dog allergy - Your Vet Wants You to Know

An adorable white long haired chihuahua gets a soapy bath in a grooming tub.

Strong Skin Happy Pets 3 – Preventing the Flare with Maintenance

In Episode 3 of the Strong Skin Happy Pets series, sponsored by Dechra, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti and Dr. Mollie Mesman focus on long-term skin barrier maintenance and why it is essential for managing allergies in dogs and cats. They explain why allergic skin disease is lifelong, how stopping treatment leads to flare-ups, and how proactive routines can reduce infections and medication use. Through real-life examples and practical strategies, this episode helps pet owners build sustainable care plans that support their pet’s skin and stop allergic itching year-round.

Episode title overlaying an image of a golden retriever dog in a medicated bath to repair the skin barrier

Strong Skin Happy Pets – Allergic dogs and cats and How to Repair the Skin Barrier

In allergic dogs and cats with itchy skin or recurrent infections, skin barrier repair may be a key part of treatment. Learn how bathing, topical therapy, nutrition, and long-term home care can help allergic pets stay more comfortable.

A veterinarian and a pet owner happily talk while a golden retriever sits calmly on an exam table.

HEAR Now: Help, Educate, Assess and Regulate Frustrating Ear Infections

Dog ear infections are one of the most common reasons for vet visits. In Part 1 of our HEAR Now series, veterinary dermatologists explain why infections keep coming back, how allergies and ear shape play a role, and what treatments can help your pet.

3 Big Mistakes Owners Make When Testing for Dog Food Allergies (and what to do instead)

Dog allergy myths busted: grains, cutting out chicken, and blood tests. Don’t make these mistakes with dog food allergies. Get expert, evidence-based answers.

Zenrelia

Zenrelia (ilunocitinib) is a new medication for treating allergies in dogs. In this episode, veterinary dermatologists Dr. Brittany Lancellotti and Dr. Tom Lewis discuss detailed analyses of clinical trials, patient stories, and comparisons with existing treatments like Apoquel. The conversation covers the drug’s mechanism, safety considerations, and the impact on vaccine efficacy. Real-world applications are reviewed, emphasizing the importance of multiple treatment options for allergies and working to find the underlying triggers. The episode also highlights advancements in managing skin and ear infections to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Anxiety and Allergies

Many pet owners may think their pet licks its paws because of anxiety. While anxiety may play a role in how itchy an allergic pet feels, when dogs lick their paws to the point of causing damage to the skin, anxiety it not the only problem. Dr. Lindsey McAuliffe, veterinary dermatologist, set out to study the role of anxiety in dogs with allergies. She found a fascinating change in many behaviors, including aggression, fear, touch sensitivity and trainability. If your allergic dog struggles with behavior problems, this is a fascinating conversation looking at what the research tells us.

Ear Cleaning

Ear cleaning can be incredibly important for dogs with ear infections and allergies. Pet owners may struggle with ear cleaning if the dog is fearful or painful. In this episode, Dr. Amy Pike, veterinary behavior specialist, discusses cooperative care techniques for low stress ear cleanings for your dog with ear infections. This episode is a great resource if your dog has ever had an ear infection and you are looking for a method that decreases pain and anxiety for everyone involved.

female veterinarian looking into a dog ear canal

Aural Hematomas

An aural hematoma is a painful swelling of a pet’s ear from buildup of fluid when the ear flap is damaged. It is not uncommon for ear infections to cause a pet to shake its head back and forth, leading to a swollen ear flap, also known as an aural hematoma. Golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and dogs with allergies are at a higher risk for developing one or even multiple aural hematomas. Since these can be treated with several different methods, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, veterinary dermatologist, discusses the risks and benefits to treatment options based on recent studies.

Cytology

“My pet smells like yeast!” Many diseases can cause an animal to “smell like yeast.” In this episode, Dr. Ashley Bourgeois, veterinary dermatologist and host of The Derm Vet podcast, joins Dr. Brittany Lancellotti to explain how cytology can help us figure out if the stink is really from yeast, or if there are other infections or diseases causing skin problems in your dog or cat. If your pet has ever had a skin or ear problem, allergies, or itching, this episode will help you understand why cytology is so helpful to your veterinarian.

Ear Infections Part 2

Itchy, smelly ears can be incredibly uncomfortable for dogs and cats with ear infections. Diego had such horrible ear infections, he was living in constant pain. This episode’s guest, veterinary dermatologist Dr. Meagan Painter, joins Dr. Brittany Lancellotti to discuss common tests, such as ear exams, cytology, and culture and what these tests tell your veterinarian. They describe common treatments, such as oral and topical medications, and how these treatments allowed Diego to live his best life, no longer in pain.

Tag: dog allergy