Veterinary Animal Dermatology and Allergy Care in Southeastern Michigan.

Constant scratching, recurring ear infections, hair loss, and irritated skin can make a pet miserable—and leave families frustrated when the problem keeps returning.

Skin and ear conditions are not always simple to diagnose. Similar symptoms can be caused by allergies, parasites, infections, hormonal disorders, immune-mediated diseases, hereditary conditions, or several problems occurring at the same time.

The Dermatology and Allergy team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services provides advanced diagnostic testing and individualized treatment for dogs and cats with persistent or complex skin, coat, ear, and allergy concerns. We work closely with your family veterinarian to identify the underlying causes, relieve your pet’s discomfort, and develop a practical plan for long-term care.

When Should Your Pet See a Veterinary Dermatologist?

An occasional itch does not necessarily require specialty care. However, frequent, severe, or recurring symptoms may indicate a condition that needs more advanced evaluation.

Your family veterinarian may recommend a dermatology consultation if your pet is experiencing:

• Persistent scratching, licking, chewing, or rubbing
• Red, inflamed, flaky, crusted, or unusually oily skin
• Recurrent skin infections
• Sores or wounds that do not heal
• Hair loss, thinning hair, or bald patches
• Changes in skin color or texture
• Unusual skin growths, nodules, or masses
• Persistent odor from the skin or ears
• A skin or ear condition that has not responded as expected to treatment
• Chronic or recurring ear infections
• Frequent head shaking or ear discomfort
• Suspected environmental or food allergies
• Symptoms that return when medication is discontinued

Early evaluation can help interrupt the cycle of inflammation, infection, and self-trauma before it causes greater discomfort or more extensive disease.

Conditions We Diagnose and Treat

Veterinary dermatology includes much more than seasonal allergies. OVRS evaluates and treats a wide range of conditions affecting the skin, coat, ears, paws, and nails. These can include environmental, food, flea, and other alleriges; bacterial and fungal skin infections; yeast overgrowth; ear issues; skin diseases; hair loss and skin changes/diseases; chronic paw inflammation; skin tumors and abnormal growths, and unexplained itching or hair loss.

Because several conditions may exist together, successfully treating an infection does not always resolve the underlying problem. Our goal is to determine why the condition developed or keeps returning.

What to Expect From a Dermatology Consultation

Before your pet’s appointment, you will be asked to provide a detailed medical history, including previous diagnoses, treatments, medications, diets, and your pet’s response to therapy.

During the consultation, the dermatology team will:

• Review your pet’s medical and treatment history
• Ask when the symptoms began and whether they vary by season
• Perform a thorough examination of the skin, coat, paws, nails, and ears
• Discuss your pet’s diet, environment, parasite prevention, and daily routine
• Recommend appropriate diagnostic testing
• Explain possible causes and treatment options
• Develop an individualized plan for your pet

Dermatologic conditions often require detective work. Details about when symptoms occur, how they change, and which treatments have or have not helped can provide valuable clues.

Advanced Dermatology and Allergy Diagnostics

Recommended tests depend on your pet’s symptoms and medical history. Diagnostic options available through OVRS may include:

• Skin or ear cytology
• Skin scrapings
• Fungal or bacterial testing
• Skin biopsy
• Intradermal allergy testing
• Serum allergy testing
• Video otoscopy
• Advanced imaging, including CT when indicated
• Elimination diet trials
• Testing for hormonal or systemic disease

Allergy testing generally identifies environmental allergens for allergen-specific immunotherapy after diagnosing atopic dermatitis. It is not, by itself, a screening test that determines whether a pet has allergies.

Food allergies are best evaluated with a carefully controlled elimination diet followed by a dietary challenge. Blood, saliva, and hair tests are not considered dependable methods for diagnosing food allergies in pets.

Personalized Treatment for Lasting Relief

Treatment is based on your pet’s diagnosis, symptoms, overall health, and the needs of your household. A plan may include:

• Medications to control itching and inflammation
• Antibiotic or antifungal treatment for infection
• Medicated shampoos, rinses, sprays, or other topical therapies
• Flea and parasite control
• Dietary changes or a prescription elimination diet
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy
• Ear medication and home-cleaning protocols
• Video-assisted ear flushing
• Removal of ear polyps when appropriate
• Treatment of an underlying hormonal or immune-mediated condition
• Environmental and home-care recommendations

Some skin and ear diseases can be cured. Others, particularly environmental allergies, are chronic conditions that must be managed over time. In those cases, the goal is to reduce itching, prevent infections and flare-ups, and help your pet remain as comfortable as possible with the least intensive effective treatment.

Education Is an Important Part of Treatment

Much of dermatology care takes place at home. Clear instructions and realistic expectations can make an enormous difference in a pet’s comfort and long-term progress.

Follow-up appointments allow the team to assess your pet’s response, review test results, adjust medication, and simplify the treatment plan whenever possible.

Partnering With Your Family Veterinarian

Specialty dermatology works best as a partnership among your family, your primary care veterinarian, and the OVRS team.

We communicate our findings and recommendations to your veterinarian so everyone involved understands the diagnosis and treatment plan. Depending on your pet’s needs, OVRS and your family veterinarian may share follow-up testing and ongoing care.

This coordinated approach provides specialized expertise while preserving the trusted relationship you already have with your veterinary team.

Preparing for Your Pet’s Appointment

Before your consultation:

• Complete the dermatology medical history and medication forms (links below).
• Send or bring relevant medical records and laboratory results.
• Prepare a list of all medications, supplements, shampoos, ear products, and preventives.
• Bring information about your pet’s current and previous diets, including treats and flavored medications.
• Note when symptoms began and whether they appear seasonally.
• Bring photos showing earlier flare-ups if your pet’s condition changes over time.
• Ask the dermatology team before bathing your pet or cleaning the ears immediately before the visit, as doing so could affect some diagnostic findings.

Do not discontinue prescribed medications unless your veterinarian or the OVRS team instructs you to do so.

Help Your Pet Feel Comfortable Again

Persistent itching and ear disease affect more than the skin. They can disrupt sleep, change behavior, interfere with play, and reduce a pet’s overall quality of life.

With specialized evaluation, an accurate diagnosis, and an individualized management plan, many pets can experience significant relief—even after months or years of recurring symptoms.

Ask your family veterinarian whether a dermatology consultation may be appropriate, or request an appointment with OVRS.

Important Forms and Resources:

Before Your Appointment

Dermatology: Medical History Form

Dermatology: Medical History Form (PDF)

Dermatology Medication Form

Dermatology Medication Form (PDF)

Consent to Treat Form Consent to Treat Form (PDF)

Additional Information

Dermatology and Allergy Pamphlet

Ear Disease Pamphlet

Prescription and Food Refills