Skin problems can be caused by parasites, infections, environmental deficiencies, behavioural disorders, hormonal disorders or allergies.  Although all species can be effected by any of these causes, specific species have common skin problems.  Birds can commonly be effected by mites or self-mutilation; mammals are susceptible to hormonal imbalances and external parasites; while reptiles are sensitive to environmental induced skin disorders.  An understanding of the nature and physiological differences between species is critical in dealing with the unique problems of each animal.  These issues can be challenging to diagnose and particularly difficult to treat and should be addressed promptly.

We can often diagnose a skin problem by simply examining your pet. Some dermatologic diseases or conditions do require additional diagnostic procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and the results of our physical exam, we may run blood work or perform a urinalysis, skin scraping, or biopsies.

Contact our Toronto hospital if you notice your your pet is scratching excessively, starts self mutilating, or develops any bare patches, scabs, scaling, redness, inflammation, lumps, or bumps.