The Derm Vet Podcast

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and other brachycephalic breeds are frequent flyers in veterinary dermatology but successfully managing their skin disease often requires looking beyond the obvious itch. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down some of the most common dermatologic problems seen in brachycephalic dogs, including skin fold dermatitis (intertrigo), pododermatitis, secondary infections, and underlying food and environmental allergies. Learn why examining every facial, tail, and vulvar fold matters, how cytology can guide treatment, why topical therapy is so important for both treatment and long-term maintenance, and how to build an allergy workup that is realistic for both the patient and owner. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:52 Itch Inquiry: Feline Ear Flushing and Horner's Syndrome Risk 04:05 Fold Dermatitis and Key Fold Locations 07:14 Cytology and Topical Therapies for Skin Fold Infections 09:58 Pododermatitis 12:48 Allergic Workups and Long-Term Inflammatory Options 16:15 Overview and Final Takeaways 18:03 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In veterinary dermatology, the right diagnosis often starts before the physical exam... it starts with the history! In this episode of The Derm Vet, I break down how a thorough dermatologic history can help veterinary professionals build stronger differential lists, choose more targeted diagnostics, and develop more effective treatment plans. Whether you're working through a new pruritic patient or reevaluating a case that isn't responding as expected, this episode highlights the historical clues you don't want to overlook! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:24 The Value of History Taking in Veterinary Dermatology 03:52 Itch Inquiry: Cyclosporine Use in Allergic Disease 06:00 Building Differentials, Diagnostic Plans, and Treatments 08:30 Core History Basics: Signalment, Seasonality, and Travel 12:15 Age of Onset Considerations 14:46 Analyzing Past Medication Responses 16:03 Identifying Systemic Signs and Underlying Internal Disease 17:59 Reevaluating History in Chronic Cases 20:05 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Crusty, irritated, or abnormal paw pads in cats can point to much more than a simple skin problem. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down the differential diagnoses behind feline crusty paw pads, including plasma cell pododermatitis, autoimmune disease, allergies, eosinophilic granulomas, contact dermatitis, infections, trauma, cutaneous horns, and even neoplasia. Plus, this week’s Itch Inquiry features a medication-averse German Shepherd and a discussion about the limitations of monoclonal antibody therapy! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:24 Itch Inquiry: Case Study of a Med-Averse German Shepherd 05:20 Limitations of Monoclonal Antibodies 07:00 Feline Crust Paw Pads 07:44 Plasma Cell Pododermatitis 10:58 Autoimmune Causes 12:22 Allergic Conditions, Eosinophilic Granulomas, and Contact Dermatitis 13:52 Infectious, Viral, Fungal, and Traumatic/Burn Causes 16:02 Cutaneous Horns, Neoplasia, Lung-Digit Syndrome, and Diagnostic Workup 19:02 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Crusty paw pads may seem like a straightforward dermatologic finding... but they can point to everything from simple hyperkeratosis to autoimmune, metabolic, infectious, and even systemic disease! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down my diagnostic approach to canine paw pad disease and the major differentials veterinarians should keep on their radar. I cover hyperkeratosis, pemphigus foliaceus, erythema multiforme, vasculitis, hepatocutaneous syndrome, zinc-responsive dermatosis, canine distemper, infections, trauma, and more. Plus, learn why lesion distribution, breed, systemic signs, and (most importantly) biopsy can be critical for reaching the right diagnosis! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:24 Itch Inquiry: Feline Inflammatory Ear Polyps 04:46 Canine Paw Pad Disease 05:17 Primary Hyperkeratosis & Weight-Bearing Patterns 07:31 Autoimmune Paw Pad Diseases 09:58 Metabolic Causes 12:47 Infectious, Traumatic, & Viral Causes 14:25 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Allergy cases are rarely straightforward... and explaining the diagnostic process to pet owners can be just as challenging as managing the itch. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down a practical approach to talking with clients about allergic skin disease in dogs and cats. From ectoparasites and food allergies to environmental allergies, learn how to organize the conversation so owners understand not only what you're recommending, but why it matters. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:24 Zoetis Ad 02:13 Itch Inquiry: Convincing Owners on Symptomatic Meds 06:08 Category 1: Ectoparasite Control 09:05 Category 2: Food Allergies & Diet Trials 11:13 Category 3: Environmental Allergies & Symptomatic Therapy 13:24 Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy 16:14 Tailoring Communication and Visual Aids 20:10 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Why do cats develop crusting, curling, inflammation, or unusual lesions on their ears? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I'm diving into feline pinnal diseases and the dermatologic conditions that can affect the feline ear. I cover why oral exams are an important part of evaluating itchy cats, reactions to topical steroids that can cause pinna curling, and key conditions including solar dermatitis, auricular chondritis, cystomatosis, pemphigus foliaceus, and proliferative necrotizing otitis externa! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:24 Feline Pinnal Diseases 01:37 Itch Inquiry: Why Perform Oral Exams on Cats 03:45 Topical Steroid Reactions & Pinna Curling 04:55 Solar Dermatitis 06:53 Auricular Chondritis 08:23 Cystomatosis 10:44 Pemphigus Foliaceus 12:36 Proliferative Necrotizing Otitis Externa

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I answer a listener question about off-label JAK inhibitor dosing before taking a deep dive into common canine pinnal (ear flap) diseases. Learn how to recognize and manage canine scabies, pinnal vasculitis, pemphigus foliaceus, ear margin seborrhea, zinc-responsive dermatosis, and thrombovascular necrosis. Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or student, this episode delivers practical dermatology insights you can use in practice! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:54 Itch Inquiry: Off-Label JAK Inhibitor Dosing and Usage 05:32 Introduction to Canine Pinnal Diseases and Ear Anatomy 08:08 Canine Scabies 09:33 Pinnal Vasculitis Presentation and Management 11:22 Pemphigus Foliaceus 13:08 Ear Margin Seborrhea 14:27 Zinc Dermatitis 15:47 Thrombovascular Necrosis 16:45 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Dogs don't always scratch when they're itchy and that can make diagnosing allergic skin disease much more challenging! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down the subtle and commonly overlooked signs of itching in dogs, from scooting that isn't caused by anal glands to head shaking, excessive licking, perineal dermatitis, and secondary skin changes that can easily be missed during an exam. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:24 Zoetis 01:15 Itch Inquiry: Non-Anal Sac Causes of Scooting 03:25 How to Tell If a Dog is Itchy 06:03 Common Itching Behaviors 08:42 Overlooked Indicators 10:35 Perineal Dermatitis and Head Shaking 13:16 Identifying Secondary Skin Changes 15:39 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! How do feline dermatology cases differ from canine dermatology? In this episode, I answer a listener's question on treating yeast-only ear infections before breaking down three major clinical differences between cats and dogs... from ear flap lesions and claw fold inflammation to oral cavity and mucous membrane disease! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:20 Itch Inquiry: Treating Yeast-Only Ear Infections 05:51 Feline vs Canine Dermatologic Distributions 06:27 Difference 1: Pinna (Ear Flap) Lesions 08:27 Difference 2: Claw Fold Inflammation 11:00 Difference 3: Oral Cavity & Mucous Membrane Lesions 13:58 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Constant scratching, chewing, and ear infections aren't just annoying... they're your patient's way of telling you something's wrong! In this episode, I break down everything veterinary professionals need to know about managing allergic dogs, from spotting the first signs of trouble to building a long-term treatment plan that actually works. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:39 Itch Inquiry 02:55 Maintenance Therapy for Allergic Dogs 05:35 Nutrition 06:07 Ear Care 07:19 Client Education and Early Detection 09:34 Utilizing Our Pharmaceuticals 11:27 Identifying Allergy Triggers 13:09 Routine Rechecks 15:27 Summary 17:39 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Is allergen-specific immunotherapy the closest thing we have to changing the course of allergic disease in dogs? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I explore why immunotherapy remains the gold standard for long-term allergy management and how it differs from simply controlling itch. She explains how starting treatment early may help reduce the progression of allergic disease, what pet owners should realistically expect from immunotherapy, and why educating clients is critical to long-term success. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:39 Itch Inquiry: Distinguishing Autoimmune Disease from Neoplastic Disease 04:40 Immunotherapy 06:05 Proactively Halting the Progression of Allergic Disease 07:30 Natural Therapy 08:14 Instilling Trust in Your Client 09:28 Preparing for Future Health Uncertainties 13:06 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Learn how rostrolateral nasal alar arteriopathy is diagnosed, why it can be mistaken for other conditions, and the treatment options available to help improve quality of life. I also discusses setting realistic owner expectations and the importance of recognizing uncommon dermatologic diseases in veterinary medicine. Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or veterinary student, this episode provides practical clinical insights you can apply to future cases. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Fleischman DA, Mauldin EA, Lowe A, Cain CL, Bradley CW. Clinical and histopathological features of rostrolateral nasal alar arteriopathy of German shepherd dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2023;34:441–451. https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.13173 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:32 Itch Inquiry: Topicals for General Practice 06:20 German Shepherd with Chronic Nasal Bleeding 09:29 Diagnosis: Rostrolateral Nasal Alar Arteriopathy 12:02 Treatment Options & Owner Expectations 14:44 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Client communication can make or break even the best dermatology treatment plan... In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I answer a listener's question about improving cytology skills in veterinary practice before diving into one of the most valuable communication frameworks I've found for challenging client interactions: The 5 E's. Whether you're discussing chronic allergies, recurrent skin infections, or complex treatment plans, frustrated clients are inevitable. The key is knowing how to navigate those conversations with confidence! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:14 Itch Inquiry 03:10 The 5 E's in Dealing with Frustrated Clients 03:40 Empathize with the Client 05:47 Expectations 07:08 Expense 08:14 Effort 10:23 Encouragement 12:18 Summary/Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I tackle some of the most common (and challenging) questions surrounding the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of canine otitis externa. From maintenance therapy protocols and cleaning strategies to biofilm management, chronic stenosis, ear cultures, and the role of AI-powered cytology, I share practical insights you can apply in everyday practice. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:25 Itch Inquiry: For maintenance therapy, do you suggest using a combination product weekly as maintenance? 04:30 What is your favorite product as a cleanser when the patient has biofilm? 06:51 How do tackle chronic stenosis? 09:12 What is your favorite maintenance cleaning product? 10:31 When dogs have recurrent otitis, how often do you suggest maintenance cleaning? 12:37 What do you think of the various AI cytology machines? 14:27 What is the usefulness of an ear culture for otitis externa? 16:15 What do you consider for broad spectrum treatment for otitis? 17:40 Besides ear flushing, what other treatments do you use for maintenance? 18:18 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Can cats safely take Apoquel or Zenrelia? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the use of JAK inhibitors in feline dermatology, exploring the science behind atopic disease, practical treatment considerations, and the realities of off-label medication use in cats. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:31 Itch Inquiry: Atopic Dogs and the pathophysiology 04:22 JAK Inhibitors and Cats 05:58 Using Apoquel with a Cat 08:58 Using Zenrelia with a Cat 10:53 Dosing These Medications in Cats 12:35 Lab Work Monitoring the Cats 14:02 The Risk 14:25 The Duration 15:40 Discussion of Off Label Use with Owners 16:58 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Skin barrier is having a moment... and for good reason. In this episode, I break down why restoring the skin barrier is a non-negotiable piece of the multimodal approach to managing atopic dermatitis in dogs and cats, and more importantly, how to actually do it when your clients can't keep up with a bathing schedule. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:45 Itch Inquiry: Recurrent Yeast Otitis 01:37 Antifungal Resistance in Malassezia 03:54 Underlying Allergies and Immunotherapy 06:29 Paronychia 07:19 Toothpick vs. Tape Methods 09:30 Treatment for Yeast 15:35 Summary/Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! A new JAK inhibitor has officially entered the veterinary market but where does it fit into managing allergic dogs? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I sit down with boarded veterinary dermatologist Dr. Christine McKinney from Merck Animal Health to discuss Numelvi, the newest JAK inhibitor approved in the United States for canine allergic dermatitis. We break down what makes this medication unique, how it compares to other allergy therapies, and why having multiple treatment options matters when managing complicated allergic patients. We also dive into practical approaches for itch control, infection management, and building confidence when treating chronic allergy cases in practice. If you manage itchy dogs regularly and want to stay up to date on the latest dermatology treatments, this episode is packed with valuable clinical insights. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps and references: 7:26: At the recommended treatment dose, Numelvi is at least 10X more selective for JAK1 over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays. Reference: Kowalski T, Schuette S. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK1. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179. 8:03: At the recommended treatment dose, Numelvi is at least 10X more selective for JAK1 over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays. Reference: Kowalski T, Schuette S. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK1. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179. 8:07: JAK1 is the primary driver of itch and inflammation. Reference: Huang I, Chung W, Wu P, Chen C. JAK-STAT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis: an updated review. Front Immunol. 2022;13:1068260 10:36: At the recommended treatment dose, Numelvi is at least 10X more selective for JAK1 over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays. Reference: Kowalski T, Schuette S. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK1. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179. 21:52: Numelvi, starts reducing itch within 2-4 hours in a canine interleukin-31 (cIL-31)-induced pruritus model Reference: Kowalski T, Prohaczik A, Locke K, Samson C, Hope K. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib significantly reduces pruritus 2-4 hours after dosing dogs in a canine interleukin-31 model. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179-180. 23:13: Numelvi, starts reducing itch within 2-4 hours in a canine interleukin-31 (cIL-31)-induced pruritus model Reference: Kowalski T, Prohaczik A, Locke K, Samson C, Hope K. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib significantly reduces pruritus 2-4 hours after dosing dogs in a canine interleukin-31 model. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179-180. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:29 The Complexity of Canine Allergic Dermatitis 06:44 What is Numelvi and How Does it Work? 13:50 Dosing Guidelines and Tablet Specifications 16:57 Candidate Selection and Infection Control 21:37 Onset of Action and Efficacy Timeline 24:08 Final Thoughts This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Skin barrier therapy has become one of the hottest topics in veterinary dermatology but with so many sprays, spot-ons, mousses, collars, and topical products available, it can be difficult to know what actually works and when to use them. In this week’s episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, we dive into the concept of skin barrier support and why managing allergic skin disease goes far beyond simply treating itch. I break down different categories of topical therapies, including AtopiVet products, spot-on formulations, mousse therapies, and skin care collars, while discussing how these products can fit into a multimodal dermatology plan. Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:40 The Itch Inquiry: Skin Barrier and Beyond Topicals 04:48 AtopiVet Products 08:04 Spot-On Products 09:23 Mousse Products 10:19 Skin Care Collar 12:44 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I dive into the diagnostic approach and long-term management of sterile nodular panniculitis in veterinary patients. We discuss everything from sampling claw folds and interpreting flaky cytology samples to biopsy techniques, infectious disease rule-outs, and when to consider JAK inhibitors as part of a treatment plan. If you’ve ever struggled with diagnosing challenging nodular cases or navigating long-term management decisions, this episode is packed with practical clinical insights you can apply in practice. Did you know you can submit a question or voicemail to the show by using the link at the top of the show notes? Send me any and all questions to be featured on an episode! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:14 Itch Inquiry: Sampling Claw Folds and Flaky Samples 06:00 Identifying Sterile Nodular Panniculitis 08:54 Diagnostic Approaches and Biopsy Techniques 09:56 Ruling Out Infectious Causes 12:53 Use of JAK Inhibitors 16:19 Long-term Management 19:49 Outro

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I tackle one of the most important — and often most challenging — conversations in veterinary dermatology: the diet trial discussion. We break down common client concerns, why compliance can be difficult, and how veterinarians can better communicate the value of diet trials in diagnosing food allergy cases. Did you know you can submit a question or voicemail to the show by using the link at the top of the show notes? Send me any and all questions to be featured on an episode! Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932 Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:04 Itch Inquiry 07:20 The Diet Trial Conversation 09:45 Tip #1: Explain the "Why" 11:06 Tip #2: Treat it as a Diagnostic Test 14:26 Tip #3: Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain 15:37 Tip #4: Challenging the Diet to Get Answers 18:54 Summary 20:38 Outro