WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AWARENESS WEEK
18TH – 24TH NOVEMBER 2024
Dermatology, encompassing skin, ear, claw and anal sac disease, represents a major element of the small animal general practice case load. It can be a challenging aspect of clinical companion animal work. Recurrent skin irritation is especially frustrating and upsetting for the pet, the owner and veterinary surgeon concerned. Repeated visits to veterinary surgeons can become costly and time-consuming for chronic cases.
I have seen dermatology cases for over one hundred separate clinics in the South-East of England (not including branch surgeries within group practices) – some centres have referred over three hundred cases to me over the years.
I offer extended consultation periods, often sixty to ninety minutes duration, to encompass a complete discussion of the patient’s dermatological and general clinical history, including the response to previous treatments. I will perform various diagnostic tests and explain the possible diagnoses. I will schedule future diagnostic tests, establish a long term treatment regimen and tailor advice for each individual patient.
I plan to use medications that have been proven to give good clinical performance, are well-tolerated by the pet as well as the owner, without controversial ingredients. At the same time, I will try to limit the practical difficulties with the protocol of use, a convenient formulation, & practical packaging. I will often recommend topical products that are a pleasure to use considering their sensory characteristics, application & fragrance. I will try to avoid products with rebound effects. Better compliance will be established by selecting medications with all of these characteristics – ease of use, tolerance & performance – in mind. This in turn will benefit the pet by controlling their condition better.
It is not uncommon that we need to look at establishing a lifelong regimen & it is my goal to put this plan in your hands by giving you the ability to start, continue & maintain various treatment strategies that you can adjust at home, throughout the subsequent months & years to come. This should reduce the number of times you will need to attend your own Vet & this will ultimately reduce your costs & stress. This will also improve both you & your pet’s quality of life & re-invigorate the close family bond between you.
A detailed report will be sent promptly to the referring veterinary surgeon after each consultation. Case progression will be monitored during re-examination & through e-mail & telephone follow-up.
There are continuous advances in veterinary dermatology including improved understanding of underlying disease processes, recognition of new diseases, advanced diagnostic techniques and innovative treatments. I endeavour to keep up-to-date with the ever-changing and expanding field of dermatology around the world, in order to better manage and/or alleviate acute and chronic skin disease in our pet population.
*I am the only independent, full-time veterinary dermatologist working solely within the South-East. I have complete clinical freedom from any corporate practice prescribing constraints.
My diagnostic, treatment & management planning will be pro-active.
Whenever possible, I will rely on a scientific, evidence-based approach to your pet’s condition.
My service will be tailored for each individual pet & their breed.
I will carefully explain my diagnostic approach & list of possible diagnoses as well as the proposed management & treatment plan.
The Skin Vet is fully independent & not subject to corporate prescribing constraints.
Repeated visits to veterinary surgeons become costly & time-consuming for chronic cases, my input could dramatically reduce the frequency of these consultations.