This toolkit delivers articles, tips, handouts, videos and tools all designed to make it as easy as possible to discuss dermatology issues with your team and clients. (With an educational grant provided by Zoetis)
Licking, itching, scratching, biting, head-shaking, red-hot sore spots ... dermatology cases are beyond uncomfortable for the pet, the owner and often, the veterinary team. They can be confounding and frustrating for everyone (not to mention, every pet) involved. But here at dvm360, we're trying to change things up by encouraging you to approach your dermatology cases armed with all the tools you might need to bring about sweet relief from all that scratching.
Check out the long list of tools below designed to help you and your team educate pet owners about the importance of recognizing skin and ear conditions in pets.
First up-articles and tips
Are you making these common mistakes in your dermatology workups? Find out.
Why it's so freaking important to take a complete dermatologic history.
Get to the bottom of feline facial dermatitis.
Treating otitis-here are 3 expert tips from Dr. Craig Griffin.
A super-important breakthrough for allergic patients? Sublingual immunotherapy.
Audio and video tools
> Key history findings that point to canine atopy
> Using a toothbrush to gather dermatologic samples
> Should you stop recommending that clients clean their dogs' ears prophylactically?
> An essential question veterinarians should ask for itchy pets
> Canine demodectic mange: A few treatment provisos
> Mite matters: Diagnostic and treatment tips for canine demodectic mange
> Trippingly under the tongue: The benefits of sublingual immunotherapy
For the team
> Top 5 dermatology questions clients ask technicians
> 3 steps to ease itchy ears in your veterinary patients
Handouts! Handouts! Client handouts!
> Speed up dermatology examinations by answering these five questions
> 4 things to know about a pet's skin issues
> Understanding sores on pets' skin
> What's with the lick?
Get social
Understanding the ear itch: Posts and tweets explaining otitis
Even more great tools below...
Articles and tips
> Helpful hints for the successful veterinary treatment of canine atopy
> CVC Highlight: Relieving the itch and pain of ear infections
> Doing right by dermatology patients
> Dermatology: Top questions technicians ask about diagnostic testing
> Idea Exchange: Easier ear medication distribution
Use these pre-written Facebook posts and tweets about otitis externa to help clients understand what could be causing their pet's head-shaking and ear-scratching. (That's right. It's social media outreach made easy!)
Image quiz
What's causing this dog's repetitive lacerations? Test your clinical skills by reviewing the images and making the diagnosis.
> Fragile, hyperextensible skin in a dog
Video corner
Watch and listen to expert advice on diagnostic steps and treatment strategies for common skin diseases.
> Mimics for autoimmune skin diseases
> A golden retriever's surprising diagnosis
> Diagnosing fungal skin disease
Team tactics
Make sure each member of your team is prepared to help clients with their pets' skin conditions.
> Allergy testing: What's each team member's role?
Sample script
Keep clients from sabotaging their pet's food trial by explaining the importance of at-home compliance.
> Help clients complete a diet trial
Ready-to-use handouts
Take advantage of these handouts to reinforce your message to clients about caring for their pets' common skin problems.
> What to do for my dog's itchy, sore ears?
> Answers to your most burning questions on ear and skin infections
More dermatology tools ...
Articles and tips
> How to perform and interpret dermatophyte cultures
> Image Quiz: A bulldog with erythematous plaques
> Image Quiz: A pit bull with bullous lesions
> Image Quiz: The case of the crusty cat
> Image Quiz: The case of the blind Akita
> "Gross" dermatology images educate clients
The dvm360 social media marketing kit for dermatology
Video clips
> Client education for dermatology diagnoses
> Keys to a great dermatology visit
Sample script
> Top dermatology questions clients ask technicians
Ready-to-use handouts
> Ask good questions to get better answers
> Environmental control of infectious disease
> The facts about pemphigus foliaceus
> At-home tips for diet trials
Communication tips for techs
Take the next step
Use these four strategies to properly manage dermatology issues in practice.