The Derm Vet Podcast
by Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD
Tune in to make veterinary dermatology more fun than frustrating! This podcast features Dr. Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD sharing practical tips on dermatologic workups you can bring to clinical practice right away. Also, stories about navigating the messy (yet beautiful) journey of being a vet mom while building a career you love.
Episodes
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349. 5 Veterinary Skin Cytology Tips Every Veterinarian Should Know
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Are you getting the most out of your veterinary skin cytology samples? When it comes to diagnosing skin infections and managing dermatology cases, knowing where, when, and how to collect samples can make all the difference. In this…
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348. Why Rechecks Matter in Veterinary Dermatology
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I dig into why rechecks matter in veterinary dermatology: how I set expectations with owners from the first visit, what I look for at a recheck, the problems that slip through when owners skip them, and how I celebrate…
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347. When It's Not Just Allergies: 2 Veterinary Dermatology Cases That Changed Everything
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! What happens when a dermatology patient you've treated for years suddenly develops symptoms that don't quite add up? Is it another allergy flare, or could something entirely different be going on? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast…
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346. When Allergy Treatments Stop Working: Rethinking Chronic Skin Disease in Dogs
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! What happens when a dog you've successfully managed for allergies suddenly starts developing new symptoms, recurrent pyoderma, or worsening pruritus? Is it truly a progression of atopic dermatitis, or could something else be going on? In...
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345. When Allergy Treatment Isn’t Working: A 7-Step Checklist for Itchy Dogs
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! What do you do when an itchy dog just isn’t responding to allergy treatment the way you expected? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down my refractory allergy checklist to help veterinary professionals reevaluate difficult...
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344. Canine Lupus in Veterinary Dermatology: Recognizing DLE, SLO & MCLE
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Lupus can show up in more ways than one in veterinary dermatology! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down three important lupus and lupoid diseases seen in dogs: discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), symmetrical lupoid...
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343. The Multiple-Allergy Patient: When One Diagnosis Isn’t Enough
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Is your allergic patient still itching despite treatment? They may be dealing with more than one allergy! In this episode, I break down how to identify the multi-allergy veterinary patient and recognize the clues that suggest multiple...
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342. Brachycephalic Skin Problems: Managing Folds, Paws & Allergies in Bulldogs
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and other brachycephalic breeds are frequent flyers in veterinary dermatology but successfully managing their skin disease often requires looking beyond the obvious itch. In this episode of The Derm Vet...
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341. History Taking in Veterinary Dermatology: The Clues That Shape Your Differentials
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In veterinary dermatology, the right diagnosis often starts before the physical exam... it starts with the history! In this episode of The Derm Vet, I break down how a thorough dermatologic history can help veterinary professionals build...
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340. Feline Crusty Paw Pads: Building a Differential Diagnosis
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Crusty, irritated, or abnormal paw pads in cats can point to much more than a simple skin problem. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down the differential diagnoses behind feline crusty paw pads, including plasma cell...
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339. Crusty Paw Pads in Dogs: The Differentials Every Vet Should Know
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Crusty paw pads may seem like a straightforward dermatologic finding... but they can point to everything from simple hyperkeratosis to autoimmune, metabolic, infectious, and even systemic disease! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast…
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338. How to Guide Clients Through the Allergy Workup
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Allergy cases are rarely straightforward... and explaining the diagnostic process to pet owners can be just as challenging as managing the itch. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down a practical approach to talking with...
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337. Cat Ear Diseases Explained: Solar Dermatitis, Pemphigus, Cystomatosis & More
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Why do cats develop crusting, curling, inflammation, or unusual lesions on their ears? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I'm diving into feline pinnal diseases and the dermatologic conditions that can affect the feline ear. I…
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336. Dog Ear Diseases Explained: Scabies, Pemphigus, Pinnal Vasculitis & More
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I answer a listener question about off-label JAK inhibitor dosing before taking a deep dive into common canine pinnal (ear flap) diseases. Learn how to recognize and manage canine scabies, pinnal vasculitis, pemphigus...
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335. The Overlooked Signs of Canine Allergies Every Veterinarian Should Know
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Dogs don't always scratch when they're itchy and that can make diagnosing allergic skin disease much more challenging! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down the subtle and commonly overlooked signs of itching in dogs…
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334. Cat vs. Dog Skin: 3 Key Dermatology Differences Every Veterinarian Should Know
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! How do feline dermatology cases differ from canine dermatology? In this episode, I answer a listener's question on treating yeast-only ear infections before breaking down three major clinical differences between cats and dogs... from ear...
