How do you know when it’s time to take your French Bulldog to a veterinary dermatologist? Some veterinarians will openly recommend visiting a specialist if they feel stumped about your Frenchie’s condition. In other cases, you may have to make the decision on your own.
I like to think that my regular veterinarian can handle everything related to my Frenchie’s health, but the truth is that sometimes you need to see a specialist. There are countless skin infections and issues that a regular vet cannot diagnose. In which case, your French Bulldog may require the specialized eye of a veterinary dermatologist.
What is a Veterinary Dermatologist
A Veterinary Dermatologist is a veterinarian with specialty training and expertise in diagnosing and treating skin, ear, nail, hoof, and mouth ailments. Not all veterinary offices have a dermatologist on staff. You may need to visit a specialty pet hospital to make an appointment. Ask your veterinarian if he or she has any good recommendations.
Veterinary dermatologists can perform allergy tests on Frenchie’s to uncover exactly what your Frenchie is allergic to. A veterinary dermatologist is also trained to diagnose underlying infections and rare conditions. Which leads us to the first sign your Frenchie should visit a vet who specializes in dermatology…
1. Your Regular Vet Doesn’t Have The Answers
Have you tried everything your veterinarian has recommended without any sign of improvement? Is your vet still unsure what the underlying cause of the issue relates to? If you answer ‘yes’ to either question, you might want to consider visiting a veterinary dermatologist.
2. Your Frenchie’s Condition is Not Improving
If your French Bulldog’s skin condition is not getting better or appears to be getting worse, it might be time to visit a veterinary dermatologist. Keep in mind, skin irritations like infections can cause discomfort, which leads to itching, breaks in the skin, and a greater likelihood of secondary infection. In other words, the longer you wait, the worse the problem could become.
3. The Problem is Reoccurring or Chronic
If ear, skin, or paw problems again and again, or have been diagnosed as a chronic condition, it might be worth investing in a visit with a veterinary dermatologist. They may have new insight, solutions, and treatment methods that could help.
4. Your Frenchie Has Been Diagnosed With a Rare Disease
If your regular veterinarian has limited experience working with your French Bulldog’s condition, it might be worth visiting a specialist to learn more about how you can better your pup’s situation.
5. Your Frenchie Has Allergies but You Don’t Know What They are Allergic to
Veterinary dermatologists have the tools to test for specific allergies in Frenchies. While there is some controversy over the consistent accuracy of these results, testing for allergies can still offer valuable insight.
