Dermatology & Allergy Testing Services for Pets
Pets can suffer from a wide variety of skin problems, many of which can appear to have very similar symptoms. It’s important to bring your pet to your veterinarian whenever you notice discomfort so that he or she can accurately diagnose the cause of the problem and suggest solutions to make your pet more comfortable.
Skin disorders may be the result of an infectious or non-infectious disease, parasitic infestation, or allergic reaction. At Androscoggin Animal Hospital, we are able to manage many different skin ailments, but also work with local area dermatology specialists for cases that require more complex diagnosis and treatment.
Some of the most common dermatological problems we see include:
- Flea allergy
- Food allergy
- Environmental allergy
- Bacterial diseases
- Parasitic skin diseases
- Skin cancer
- Skin diseases of the foot or nail
- Seborrhea and acne
- Hair loss
- Auto-immune skin diseases
- Drug reactions
When a pet is experiencing a skin disorder, we have numerous veterinary diagnostic tools at our disposal. These range from fungal cultures, which are used to diagnose conditions like ringworm, to impression smears for identifying bacteria or yeast on the skin. We also perform skin scrapings, biopsies, and blood work when needed.
Once the underlying cause of your pet’s skin condition has been diagnosed, our veterinarians will work closely with you to determine the best course of treatment. If your pet is experiencing a minor skin disorder, our veterinarians will often recommend topical treatments to help him or her heal. In some cases, oral pet medications will be prescribed. Depending on your pet’s diagnosis, we may also provide you with nutritional recommendations for your pet.
If you notice your pet is scratching more than usual, or if you see hair loss in a particular area, please contact us right away so that a veterinarian can diagnose and treat your pet. No one likes itchy skin, including your pet!