Q: WHAT QUALIFIES A VETERINARIAN TO BE A DERMATOLOGIST FOR ANIMALS?

A: Qualifications of a veterinary dermatologist include:

• A four-year Bachelor of Science degree in biology, life science, animal science, or related fields.
• Four years of veterinary medical school resulting in the degree Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD).
• A minimum of 1 year of internship, either in private practice or at a University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, perfecting skills in small animal surgery and medicine.
• Two to three years of residency in Dermatology. Most residencies are conducted at University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals. Skin diseases of all species of animals are studied, including dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, small exotic mammals, zoo animals, birds, reptiles, and even some human diseases.

Q: WHAT IS BOARD CERTIFICATION?

A: In order to become a "Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology" (i.e. become board certified), the doctor must:

1. See a specified number and variety of cases during his/her residency.
2. Perform a research project in an area of skin or ear disease that advances knowledge in the field.
3. Have the results of the research published in a refereed medical or veterinary medical journal.
4. Complete a series of written presentations which are reviewed by a committee of board certified dermatologists.
5. Pass a rigorous series of exams in order to prove competency in all areas of veterinary dermatology.

Q: WHAT TYPES OF DISEASES ARE TREATED BY VETERINARY DERMATOLOGISTS/ALLERGISTS?

A: Allergies: Most of the allergic disease that occurs in dogs and cats affects the skin. Cats also commonly experience allergy of the respiratory tract (asthma), but these cases are usually treated by internal medicine specialists. Horses express allergy through both the skin and respiratory tract, in about equal proportions. The more common types of allergy affecting the skin include: reactions to food items, air-bome substances (pollens, molds, dust mites), and the bites of insects (fleas, mosquitoes, gnats). The dermatologist can also provide help to the respiratory allergy patient by offering allergy testing services, which few internal medicine specialists are set up to provide.

Parasites: There are many diseases of the skin caused by parasites which may include fleas, ticks, mange mites (demodex and scabies), ear mites, biting flies and mosquitoes.

Infectious diseases: These include a wide range of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoal diseases. Some of the most common are staph, bacterial infections in dogs and "ringworm" (a fungal infection) in cats.

Chronic or recurrent ear canal infections: There are many causes of recurrent ear canal infections, which are most common in dogs (less frequent in cats). This group of problems falls under the expertise of the dermatologist, which is different from the situation in human medicine. Successful treatment of long-standing ear canal disease sometimes requires surgical intervention, in which case patients are referred to a soft-tissue surgeon.

Disease of the feet, footpads, and nails: Again, there are a wide variety of causes, including allergy, parasites, tumors, autoimmune disease, etc.

Autoimmune diseases: These are diseases in which the body's own immune system attacks the skin as if it were suddenly recognized as foreign. Disease included in this group include lupus, pemphigus, uveodermatitis syndrome, and epidermolysis bullosa.

Endocrine (hormonal) and internal diseases: There are many internal problems that can cause skin diseases, including diseases of the liver, pancreas, hormone-producing glands, and gastrointestinal tract. The dermatologist may work in concert with the internal medicine specialist to treat some of these conditions.

Skin cancer: Some forms of skin cancer are treated by dermatologists, while others are treated by oncologists (cancer specialists). Consultation between these specialty services is possible once a diagnosis has been made.