SERVICES AND TREATMENTS OFFERED
THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ENDOCRINE AND AUTO IMMUNE SKIN DISEASE.
The endocrine and immune-mediated causes of skin disease are seldom straightforward. Some of these conditions are very rare. Often the diagnosis is not clear cut, with blood test results and biopsy reports giving equivocal answers. This is frustrating to pet owners and to their veterinarians. It can be invaluable to have a dermatologist involved who has seen similar presentations and previously managed their diagnosis and treatment. This expertise and experience can save the client money in the long run.
THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC SKIN DISEASE, USING INTRADERMAL TESTING.
Animals whose clinical signs and history suggest atopy are offered intradermal testing using a panel of 50 different antigens. For animals with positive intradermal tests that have had other allergic and parasitic diseases ruled out with secondary infections controlled, we offer antigen-specific immunotherapy or ASIT (sometimes called desensitization). The antigens used in testing and immunotherapy are imported from Greer Laboratories in the US. Antigen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is now available as subcutaneous injections (”allergy shots” ) or in a sublingual or oral preparation (“allergy drops”). ASIT is commonly used overseas in the management of an atopic disease. It has a well-documented success rate, particularly in dogs. Nearly all the retrospective studies have shown a 75 % improvement rate, ranging from fully controlled to partially controlled. That means that 25% of the time, there is no improvement. Generally speaking, if there is no improvement after a year of treatment, ASIT is discontinued. In animals where ASIT successfully eliminates or improves the symptoms, the interval between injections is gradually increased until pruritus (itching) reoccurs. Some animals can discontinue ASIT after several years of treatment with no reoccurrence of symptoms. Other animals relapse if ASIT is discontinued.
OTITIS EXTERNA: NON SURGICAL TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING DIFFICULT PSEUDOMONAS CASES
Otitis externa (ear disease) is one presentations of skin disease, in part because it is one of the cardinal signs of allergic skin disease but also because ears offer an ideal environment for micro-organism growth. Many presentations of otitis externa are relatively easy to manage and treat. Others can be a nightmare for different reasons. The reason is mainly because it has something to do with the 4 p’s: perpetuating, predisposing, primary and secondary factors. Well, 3 p’s and an s. Duncan loves ear disease and relishes their challenge,, whether it is sorting a treatment regime for a resistant pseudomonas or establishing the primary cause for a recurrent otitis.
EMAIL REFERRAL
Not all dermatology cases can be referred because of ability to travel or financial considerations. Here at Animal Dermatology we can provide a management plan based on the clinical notes and any diagnostic tests that have been done. We can also suggest further tests, differential diagnoses and treatment options. In the case where a previous biopsy suggests an unusual disease, or disease that requires new or unique treatment protocols, once we have details, we can assist with treatment options, and if necessary, compound treatments.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
We can provide information on the latest treatment options for various dermatological conditions. We also carry in stock some rarely used medications that your own veterinarian may not carry. For example, we stock itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine to treat fungal infections. As mentioned above, we compound or have compounded by a dispensing pharmacy, a number of different medications, particularly with regard to ear treatment.