Research shows that more than 20% of all small animal consultations in general practice involve dermatological problems.¹ This means that for one day of every week a veterinary professional needs to become a dermatologist. Many of these cases will feature infections with micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi.

Dermatology has a singular benefit over many other veterinary disciplines in that the gross pathology of the affected organ is readily visible and available for examination.

Common diseases in the field of small animal dermatology include otitis externa, seborrhoeic dermatitis and surface pyoderma.

1 = Hill, P.B. et al. Veterinary Record (2006); 158: 533-539