Dermatology

About Dermatology at AMC

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center’s Dermatology Service has a breadth of experience in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the skin of animals, including the ear, hair, nail, hoof, and mouth. While some veterinary skin diseases are similar to conditions in humans, most are unique and may occur in only one of the many types of animals a veterinarian cares for. These diseases range from skin cancer to allergies, and treatment options vary tremendously. Skin disease can also present as a manifestation of an underlying internal disease process therefore AMC’s Dermatologist is also trained in Internal Medicine, Immunology, and Allergy.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of skin disease include:

  • Constant licking, chewing, biting, scratching, or shaking of the head
  • Hair loss, scabs, or dandruff
  • Changes in the skin or coat’s color or texture
  • Bad odor from the skin or ears

Causes

Common causes of skin diseases include:

  • Allergies
  • Environmental contaminants
  • Fleas
  • Mites (i.e. sarcoptic mange, demodecosis)
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Superficial and deep skin infections
  • Skin masses

Tests

To ensure accurate diagnoses, AMC’s Dermatology teams uses tests such as:

  • Intra-dermal allergy testing
  • Blood tests
  • Skin biopsies

Treatments

Common dermatologic treatments include:

  • Food allergy trial diets
  • Hyposensitization
  • Special shampoos
  • Immune therapy
  • Compounded medications (i.e. transdermal medication)

Our Team

Dr. Mark Macina of the Animal Medical Center in New York City

Mark Macina

DVM

Service Head of Dermatology
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