Dermatology and Otology

Our Services

The Dermatology and Otology Service at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center offers comprehensive care for companion and equine animals with skin and ear disease.

Service Highlights

  • 3 board certified veterinary dermatologists and 1 resident in veterinary dermatology
  • Consultation services for all diseases affecting the skin, ears, claws, hair coat, and mucosal surfaces
  • Diagnosis and treatment of allergic skin disease, including intradermal (skin) and in vitro (blood/serum) allergy testing
  • Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear (pinna, external canal, middle and inner ear), including HD video otoscopy, and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response testing (BAER)
  • Routine diagnostic procedures including skin scrapings, cytology and culture
  • Biopsy and histopathology of diseases of the skin, ears, claws, and mucosa
  • Complete range of specialized treatments and prescription diets for treatment

Clinical Trials

The Dermatology and Otology Service is often recruiting patients for a number of studies for which your pet may be eligible. 
For a listing of current trials please click here.

Appointments & Office Hours

  • Office hours: 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
  • Patient visits by appointment only or as emergencies as scheduled by your veterinarian.
  • For an appointment:
    • Ph: (614) 292-3551 (companion animals)
    • Ph: (614) 292-6661 (equine)
  • After-hour emergencies: (614) 292-3551

What to Expect

One of our senior veterinary students will take a complete patient history and perform an initial dermatologic examination on your pet under the supervision of a staff dermatologist. Please note, that as a matter of policy and because specialized equipment is not available in all consulting rooms, the examination is performed in the dermatology treatment room and you will be asked to return to the lobby during the examination. A staff dermatologist will then complete a thorough examination. Typically, routine minor diagnostic procedures (skin cytology and scrapings and ear cytology) will also be performed at this time. It is likely to be 40-60 minutes before the staff dermatologist will speak to you about diagnosis and treatment options. Please allow 1.5-3 hours for your initial visit to our service.

Our mission is to provide you with the best diagnostic and therapeutic plan that will help control or resolve your pet’s skin or ear disease.

Special Equipment & Technology

  • Complete allergy testing including:
    • Full intradermal (skin) testing
    • In vitro (serum or blood) allergy testing
    • Formulation of allergen-specific immunotherapy
  • Advanced state-of-the-art diagnostic tests of the ear, including HD video otoscopy, CT imaging, MRI imaging, BAER test for hearing, ear canal and middle ear evaluation and cleaning
  • Histopathology service for microscopic evaluation of skin disease
  • Immediate consultation with full range of other specialists in the hospital for problems not related to the skin or affecting other organ systems

Common Conditions

  • Acral lick dermatitis ("lick granuloma")
  • Autoimmune skin diseases
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Bacterial skin infections
  • Claw disorders
  • Dermatophytosis ("ringworm")
  • Demodicosis ("mange")
  • Eosinophilic granuloma complex in cats
  • Flea allergy dermatitis
  • Food allergies
  • Fungal skin infections
  • Hormonal conditions
  • Hypercortisolism ("Cushing’s syndrome)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Insect Hypersensitivity
  • Miliary dermatitis in cats
  • Nodular skin disease
  • Otitis externa and media
  • Scaling disorders
  • Yeast (Malassezia) skin infections

Clinicians

Interns

  • Margaret Cassandra

Residents

Technicians

  • Deb Crosier, RVT, Service Coordinator

Payment

Payment is expected at the time of your visit. Please read our payment policy for complete information.

Dermatology and Otology Wish List