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333. The Long Game: Mastering Maintenance Therapy for Allergic Dogs
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Constant scratching, chewing, and ear infections aren't just annoying... they're your patient's way of telling you something's wrong! In this episode, I break down everything veterinary professionals need to know about managing allergic...
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332. Your Allergy Patient Is Doing Fine... So Why Start Immunotherapy?
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Is allergen-specific immunotherapy the closest thing we have to changing the course of allergic disease in dogs? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I explore why immunotherapy remains the gold standard for long-term allergy...
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331. Rostrolateral Nasal Alar Arteriopathy of German Shepherd Dogs
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Learn how rostrolateral nasal alar arteriopathy is diagnosed, why it can be mistaken for other conditions, and the treatment options available to help improve quality of life. I also discusses setting realistic owner expectations and the...
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330. How To Connect with Frustrated Pet Parents
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Client communication can make or break even the best dermatology treatment plan... In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I answer a listener's question about improving cytology skills in veterinary practice before diving into one of…
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329. The Otitis Grab Bag: Your Questions, Answered
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I tackle some of the most common (and challenging) questions surrounding the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of canine otitis externa. From maintenance therapy protocols and cleaning strategies to biofilm...
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328. Managing Itchy Cats: Apoquel, Zenrelia, and the Reality of Off-Label Treatment
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Can cats safely take Apoquel or Zenrelia? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the use of JAK inhibitors in feline dermatology, exploring the science behind atopic disease, practical treatment considerations, and the realities of...
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327. A Practical Guide to Multimodal Skin Barrier Therapy in Allergic Dogs & Cats
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Skin barrier is having a moment... and for good reason. In this episode, I break down why restoring the skin barrier is a non-negotiable piece of the multimodal approach to managing atopic dermatitis in dogs and cats, and more…
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326. New JAK Inhibitor for Allergic Dogs? What Vets Need to Know About Numelvi
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! A new JAK inhibitor has officially entered the veterinary market but where does it fit into managing allergic dogs? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I sit down with boarded veterinary dermatologist Dr. Christine McKinney from…
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325. Top Skin Barrier Products Every Veterinary Team Should Know
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Skin barrier therapy has become one of the hottest topics in veterinary dermatology but with so many sprays, spot-ons, mousses, collars, and topical products available, it can be difficult to know what actually works and when to use…
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324. Biopsy Timing, Infectious Differentials & Managing Sterile Nodular Panniculitis
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I dive into the diagnostic approach and long-term management of sterile nodular panniculitis in veterinary patients. We discuss everything from sampling claw folds and interpreting flaky cytology samples to biopsy...
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323. Mastering the Diet Trial Discussion in Veterinary Dermatology
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I tackle one of the most important — and often most challenging — conversations in veterinary dermatology: the diet trial discussion. We break down common client concerns, why compliance can be difficult, and how...
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322. Why Your Otitis Cases Aren’t Healing (And How to Fix Them Fast)
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! When an otitis case just won’t clear, there are often simple changes we can make to be more successful. In this episode, we break down the most common (and fixable) reasons ear infections fail to respond in clinical practice. From...
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321. 7 Overlooked Exam Sites Every Vet Should Check On An Allergic Dog
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, we take a closer look at the often-overlooked areas of the dermatologic exam in allergic dogs—because the clues you’re missing may be the ones that matter most. From the ventral neck and axilla to claw folds, lip…
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320. When a Perky Nose Turns Out to Be Plasma Cell Pododermatitis in a Cat
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this week's episode, we explore an interesting feline case that illustrates why no detail should ever be overlooked. When a "perky nose" complaint actually becomes plasma cell pododermatitis. Using this case as a guide, we highlight…
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319. Managing Tough Allergy Cases in Dogs: JAK Inhibitors, Cytopoint, and Cyclosporine Explained
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Allergy cases can be REALLY tough! In this week's podcast episode, we explore how veterinarians and staff can build confidence using the full range of allergy medications available. From JAK inhibitors to monoclonal antibodies to...
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318. 4 Costly Mistakes in Cat Dermatology (and How to Avoid Them)
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Feline dermatology be tricky and daunting. It is easy to skip over simple steps that can make a big difference in your allergic cat management. In this episode, we break down four of the most common missteps that in managing feline skin...
