Dermatology
About Dermatology at QVS
Our Dermatology team work closely with specialists in internal medicine, surgery, and other departments to deliver a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to each case. This collaborative approach allows us to investigate the visible skin problem plus any underlying systemic or allergic conditions contributing to your pet’s disease.
Our goal is not only to treat flare-ups, but to improve long-term comfort, reduce recurrence, and enhance quality of life for both pets and their owners.
We offer a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services including:
- Investigation and long-term management of allergic skin disease
- Advanced ear diagnostics and procedures (including video-otoscopy and middle ear evaluation)
- Management of immune-mediated and autoimmune skin disorders
- Diagnosis and treatment of skin infections
- Allergen-specific immunotherapy (desensitisation) for environmental allergens
- Assessment and management of complex or treatment-resistant dermatologic conditions
- Bee and wasp sting immunotherapy (desensitisation)
Why your pet may need a dermatologist
Referral to a veterinary dermatologist is recommended when skin or ear disease is persistent, recurrent, or not responding as expected to standard treatment.
Your pet may benefit from a dermatology
consultation if they experience:
- Ongoing or recurrent ear infections (otitis externa or media)
- Chronic itching, scratching, licking, or chewing
- Repeated skin infections (bacterial or yeast)
- Allergies (environmental, contact, food-related, or flea-associated)
- Hair loss, redness, scaling, or changes in skin pigmentation
- Unusual or complex skin lesions
- Suspected immune-mediated or autoimmune disease
Our availability
Dermatology consultations are available across multiple QVS locations to improve accessibility for referring veterinarians and pet owners.
Appointments are offered at:
- QVS North Lakes, phone: 07 3359 0777
- QVS Stafford
- QVS Warana
We aim to provide timely access for both routine referrals and more urgent or severe dermatologic cases.
Common conditions
Allergic skin disease
Allergies are one of the most common reasons pets are referred to dermatology.
These may include:
- Atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies)
- Food hypersensitivity
- Contact dermatitis
- Flea allergy dermatitis
Affected pets often experience ongoing itch, skin inflammation, and recurrent infections. Management typically involves a combination of targeted therapies, environmental control, and in many cases, allergen-specific immunotherapy.
Chronic and recurrent otitis externa
Ear disease is very common in Queensland’s warm and humid environment and is frequently associated with underlying allergy.
Pets with chronic otitis (ear infections) may show:
- Repeated infections despite treatment
- Pain, head shaking, or discharge
- Progressive thickening or narrowing of the ear canal
We utilise advanced diagnostics such as video-otoscopy and CT scanning to fully assess the ear canal, remove impacted debris under visual guidance, and evaluate the tympanic membrane. Ear canal masses can be biopsied and removed with precision and if required middle ear disease is investigated and treated using specialised techniques.
Effective management depends on identifying and controlling the underlying cause—not just treating the infection.
Bacterial, yeast, and parasitic skin disease
Infections are often secondary to underlying conditions such as allergies or hormonal disease.
These may present as:
- Recurrent pyoderma (bacterial infection)
- Malassezia (yeast) overgrowth
- Mite infestations
Accurate diagnosis using cytology and other tests allows targeted treatment and helps prevent recurrence.
Immune-mediated and autoimmune skin disorders
These less common but important conditions occur when the immune system targets the skin. They may present with ulceration, crusting, depigmentation, or systemic illness.
Diagnosis often requires biopsy and specialised testing, with long-term immunomodulatory therapy required.
Skin tumours and neoplastic conditions
Dermatology plays a key role in diagnosing and managing skin tumours, particularly skin tumours associated with chronic UV (sun) exposure.
Depending on the tumour type, treatment may involve:
- Laser ablation of some types of cancers and pre-cancerous changes
- Chemotherapy
- Medical therapy
- Referral for surgical management
We work closely with surgical and oncology services to ensure optimal outcomes.
Information for pet owners
Preparing for your dermatology appointment
To ensure the most accurate assessment:
• Avoid bathing your pet for at least three days prior to the consultation
• Bring a full history of medications, diets, and previous and current treatments
• If allergy testing is being considered, certain medications may need to be withdrawn beforehand (we will advise you in advance)
Even if medication withdrawal is not possible, a consultation is still very valuable in establishing a diagnostic and management plan.
Our approach
Dermatology cases often need a careful, step‑by‑step approach.
At the appointment we will:
• Take a detailed history
• Carefully examine your pet's skin
• Conduct in-house diagnostic tests (e.g. cytology, skin scrapings)
• Develop a tailored diagnostic and treatment plan
Where appropriate, we will work in partnership with your regular local veterinarian for ongoing care.
Working with your referring veterinarian
We are a referral service and aim to support your primary care veterinarian.
Once a diagnosis and management plan are established, ongoing treatment and monitoring may often be shared or transitioned back to your regular vet.
Frequently asked questions
What is allergy testing?
Allergy testing is used to identify which environmental allergens are triggering your pet’s allergic skin disease. In dogs and cats, this most commonly relates to atopic dermatitis, where airborne allergens such as dust mites, pollens, moulds, insect body parts cause ongoing itch and inflammation.
It is important to note that allergy testing is not used to diagnose whether a pet has allergies—that diagnosis is based on clinical history and examination. Instead, testing is performed to determine the specific allergens involved so that a personalised treatment plan can be developed.
At QVS, allergy testing is typically performed using intradermal skin testing. This involves:
• Clipping a small area of fur
• Injecting tiny amounts of common allergens into the skin under reversible sedation
• Assessing the skin’s reaction to each allergen
In some cases, blood (serum) allergy testing may be used as an alternative.
The results of allergy testing allow us to formulate allergen-specific immunotherapy (desensitisation therapy). This is the only treatment that targets the underlying cause of environmental allergies, rather than simply controlling symptoms. Over time, immunotherapy can significantly reduce itch, reliance on medications, and the frequency of flare-ups.
Your dermatologist will advise whether allergy testing is appropriate for your pet and guide you through the preparation and process.