The Derm Vet Podcast

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! I have had quite a few cool video otoscopy procedures lately. With cool procedures, come the ability to share these videos and images online. With that, comes lots of questions from you! When should I refer for video otoscopy? What is the purpose of video otoscopy? When should I choose video otoscopy over everyday handheld otoscopy? We br...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Recurrent infections can be so difficult in our allergic patients. Learn how to minimize severity of frequency of pyoderma on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast! 1. Work up the underlying allergies 2. Support the skin barrier 3. Adjust topical therapy accordingly 4. Recognize historical patterns 5. Refer to a dermatologist e...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Periocular dermatitis can occur for a multitude of reasons. The first step is to figure out if the eye itself is involved or not. Once we know the eye is healthy, it is time to figure out why the SKIN AROUND the eye is losing hair, crusty, itchy, etc. It is important to return to the basic diagnostics. Cytology can be sampled with tape (i...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! I asked a few of my vet friends what "derm gifts" they received in 2025. I loved their answers and wanted to share them on our final episode of the podcast this year! 1. More confidence in cytology 2. Comfort in using new tools and innovations 3. Improving client communication and utilization of staff 4. Treating dermatology lik...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! It is very common for clients to present their pet to the veterinarian complaining that an allergy medication that used to work is no longer effective. Before changing therapies, it is important to consider four different things. 1. Rule out simple mistakes like missed flea prevention, diet change, etc. 2. Identify infection 3. Progressio...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Zinc responsive dermatitis is a skin condition in dogs resulting from a zinc deficiency or an inability to properly absorb the mineral. It is a rare condition that typically presents as scaling, crusting, and hair loss around the head (especially muzzle and periocular region) and pressure points. The most common form is syndrome I which i...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Solar dermatitis (actinic keratosis) is skin damage from prolonged UV exposure, affecting both dogs and cats, particularly those with light-colored or thin coats. So, pets that have white fur and live in high UV exposure areas (like the southern US) are predisposed. Symptoms include redness, scaling, hair loss, and thickened, crusty skin....

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I like to reflect on the things I am thankful for in the world of veterinary dermatology and life. Check out the products and people I am thankful for on this celebratory 300th episode of The Derm Vet podcast! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 1:53 New Product Launches 4:30 Dr. Bourgeois’s Experiences 5:30 Dr. Bourgeoi...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! For how common we see pyoderma in cats and dogs in veterinary practice, the appearance can be variable. A cutaneous bacterial infection can appear as crusting, erythema, scaling, moth-eaten alopecia, epidermal collarette, etc.  Differentials can also be varied. Pyoderma can mimic dermatophytosis, demodicosis, pemphigus foliaceus, epitheli...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! As dermatologists, we LOVE topical therapy. However there are some basic things that need to be considered when suggesting a protocol.  What are you treating? What is the ultimate goal? What do you or the owner have? Can it happen? Check out some simple tips on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast! 00:00 – Intro 01:15 – Q1: Wh...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Even as a specialist, I still get cases that surprise me or change appearances. It can leave me doubting what the next step is. But, if you take a breath, it is amazing what can happen when you figure them out. Check out three cases that recently threw me for a loop. 1. A dog with weird paw pad ulcers 2. A cat with an ulcerated nasal plan...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO returns to the podcast to discuss something other than allergies! There are so many non-allergic things that can occur with eyeballs (or the skin around the eyes) that may also include input from a dermatologist? What non-allergic cause can lead to periocular dermatitis? How do you start evaluation of blepharitis...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Back for round 2! Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO returns to talk us through periocular and ocular disease that can occur from allergies.  How common is it? Should it go to ophtho or derm? Can you consider topical antihistamines? Topical steroids? We dive into all of your questions related to allergic eyeballs on this week's episode of The...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! We have so many wonderful non-steroid options to manage itch and inflammation in veterinary dermatology. HOWEVER, there is still a time and place that steroids are necessary. It is important to not be afraid of steroids, but now when and how to use them appropriately. From stenotic ears to cost concerns, check out the situations where, ev...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Tom Lewis, DVM, DACVD is back on the podcast! Last year, Dr. Lewis joined the podcast last year to discuss the release of Zenrelia. One year later, he is back to discuss his experience with having this medication for a year and the relief it has provided for hundreds of his canine patients. Also, we discuss the recent change to the US box...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Otitis is a common thing for veterinarians to treat. Commonly associated with underlying allergies, we can see other things cause ear infection such as ear canal masses, endocrinopathies, etc.  When you are busy in the clinic, it can be hard to think about every aspect of ear canal disease. In an attempt to make things a bit easier, I put...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! As always, you bring the best questions for these grab bag episodes. Today, we cover dog autoimmune diseases (though cats find their way to make it in a bit).  How do you tell the difference between DLE and PF? What if an owner can't biopsy the case? How do you treat SLO? Sebaceous adenitis? Find the answers to these questions and mo...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is the use of supplemental oxygen in a chamber under increased pressure so the blood oxygen concentration increases which facilitates healing. There are not many veterinary practices that have HBOT for pets. However, we are lucky enough to have Trenton Ewing, DVM, DACVD back on the podcast to discuss HBOT since h...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! It can be scary to have a dog that goes through a life-threatening reaction to a honeybee sting. Often, these dogs are young and active. Though owners can take preventative measures, it is impossible to guarantee 100% avoidance of these venomous insects. So, what can be done? Trenton Ewing, DVM, DACVD joins the podcast this week to discus...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! It is back to school season! For this episode, I review the four things I have learned to implement as a dermatologist. Even as a specialist, I like to progress and grow into how I am practicing! We will go over how to use supplement and skin supportive diets, venomous insect testing, improving immunotherapy and proactive skin management....

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Skin damage and cutaneous wounds can be frustrating and difficult to manage. With a growing world of antibiotic resistance and difficult cases of skin repair, alternative solutions are needed. Zarasyl combines the natural power of silica to optimize the wound healing environment. The product helps to moisturize while being semi-occlusive...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! I love getting your questions and answering them on the podcast. This week is one of my favorite topics: cytology!  What tips do I have for direct impression smear vs. tape prep? How do I know the appropriate treatment based on quantity of infectious organisms? What is the difference between superficial pyoderma and deep pyoderma? Get you...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Back again! Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) rejoins the podcast to talk about cats! Do clinical signs differ from dogs with neuro disease? What about the dreaded feline hyperesthesia syndrome? Should advanced imaging be considered? Check out this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast to jump into the world of cat neuro/de...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! A neurologist visits the podcast this week! Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) has recently opened a state-of-the-art neurology focused specialty center called The Animal Neurology Center in St. Louis, MO! He joins the podcast to discuss the clinical signs that can overlap between neurology and dermatology. Whether a head tilt, ny...

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! You always deliver the best questions when I do grab bag episodes... this one was POPULAR! I got so many questions about different aspects of otitis. Flush, ear meds, cats, TECABO referral, and more! Check out my answers to your top otitis questions on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast! Intro 00:00 How To Tell If Otitis Is...