Dermatology, endocrinology

Canine and feline dermatology is an important area of veterinary medicine that involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, fur, nails, and ears. The solution of these problems is essential to maintaining healthy skin and overall well-being for your pet. Dermatological problems can range from allergies to infections to endocrinological disorders and require specialist assistance.

Main dermatological procedures:

        1.      Skin and fur examination:
        •       a Veterinary Dermatologist examines your pet’s skin, fur, nails, and ears carefully to identify visible problems such as redness, wounds, bald spots, or thickening of the skin.
        2.      Skin sampling (biopsy):
        •       in case of suspicions of more serious skin problems (for instance, tumours, autoimmune diseases), the Veterinarian may take a small skin sample for laboratory testing.
        3.      Fur and skin parasite testing:
        •       the Veterinarian may take samples of fur, skin, or ears to identify such parasites as fleas, ticks, or fungi that can cause dermatological problems.
        4.      Allergy tests:
        •       in case of suspicion that your pet’s skin problems are due to allergies, blood tests or skin prick tests may be performed to identify the specific causes of the allergy (for instance, food products, environmental allergens).
        5.      Cytological examination:
        •       microscopic examination of skin cells can help identify infections, inflammation, or other pathological changes causing skin problems.
        6.      Culture and sensitivity examinations:
        •        bacterial or fungal culture sampling from the skin or ears helps identify the causative agents of infections and select appropriate antibiotics or antifungal medications for treatment.
        7.      Treatment planning and therapy monitoring:
        •       a Dermatologist may prescribe medications (antibiotics, antifungal preparations, anti-inflammatory medications), special shampoos, diet, or other treatments, as well as monitor the progress and effectiveness of treatment.

Situations when you have to consult a Veterinary Dermatologist:

        1.      Skin rashes or redness:
        •       if you notice the skin of your pet is red, flaky, or covered in rashes, this may be a sign of an allergy, infection, or other skin condition that requires a dermatologist’s consultation.
        2.      Itching and intense scratching:
        •       if your pet is constantly scratching, licking, or chewing their skin, fur, or nails, this could indicate a parasitic infection, allergy, or dermatitis.
        3.      Hair loss (alopecia):
        •       if you notice your pet losing hair in certain areas of body, this could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, fungal infection, or skin condition that requires evaluation by a Dermatologist.
        4.      Ear problems:
        •       if a pet shakes head, scratches ears, or they have an unpleasant odour or discharge, this may indicate an ear infection or inflammation that is often associated with skin problems.
        5.      Skin wounds or ulcers:
        •       regardless of whether the wounds are due to injury or other causes, skin ulcers or wounds that do not heal for a long time require evaluation by a Dermatologist.
        6.      Changes in coat and skin colour:
        •       if you notice a changed colour of a pet’s skin, it becomes darker or lighter, this may indicate a more serious dermatological problem.
        7.      Scales, dandruff, or discharge covering the skin:
        •       these symptoms may indicate fungal infections, seborrhoea, or other skin disorders that must be evaluated by a specialist.
 

Endocrinology is an important area of veterinary medicine related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of hormones and endocrine glands. These problems can affect various functions of your pet's body, so their solution is essential to keep your pet healthy and energetic. Endocrinological diseases are associated with a variety of disorders – from diabetes to thyroid dysfunction – and often require the help of a specialized Veterinarian.

Main endocrinological procedures:

1. Initial examination and anamnesis

• The Veterinarian assesses the pet’s condition, examines the general anamnesis, observed symptoms, and determines the need for further testing to determine possible hormonal imbalances.

2. Blood tests to determine hormone levels

• Blood tests can show the activity of the endocrine system and help diagnose such conditions as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, or Cushing’s syndrome. These tests are important for accurate identification of hormonal imbalances.

3. Glucose tolerance and insulin tests

• If diabetes mellitus is suspected, special tests may be performed to assess glucose and insulin levels to determine if the pet is metabolizing sugar properly.

4. Thyroid and adrenal gland ultrasound examination

• An ultrasound examination can help assess the size and structure of the thyroid or adrenal glands to determine whether these organs are affected by tumours or other abnormalities.

5. Urine tests

• Urine tests help assess a pet’s kidney function. It is important for diagnosing and monitoring the progress of treatment for such endocrine diseases as Cushing’s syndrome or diabetes mellitus.

6. Treatment planning for endocrine diseases

• Having confirmed diagnosis, a Veterinarian may prescribe hormone therapy, a special diet, or other medications to help control the hormonal imbalance and improve your pet's well-being.

7. Long-term monitoring and regular controls

• A Veterinary Specialist monitors the effectiveness of the treatment and regularly checks hormone levels by adapting the treatment to the pet’s health condition to ensure long-term health stability.

Situations when you have to consult a Veterinary Endocrinologist:

1. Weight changes without a clear reason

• If your pet loses weight or gains it too quickly, it may be a sign of hormonal imbalances that require a specialist evaluation.

2. Constant thirst and frequent urination

• If a pet drinks water and urinates frequently, this could be a symptom of diabetes or Cushing's syndrome and must be examined by a Veterinarian.

3. Lethargy and fatigue

• If a pet seems tired, sluggish, and lacks energy, this could be a sign of a thyroid disorder (for instance, hypothyroidism) that requires attention of a Veterinarian.

4. Increased appetite and simultaneous weight loss

• A sudden and unexplained increase in appetite accompanied by weight loss may indicate hyperthyroidism or other hormonal disorders, especially for cats.

5. Hair loss or coat changes

• If a pet's coat becomes weak, sheds, or you notice skin changes, this could be a sign of such hormonal problems as Cushing’s syndrome that requires evaluation by an Endocrinologist.

6. Frequent cases of infection

• Pets with diabetes mellitus or other hormonal diseases are more likely to suffer from infections; it is necessary to consult a specialist for treatment of hormonal disorders that affect immunity.

7. Lower limb weakness or other movement disorders

• Sometimes hormonal imbalances can cause muscle weakness or coordination problems that indicate endocrinological problems and require veterinary attention.

Regular visits to your Veterinarian Dermatologist - Endocrinologist, especially if you notice any of the symptoms listed above, can help prevent more serious health problems and ensure your pet remains healthy and happy. Dermatological-endocrinological diseases often require long-term treatment and care, so it is important to consult a specialist timely and follow his/her instructions.

Register for consultation by phone +3701288788 

Head of Department, Veterinarian Jovydas Bajorinas

Doctors of Department:

Veterinarian Kotryna Alėjūnaitė
Veterinarian Gabrielė Puluikytė
Veterinarian Rūta Šeduikytė
Veterinarian Martyna Čalnarytė