to Expect at a Veterinary Dermatology Appointment
When you schedule your pet’s dermatology appointment, we'll contact your referring veterinarian to obtain your pet’s medical records and lab results. If you have additional records, please have them faxed or emailed to us at (847) 459-7535 or derm@vetspecialty.com. We ask that your pet fasts for about 8 hours before the appointment in case we need to draw blood or perform a procedure requiring sedation or anesthesia. Avoid bathing your pet for a few days before the visit, and continue all medications as directed by your primary vet.
Please arrive a few minutes early to complete the paperwork. You can download a dermatology history questionnaire from our website to help with the first appointment.
Your Appointment
A staff member will escort you and your pet to the exam room and take a brief history. After reviewing your pet’s medical history, the doctor will discuss it with you and perform a dermatologic exam. Some lab tests may be needed to determine the next steps, which the doctor will explain during the visit.
You will receive a printout detailing your pet’s visit, including a tentative diagnosis, medication instructions, home care directions, and any recommended tests or procedures. Your referring vet will also receive a copy. Most medications can be dispensed through our office, though some may need to be obtained from an outside pharmacy. You can request an estimate of costs for any procedures, tests, or medications at any time.
Follow-up appointments can be scheduled while you’re here, or you can call or email us later.
Types of Skin Conditions We Can Treat
The board-certified veterinary dermatologist can treat many different skin conditions in pets, including:
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Allergic skin disease
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Adverse food reaction
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Parasites of the skin
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Infectious diseases of the skin
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Chronic or recurrent ear infections
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Diseases of the paws, pads, and nails
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Autoimmune skin diseases
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Endocrine diseases
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Cutaneous manifestations of internal disease
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Skin cancer
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Keratinization defects
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Congenital anomalies of the skin
Veterinary Dermatology Services
Some of the veterinary dermatology services offered include:
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Intradermal test for allergies
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Serum allergy test
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Skin biopsy
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Trichogram and fungal culture
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Diagnostic cytologies and scrapings
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Video otoscopy
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Deep ear flush
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Allergen-specific immunotherapy (both injectable and sublingual)
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Tailored therapeutic protocols
Treatments are tailored to each pet’s needs and may involve a combination of treatments and procedures to relieve pain and skin irritation. The treatment of allergies in pets involves some diagnostic tests and long-term planning to properly manage your pet’s allergies. We build our relationship on good communication since many dermatology patients require long-term care.