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Zinc responsive dermatitis is a skin condition in dogs resulting from a zinc deficiency or an inability to properly absorb the mineral. It is a rare condition that typically presents as scaling, crusting, and hair loss around the head (especially muzzle and periocular region) and pressure points.

The most common form is syndrome I which is almost exclusively seen in Nordic breeds like Huskies and Malamutes. They have a genetic defect that impairs intestinal absorption of zinc (even when sufficient quantities are in their diet). 

Learn about this disease process including diagnosis and treatment on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:00 Zinc Basics
04:12 What Happens If You’re Not Absorbing Enough Zinc
05:55 Syndromes Seen With Zinc Deficiency
07:22 Zinc Responsive Dermatitis in Huskies
08:31 Presentations of Zinc Responsive Dermatitis
09:50 Other Differentials You Can See
11:53 Treatment for Zinc Responsive Dermatitis
13:35 Length of Treatment
14:10 Other Treatment Methodologies
15:19 Outro

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Solar dermatitis (actinic keratosis) is skin damage from prolonged UV exposure, affecting both dogs and cats, particularly those with light-colored or thin coats. So, pets that have white fur and live in high UV exposure areas (like the southern US) are predisposed. Symptoms include redness, scaling, hair loss, and thickened, crusty skin. Commonly affected areas include the nose, ears, abdomen, and inner thighs. 

This condition can lead to more severe issues, including pre-cancerous lesions and aggressive skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma. We will discuss ways to identify this disease and treatment options such as CO2 laser ablation, etc.

00:00 – Intro
04:06 – Nasal Solar Dermatitis
06:32 – Classic Canine Solar Dermatitis
08:15 – Treatment Options for Solar Dermatitis
16:52 – Outro

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In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I like to reflect on the things I am thankful for in the world of veterinary dermatology and life. Check out the products and people I am thankful for on this celebratory 300th episode of The Derm Vet podcast!

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
1:53 New Product Launches
4:30 Dr. Bourgeois’s Experiences
5:30 Dr. Bourgeois’s Family
7:21 New Research
8:29 Patients and Clients
10:21 The Viewers
11:39 Outro

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For how common we see pyoderma in cats and dogs in veterinary practice, the appearance can be variable. A cutaneous bacterial infection can appear as crusting, erythema, scaling, moth-eaten alopecia, epidermal collarette, etc. 

Differentials can also be varied. Pyoderma can mimic dermatophytosis, demodicosis, pemphigus foliaceus, epitheliotropic lymphoma, etc. 

Check out this week's episode The Derm Vet podcast! Also, I highly encourage you to check out the YouTube channel to see some clinical images.

00:00 – Intro
01:20 – Moth-Eaten Alopecia
03:18 – Diffuse Alopecia
04:21 – Erythema
05:27 – Scaling
06:40 – Epidermal Collarettes
07:57 – Crusting
11:15 – Urticaria-like Lesions
13:58 – Outro

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As dermatologists, we LOVE topical therapy. However there are some basic things that need to be considered when suggesting a protocol. 

What are you treating?

What is the ultimate goal?

What do you or the owner have?

Can it happen?

Check out some simple tips on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!

00:00 – Intro
01:15 – Q1: Why Are You Using Topical Therapy?
04:41 – Q2: What is the Goal of the Product?
05:58 – Q3: What Do You Have Available?
08:45 – Q4: Can the Owner Do It?
11:34 – Overview
12:44 – Outro

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Even as a specialist, I still get cases that surprise me or change appearances. It can leave me doubting what the next step is. But, if you take a breath, it is amazing what can happen when you figure them out. Check out three cases that recently threw me for a loop.

1. A dog with weird paw pad ulcers

2. A cat with an ulcerated nasal planum

3. A service dog with non-pruritic alopecia and scaling

Hint: If you check out the YouTube channel, there are a lot of clinical photos!

00:00  Intro
02:14  Case Number 1: Veni
08:02  Case Number 2: Gadget
14:42  Case Number 3: Bruno
19:19  Outro

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Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO returns to the podcast to discuss something other than allergies! There are so many non-allergic things that can occur with eyeballs (or the skin around the eyes) that may also include input from a dermatologist?

What non-allergic cause can lead to periocular dermatitis?

How do you start evaluation of blepharitis or chemosis?

We dig even deeper into eyes this week on The Derm Vet podcast!

00:01 – Intro
01:21 – What is the most common reason for periocular alopecia
03:48 – What topical antibiotic can you safely use around the eye
08:02 – Basic guidance on blepharitis
12:09 – When should general practitioners consult ophthalmologists
15:07 – Breeds with a strong overlap in skin and eye conditions
18:01 – Outro

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Back for round 2! Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO returns to talk us through periocular and ocular disease that can occur from allergies. 

How common is it?

Should it go to ophtho or derm?

Can you consider topical antihistamines? Topical steroids?

We dive into all of your questions related to allergic eyeballs on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!

00:00 Intro
02:46 How often are you referred patients with underlying allergy issues?
05:10 Managing chronic KCS associated with atopic dermatitis
10:55 Topical antihistamines or steroids to manage allergic pruritus towards the eyes?
18:00 Are oral antihistamines helpful for allergic conjunctivitis?
21:52 JAK inhibitors, cyclosporine and steroids vs. conjunctivitis / pruritus
24:40 How atopic dermatitis affects the eyes
27:29 Outro

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We have so many wonderful non-steroid options to manage itch and inflammation in veterinary dermatology. HOWEVER, there is still a time and place that steroids are necessary. It is important to not be afraid of steroids, but now when and how to use them appropriately.

From stenotic ears to cost concerns, check out the situations where, even as a boarded dermatologist, I lean on steroids on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!

00:00 Intro
01:00 Taking away guilt for steroid use
02:04 Scenarios where steroid use is considered
03:07 Severe Inflammation
05:05 While waiting for a slower medication to work
07:27 Stenotic Ears
9:11 Management of autoimmune diseases
11:14 Cost Concerns
13:10 Sometimes nothing else works
14:56 Summary/Outro

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Tom Lewis, DVM, DACVD is back on the podcast! Last year, Dr. Lewis joined the podcast last year to discuss the release of Zenrelia. One year later, he is back to discuss his experience with having this medication for a year and the relief it has provided for hundreds of his canine patients. Also, we discuss the recent change to the US boxed label warning which removed the vaccine induced disease portion of the label.

Learn more on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!

Studies mentioned in podcast: 
Recent study regarding vaccine booster response in dogs receiving Zenrelia: Fent, G.M., Jacela, J., Plazola-Ortiz, R. et al. Immunologic response to first booster vaccination in dogs treated with zenrelia™ (ilunocitinib tablets) at up to three times the recommended therapeutic dose compared to untreated controls. BMC Vet Res 21, 481 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04929-z

Recent study regarding safety of Zenrelia: S. Forster, C. M. Trout, S. Despa, A. Boegel, D. Berger, and S. King, “ Efficacy and Field Safety of Ilunocitinib for the Control of Allergic Dermatitis in Client-Owned Dogs: A Multicenter, Double-Masked, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial,” Veterinary Dermatology (2025): 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.70009.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:46 Zenrelia box label warning change
08:14 What does the box label warning change mean and why it's only in the US?
12:10 Looking at every patient as an individual
17:00 How comfortable do you feel using Zenrelia long-term?
22:14 Outro