298. Four things to consider for topical therapy

Send me a question or story!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, epitheliotropic lymphoma, etc. Check out this week's episode The Derm Vet podcast! Also, I highly encourage you to check out the YouTube channel to see some clinical images.00:00 – Intro01:20 – Moth-Eaten Alopecia03:18 – Diffuse Alopecia04:21 – Erythema05:27 – Scaling06:40 – Epidermal Collarettes07:57 – Crusting11:15 – Urticaria-like Lesions13:58 – Outro

Send me a question or story!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 – Intro01:15 – Q1: Why Are You Using Topical Therapy?04:41 – Q2: What is the Goal of the Product?05:58 – Q3: What Do You Have Available?08:45 – Q4: Can the Owner Do It?11:34 – Overview12:44 – Outro

Send me a question or story!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 ulcers2. A cat with an ulcerated nasal planum3. A service dog with non-pruritic alopecia and scalingHint: If you check out the YouTube channel, there are a lot of clinical photos!00:00  Intro02:14  Case Number 1: Veni08:02  Case Number 2: Gadget14:42  Case Number 3: Bruno19:19  Outro

Send me a question or story!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 or chemosis?We dig even deeper into eyes this week on The Derm Vet podcast!00:01 – Intro01:21 – What is the most common reason for periocular alopecia03:48 – What topical antibiotic can you safely use around the eye08:02 – Basic guidance on blepharitis12:09 – When should general practitioners consult ophthalmologists15:07 – Breeds with a strong overlap in skin and eye conditions18:01 – Outro

Send me a question or story!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 Derm Vet podcast!00:00 Intro02:46 How often are you referred patients with underlying allergy issues?05:10 Managing chronic KCS associated with atopic dermatitis10:55 Topical antihistamines or steroids to manage allergic pruritus towards the eyes?18:00 Are oral antihistamines helpful for allergic conjunctivitis?21:52 JAK inhibitors, cyclosporine and steroids vs. conjunctivitis / pruritus24:40 How atopic dermatitis affects the eyes27:29 Outro

Send me a question or story!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, even as a boarded dermatologist, I lean on steroids on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!00:00 Intro01:00 Taking away guilt for steroid use02:04 Scenarios where steroid use is considered03:07 Severe Inflammation05:05 While waiting for a slower medication to work07:27 Stenotic Ears9:11 Management of autoimmune diseases11:14 Cost Concerns13:10 Sometimes nothing else works14:56 Summary/Outro

Send me a question or story!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 boxed label warning which removed the vaccine induced disease portion of the label.Learn more on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!Studies mentioned in podcast: Recent study regarding vaccine booster response in dogs receiving Zenrelia: Fent, G.M., Jacela, J., Plazola-Ortiz, R. et al. Immunologic response to first booster vaccination in dogs treated with zenrelia™ (ilunocitinib tablets) at up to three times the recommended therapeutic dose compared to untreated controls. BMC Vet Res 21, 481 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04929-zRecent study regarding safety of Zenrelia: S. Forster, C. M. Trout, S. Despa, A. Boegel, D. Berger, and S. King, “ Efficacy and Field Safety of Ilunocitinib for the Control of Allergic Dermatitis in Client-Owned Dogs: A Multicenter, Double-Masked, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial,” Veterinary Dermatology (2025): 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.70009.Timestamps00:00 Intro02:46 Zenrelia box label warning change08:14 What does the box label warning change mean and why it's only in the US?12:10 Looking at every patient as an individual17:00 How comfortable do you feel using Zenrelia long-term?22:14 Outro

Send me a question or story!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 together the top 5 mistakes I recognize in management of otitis cases. Let me preface with the fact that I have also made these mistakes in the past! Learn more on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!00:00 Intro01:49 Mistake #1: Not performing ear cytology05:18 Not implementing appropriate ear flushing protocol07:46 Fail to control inflammation09:45 Don’t recheck progress12:14 Not identifying the underlying issue14:49 Recap / Final Thoughts16:27 Outro

Send me a question or story!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 more on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!00:00 Intro01:30 SLO & sabaceous adenitis09:40 Steroids and Autoimmune diseases12:23 What to do when owners can’t biopsy the case15:12 Pemphigus foliaceus in Dogs16:05 Pemphigus foliaceus in Cats17:07 Autoimmune Disease vs Allergies18:31 Differentiating between DLE and Pemphigus Exfoliation in dogs21:48 Outro

Send me a question or story!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 his practice (Animal Dermatology Clinic in Pasadena, CA) has had HBOT available for years!Learn what diseases he has used this therapy to treat, what a typical HBOT "dive" looks like and how this therapy works! Not only can you check out our conversation on traditional podcast apps, but check out the YouTube channel which includes pictures and videos!00:00 Intro01:12 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy with Trenton Edwards02:34 What is an HBOT?04:36 Common cases referred to HBOT07:15 Typical HBOT Dive Protocol09:00 Issues doing it long-term?12:15 How stressful is it be for pets?14:12 Training for HBOT16:28 Contraindications19:56 How available is HBOT?23:12 Downsides24:00 Final Thoughts/Outro