Services
What We Treat
At Coastal Veterinary Dermatology & Ear Clinic, we offer advanced diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of skin and ear conditions in dogs and cats. While environmental allergies are among the most common concerns we manage, our expertise covers much more.
Ear Infections
Ear infections can lead to serious, long-term complications if not treated swiftly and appropriately. This includes progression of the infection to the middle ear, loss of hearing, and end-stage ear disease. These can be prevented with timely, appropriate therapy in most cases.
Skin Infections
Veterinary medicine has seen a sharp increase in the number of methicillin-resistant bacterial skin infections. A culture and sensitivty may help in determining which antibiotic would be beneficial, along with aggressive topical therapy.
Autoimmune & Complex Skin Conditions
There are a multitude of skin conditions that may be of autoimmune or neoplastic origin. It is important for the comfort and wellbeing of the patient that a diagnosis be achieved accurately and swiftly so that proper treatment may begin as soon as possible.
Allergic Disease in Animals
Itching, biting, licking, or recurring infections can all signal an underlying allergy. In fact, 1 in 5 dogs in the U.S. has an allergic condition. At Coastal Vet Derm, we offer:
- Comprehensive allergy evaluations
- Intradermal allergy testing (the “gold standard”)
- Customized immunotherapy plans
We treat the full allergy picture—including skin, ear, and secondary infections—so your pet can finally find relief.
Why Is My Pet So Itchy?
Allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to otherwise harmless substances like:
- Dust
- Dietary proteins
- Insects
- Pollen
- Dander
- Molds
In many cases, allergens are absorbed through the skin (transdermal absorption), triggering a chemical chain reaction that causes itching. That itching leads to trauma… which leads to more allergens entering the skin—a frustrating, self-perpetuating cycle.
How Can I Help My Allergic Pet?
Allergy management starts with avoiding known triggers, which can be difficult when the culprits are environmental. Here’s how we approach it:
- Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD): Strict flea control protocols
- Food allergies: Diet trials with novel proteins
- Contact allergies: Removal of known irritants
- Environmental allergies: Oral therapies or allergen-specific immunotherapy for long-term control
Every treatment plan is tailored—we’ll work with you to choose solutions that fit your pet’s needs and your lifestyle.