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317. EARS: A Simple System for Diagnosing & Managing Canine Otitis
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Remembering how to treat and prevent otitis in a complete manner can be difficult in a busy general practice. There are different acronyms to help, but everybody remembers things a bit differently. This week's podcast goes over a new...
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316. 5 Dermatology Red Flags You Should NEVER Ignore in Pets
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Really red, inflamed and itchy cases can be tough to differentiate. Could it be allergies? Maybe something else like an autoimmune disease has popped up... On this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast, we discuss five RED FLAGS that…
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315. ISCAID Systemic Therapy Guidelines: Key Takeaways for GPs with Allison Inga
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Allison Inga, DVM, DACVD is back on the podcast! In this week's episode, we review the systemic antimicrobial recommendations from the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) and what they mean for...
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314. Topical Therapy & the ISCAID Guidelines: Practical Updates with Dr. Allison Inga
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this week's podcast episode, I get to interview Allison Inga, DVM, DACVD who practices at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Robbinsville, NJ. We take a practical, clinician-focused look at the latest guidelines from the International…
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313. DERM DRUGS: Monoclonal antibodies
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! This is the last installment in our series of DERM DRUGS. Monoclonal antibodies are becoming an important tool in veterinary dermatology — but what are they, and how do they actually work? In this episode, we break down monoclonal…
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312. DERM DRUGS: JAK Inhibitors
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have become a cornerstone in managing pruritic and allergic skin disease in dogs by targeting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which transmits itch and inflammatory cytokine signals. With so many medications...
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311. DERM DRUGS: Gram-negative rod antibiotics
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In veterinary dermatology, gram-negative rods like Pseudomonas, E. coli, Proteus, etc. can develop in chronic or deep skin infections. When systemic therapy is needed, culture and sensitivity are essential. But what are some of the more...
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310. How VISTA iQ is Changing Mass Evaluation in Dogs
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! When a senior dog walks in with multiple lumps and bumps, the big question becomes: which ones actually need a needle? And how do we make those decisions when time, finances, and patient comfort all matter? In this episode of The Derm…
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309. DERM DRUGS: Anti-Staphylococcal Antibiotics
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Continuing our DERM DRUG series... we are discussing one of the most common class of drugs asked about: antibiotics! Specifically, those used for staphyloccal pyoderma since it is seen almost every day in general practice. A majority of...
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308. DERM DRUGS: Anti-Yeast
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Welcome to our first podcast series of the year: DERM DRUGS! We will spend the next few weeks jumping into different categories of medication and provide real world application of when and how we reach for these medications. Our first...
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307. From Surface to Tympanum: Why Video Otoscopy Matters
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! I have had quite a few cool video otoscopy procedures lately. With cool procedures, come the ability to share these videos and images online. With that, comes lots of questions from you! When should I refer for video otoscopy? What is…
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306. Preventing pyoderma in your allergic patients
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Recurrent infections can be so difficult in our allergic patients. Learn how to minimize severity of frequency of pyoderma on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast! 1. Work up the underlying allergies 2. Support the skin barrier 3....
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305. Periocular dermatitis- How to perform diagnostics? What are your differentials?
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Periocular dermatitis can occur for a multitude of reasons. The first step is to figure out if the eye itself is involved or not. Once we know the eye is healthy, it is time to figure out why the SKIN AROUND the eye is losing hair…
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304. Merry Christmas... here are your derm gifts to close out 2025!
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! I asked a few of my vet friends what "derm gifts" they received in 2025. I loved their answers and wanted to share them on our final episode of the podcast this year! 1. More confidence in cytology 2. Comfort in using new tools and...
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303. When the allergy drugs "quit working"
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! It is very common for clients to present their pet to the veterinarian complaining that an allergy medication that used to work is no longer effective. Before changing therapies, it is important to consider four different things. 1. Rule...
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302. Zinc Responsive Dermatitis
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! 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...
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301. Solar Dermatitis
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! 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...
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300. Paws to Give Thanks
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! 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...
About this show
Tune in to make veterinary dermatology more fun than frustrating! This podcast features Dr. Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD sharing practical tips on dermatologic workups you can bring to clinical practice right away. Also, stories about navigating the messy (yet beautiful) journey of being a vet mom while building a career you love.
Hosted by
Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD