Allergies & Dermatology

Is your pet’s itchy skin keeping you both up at night?

Ear and skin disorders can destroy quality of life, both for a pet as well as his or her owner. That’s why Barker Animal Hospital is pleased to offer complete skin care for your pet. Our veterinary professionals keep abreast of the latest advances in the causes, diagnoses and treatment methods for these frustrating conditions. With proper ongoing management you and your pet can regain a better quality of life. Our wellness programs would cover the cost of your pet’s exam, and save you money on diagnostics and treatment medications.

Diagnosing the Problem

The first step toward helping your pet feel better again is identifying the precise condition he or she is experiencing. Our hospital is outfitted with an in-house laboratory, which allows us to run a number of diagnostic tests quickly and efficiently. We may be able to tell what’s wrong just by examining your pet, or we may need to investigate further. Blood work, skin scrapings and biopsies help us get the answers we need to move forward with a cure.

Some of the dermatological issues we can provide assistance with include:

• Allergies (food and/or environmental)
• Infections (acute or chronic)
• Parasites
• Dermatitis
• Hormonal disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Tumors
• Skin cancer

Developing a Treatment Plan

To determine how best to treat the problem, we will consider a number of unique factors. This allows us to develop a tailor-made approach just for your pet, designed to achieve the best possible results. Depending on the situation, we may recommend something as simple as applying a topical cream. More complex conditions may call for a combination of treatment methods.

Allergies require a little more work to manage. Once we understand what’s causing your pet’s reactions, we will work toward a solution that will eliminate outbreaks as much as possible. Some allergies can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as switching food products. Others may require a longer-term strategy. Our recommendations will be based on your pet’s specific needs.

Signs of a possible skin problem include:

• Excessive scratching
• Scabbing or flaking of the skin
• Hot spots
• Shedding more than usual
• Biting, chewing or licking at the affected area
• Bumps or lumps on or under the skin

Much confusion exists in the general public today regarding causes and cures for skin problems in animals. Save yourself frustration and expense by consulting with a qualified veterinarian regarding your pet’s skin condition. Contact the experienced professionals at Barker Animal Hospital today!