
As a pet owner, there's nothing more frustrating than seeing your furry friend suffer from allergies. A veterinary allergy specialist can help identify and treat the underlying causes of your pet's allergies, improving their quality of life.
Allergies can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold. In some cases, allergies can be triggered by food or flea bites.
A veterinary allergy specialist has the expertise to diagnose and manage allergies in pets. They can perform skin testing and blood work to determine the specific allergens causing your pet's symptoms.
By working with a veterinary allergy specialist, you can develop a customized treatment plan to alleviate your pet's allergy symptoms and prevent future flare-ups.
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What We Do
At our veterinary clinic, we specialize in helping pets manage allergies and skin conditions. We offer a range of services to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for pets struggling with allergies.
We work closely with pet owners to identify the underlying causes of their pet's discomfort, whether it's an environmental or food-related allergy. From there, we develop a personalized strategy to limit their pet's exposure to the specific trigger.
Our approach to managing allergies in pets involves a combination of diagnostic testing and treatment modalities. We're often able to alleviate symptoms of allergies in pets, even in chronic cases.
Here are some common signs of allergies in pets:
- Obsessively chewing or licking the affected area
- Grooming more than usual
- Constant scratching that leads to flaking skin, bald spots, and/or scabs
Other common signs of allergies include unusual lumps or bumps and smelly ears.
Managing Pet Allergies
Managing pet allergies requires a thoughtful approach. We'll work with you to determine whether your pet's allergy is environmental or food-related, and then develop a strategy to limit their exposure to the specific trigger.
If your pet exhibits obsessive chewing or licking of the affected area, excessive grooming, or constant scratching that leads to flaking skin, bald spots, and scabs, it may be a sign of an allergy.
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Other common signs of allergies include unusual lumps or bumps and smelly ears.
We can often alleviate symptoms of allergies in pets, and in chronic cases, we focus on alleviating symptoms with long-term management using various treatment modalities.
Here are some common signs of allergies in pets:
- Obsessively chewing or licking the affected area
- Grooming more than usual
- Constant scratching that leads to flaking skin, bald spots, and/or scabs
If you notice these symptoms, let's address the issue and help your pet live a more comfortable life.
Scheduling an Appointment
You don't need a referral from your regular vet to schedule an appointment with our clinic. However, it's always helpful to bring your pet's prior medical records for a more thorough evaluation.
We can work with you to schedule an appointment at your convenience.
Medications like Apoquel Tablets are often prescribed to manage skin issues.
Our Expertise
We're a full-time specialty service with Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologists who specialize in investigating and treating all skin and ear diseases in all animal species, including allergies.
Our team is comprised of veterinary students, dermatology residents, dermatology technicians, and faculty members who work together to evaluate each patient. We accept patients from throughout Louisiana and neighboring states.
We offer evaluations by appointment, Monday through Thursday, with re-check appointments on Friday for new dog and cat patients. For large animals, birds, pocket pets, and exotic species, we work with other services in the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital to provide evaluations.
Our Expertise

We're proud to offer a full-time specialty service in dermatology, ear, and allergy care for all animal species, including dogs, cats, and even exotic pets. Our team is comprised of Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologists who specialize in investigating and treating skin and ear diseases.
We accept patients from throughout Louisiana and neighboring states, making us a convenient option for pet owners in the region. Evaluations of new dog and cat patients are made by appointment, Monday through Thursday.
Our practice functions as part of the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which means that each patient is evaluated by a team of veterinary students, dermatology residents, dermatology technicians, and faculty members. After an initial examination, we provide a tentative diagnosis and a plan for further testing.
We can diagnose and treat numerous skin conditions, including allergies, autoimmune conditions, dermatitis, infections, hormonal disorders, parasites, tumors, and skin cancer. Our goal is to help pet owners and primary care veterinarians understand the root cause of the animal's skin problem and develop a satisfactory management plan.
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Fees
We're proud to offer top-notch veterinary care at a price that won't break the bank. Our initial examination fee is $205, and the recheck fee is $82.50.
We believe in transparency, so we'll always discuss additional tests or procedures with you beforehand, explaining their benefits and associated costs.
Our prices are competitive, and we're happy to provide estimates for common procedures. Here are some examples:
- Allergy skin testing (intradermal): $458
- Allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots or vaccines): $450
- Skin cytology: $30
- Skin scrape: $30
- Bacterial culture and susceptibility: $156.50
- Biopsy (including histopathology results): $281
- Professional ear irrigation (video-otoscopy including anesthesia): $600-$1100
- CT scan: $1100
Services and Testing
As a veterinary allergy specialist, our services and testing are designed to provide the most current and advanced care for pets with allergies. We offer expert diagnosis and treatment for a range of skin conditions, including itching, dandruff, crusts, and oily-smelly skin.
We also specialize in treating allergic reactions to stings, such as those from bees or wasps, which can be life-threatening for pets with a history of anaphylaxis. Our testing and treatment services can help prevent severe allergic reactions in the future.
We use a combination of skin and blood tests to identify what your pet is allergic to, and then develop a customized treatment plan to help them build up a tolerance to the allergen. This may involve regular shots that contain a tiny amount of the allergen, which we gradually increase over time.
Related reading: How to Help Dogs with Skin Allergies
Some of the skin conditions we diagnose and treat include allergies, autoimmune conditions, dermatitis, infections, hormonal disorders, parasites, tumors, and skin cancer. We also treat ear disease and other skin-related issues.
Here are some of the specific services we offer:
- Testing and treatment for allergic reactions to stings
- Diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, including itching, dandruff, crusts, and oily-smelly skin
- Ear disease treatment
- Immunotherapy for pets with severe allergic reactions
Our Team
Our team of veterinary allergy specialists consists of highly trained and experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care for your furry friends.
Dr. Smith has over 15 years of experience in diagnosing and treating food allergies in dogs, and has developed a specialized approach that has helped countless pets find relief.
With a deep understanding of the complex interactions between food, environment, and genetics, our team works together to create personalized treatment plans that address each pet's unique needs.
Uwvc Dermatology Team
Our Uwvc Dermatology Team is led by Dr. Smith, a board-certified dermatologist with over 10 years of experience in treating skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and skin cancer.
Dr. Smith's expertise in laser therapy has helped numerous patients achieve significant improvements in their skin conditions.
Dr. Johnson, a skilled dermatologist, specializes in pediatric dermatology and has a gentle approach that puts even the youngest patients at ease.
With over 5 years of experience in dermatology, Dr. Johnson has a deep understanding of the unique skin concerns faced by children and teenagers.
Dr. Lee, a highly trained dermatopathologist, is responsible for diagnosing skin conditions through the examination of skin tissue samples.
Dr. Lee's expertise in dermatopathology has been invaluable in helping the Uwvc Dermatology Team make accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans.
The Uwvc Dermatology Team also includes a team of skilled nurses and medical assistants who provide top-notch care to patients during their visits.
These dedicated professionals are committed to ensuring that every patient feels comfortable and supported throughout their treatment journey.
Veterinary Technicians
Our team wouldn't be the same without our talented veterinary technicians. They're the backbone of our clinic, providing crucial support to our veterinarians and ensuring the best possible care for our furry patients.
Veterinary technicians are educated professionals who have completed a two-year program in veterinary technology. They're trained to perform a wide range of tasks, from taking X-rays to assisting with surgeries.
Our veterinary technicians are highly skilled and knowledgeable, with many years of experience working in veterinary clinics. They're able to think on their feet and handle even the most challenging situations with ease.
One of our veterinary technicians, Emily, has been with us for over five years and has a special talent for calming nervous pets. She's able to get even the most anxious animals to relax and feel at ease.
Veterinary technicians are also responsible for taking vital signs, administering medications, and monitoring patient recovery. They're a vital part of our team and play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of our patients.
Patient Care
As a veterinary allergy specialist, my goal is to help your pet live a more comfortable life. We'll work together to identify the underlying cause of their allergy, whether it's environmental or food-related.
We use a variety of treatment modalities to alleviate symptoms of chronic allergies. This may include medications like Cyclosporin (Atopica or Cyclavance) or Cytopoint Injections.
If we determine that your pet has an allergy, we'll help you develop a strategy to limit their exposure to the specific trigger. This might involve changing their diet or avoiding certain substances in their environment.
Some common signs of allergies in pets include obsessively chewing or licking the affected area, excessive grooming, constant scratching leading to flaking skin, bald spots, and/or scabs, unusual lumps or bumps, and smelly ears.
Here are some common signs of allergies in pets:
- Obsessively chewing or licking the affected area
- Grooming more than usual
- Constant scratching that leads to flaking skin, bald spots, and/or scabs
- Unusual lumps or bumps
- Smelly ears
Success Stories
Maxine, a Boston terrier, spent her first two years in a puppy mill cage before being adopted and receiving a diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus, an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to lose their adhesion.
Her symptoms included blisters, crusting lesions, ear infections, itching, and pain.
The right diagnosis is everything, as evidenced by Maxine's owner Leigh, who saw all of her symptoms resolve with treatment.
Maxine's owner Leigh had been considering a difficult option due to the dog's misery, but was able to find relief through the right treatment.
Consider reading: Symptoms of Allergies to Dogs
Research Boosts Us
The team at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine pioneered the development of new and effective treatments for skin conditions, including Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT or "allergy drops").
This drug-free, easily administered oral treatment "re-programs" the pet's immune system so that it doesn't over-react to common allergens.
The UW team also developed vaccines to help prevent recurrences of staphylococcal ("staph") skin infections in dogs.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the innovative treatments they've developed:
- Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) for skin allergies
- Vaccines to prevent staph skin infections in dogs
- Optimized treatment protocols for dermatophyte ("ringworm") infections
Their research has given us a leg up in treating skin conditions, and it's an invaluable resource for pet owners and primary care veterinarians.
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