Montgomery Pet Skin and Ear Clinic
Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf
Member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology
At Montgomery Pet Skin and Ear Clinic, our mission is to
identify the underlying cause of the skin and ear disease and treat it
in the most effective manner in order to make your pet more comfortable.
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Call (334) 272-2200 for an appointment
Download a Skin Disease History Form (click here)
Cushing's Disease in a Dog
SKIN DISEASE
In Alabama, dogs and cats are exposed to many different things that affect the skin and the ears. Our long warm season and our outdoor dogs having so many activities both contribute to skin contact with fleas and ticks, other skin parasites, allergens, bite wounds, fungi, and bacterial infections. Indoors, our insulated homes are full of allergens especially house dust mites and molds that affect the skin. In some cases, dogs and cats are actually allergic to some component in their food and the skin has an adverse reaction to the diet.
Allergies in people affect the eyes and nose mostly, and on occasion the skin, but in dogs and cats allergy primarily affects the skin.
Many skin problems of the dog and cat do not start in the skin, but are the result of another disease going on somewhere in the body. Hormonal diseases, autoimmune diseases, breed specific skin conditions, and nutritional problems can all contribute to skin issues.
Tumors of the skin are very common in dogs and less so in cats. Many of these growths are benign, but others are cancerous. With our surgical laser, skin tumors can be removed with a minimum of scarring. Laser skin tumor removal also results in less bleeding, less swelling, and much less pain.
EAR DISEASE
Dogs are very prone to ear infections. It has been estimated that as many as 20% of all dogs have ear disease. That is 1 in 5 dogs that are suffering from painful, itchy, smelly ears. Because the ear canal is just a roll of skin stuck in the side of the head, whatever happens on the skin can affect the skin of the ear and dogs get ear inflammation, followed by ear infections. These dogs are miserable and many of them are behavioral problems because they are in so much pain.
Cats also suffer from ear disease, but it is different than in dogs. Many cats have ear mites (see the video below) , but many of them also have middle ear infections.
In Alabama, dogs and cats are exposed to many different things that affect the skin and the ears. Our long warm season and our outdoor dogs having so many activities both contribute to skin contact with fleas and ticks, other skin parasites, allergens, bite wounds, fungi, and bacterial infections. Indoors, our insulated homes are full of allergens especially house dust mites and molds that affect the skin. In some cases, dogs and cats are actually allergic to some component in their food and the skin has an adverse reaction to the diet.
Allergies in people affect the eyes and nose mostly, and on occasion the skin, but in dogs and cats allergy primarily affects the skin.
Many skin problems of the dog and cat do not start in the skin, but are the result of another disease going on somewhere in the body. Hormonal diseases, autoimmune diseases, breed specific skin conditions, and nutritional problems can all contribute to skin issues.
Tumors of the skin are very common in dogs and less so in cats. Many of these growths are benign, but others are cancerous. With our surgical laser, skin tumors can be removed with a minimum of scarring. Laser skin tumor removal also results in less bleeding, less swelling, and much less pain.
EAR DISEASE
Dogs are very prone to ear infections. It has been estimated that as many as 20% of all dogs have ear disease. That is 1 in 5 dogs that are suffering from painful, itchy, smelly ears. Because the ear canal is just a roll of skin stuck in the side of the head, whatever happens on the skin can affect the skin of the ear and dogs get ear inflammation, followed by ear infections. These dogs are miserable and many of them are behavioral problems because they are in so much pain.
Cats also suffer from ear disease, but it is different than in dogs. Many cats have ear mites (see the video below) , but many of them also have middle ear infections.
Dr. Gotthelf has spent the last 21 years intensively studying ear diseases in dogs and cats. He has developed many products for the diagnosis and treatment of ear problems in dogs and cats. He has written 2 books about ear diseases for veterinarians. He has lectured to thousands of veterinarians worldwide about his methods and he is highly regarded as an ear disease expert.
3310 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, Alabama 36109
(between Ann St. and Coliseum Blvd.) 334-272-2200
(between Ann St. and Coliseum Blvd.) 334-272-2200
