Dogs and cats suffer from many problems, which affect their skin. It is important to understand that the skin is an organ, just as the liver and kidneys are organs. The skin functions as a barrier to protect the body from infection, caustic substances, ultra...

Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection of the skin commonly called "Ringworm". Both dogs and cats are susceptible to the three species of fungi, which commonly cause ringworm. The dermatophyte infection grows in a circular fashion and the center of the lesion ...

Mange is a skin disease caused by mites of several species. All mites are small, requiring a microscope to be seen and identified. Mites may be acquired at birth or contracted by animal to animal contact. Most mites are species specific, so you cannot contract...

We do not know what causes food allergies in dogs and cats. The most common food allergens in dogs are beef, soy, dairy products and various grains. In cats, beef, milk and fish are the most common food allergens. Age of onset is variable although young dogs a...

Fleas and ticks are the two most common external parasites of dogs and cats. Fleas and ticks survive by feeding on the blood of dogs, cats and sometimes people. Flea and tick feeding bites lead to several problems for your pet and for you, including constant...

Ear Mites (Otodectes cyanotis) infest the ear canals of dogs and cats. The mite is contagious and transfers from animal to animal by direct contact. Otodectes mites can live away from their host (your pet) for several months and will re-infect given the opport...

An auricular hematoma is an accumulation of blood within the cartilage of the pinna (floppy part) of the ear caused by violent head shaking, scratching and other trauma. Auricular hematoma is seen in dogs and less frequently, cats. Underlying causes of aur...

Acral lick granulomas are skin lesions most commonly seen in young, large breed dogs. Lick granulomas result from an urge to lick the lower, front area of the legs. A lick granuloma is thickened, raised and red. The condition has either psychologic or ph...

An abscess is a localized pocket of infection, which contains pus. A connective tissue capsule that walls off the pocket from the rest of the body surrounds these infected areas. Pus, more properly called purulent exudate, is composed of white blood cells, bac...