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Dermatology

Dermatological problems—diseases of the skin, hair, nails, and ears—are quite common in dogs and cats. There are numerous skin diseases in companion animals that may have a similar clinical appearance, which makes timely, accurate diagnosis imperative. Our team at LIVS is equipped to address the dermatologic issues that your pet is experiencing.

Getting to the root of the problem...

The skin conditions we see

The following is a list of common skin conditions that we diagnose and treat:

  • Adverse drug reactions
  • Allergic skin disease (atopy)
  • Alopecia (hair loss)
  • Autoimmune skin disease
  • Bacterial skin disease (pyoderma)
  • Ear disease (otitis)
  • Endocrine dermatoses
  • Flea allergy dermatitis
  • Fungal skin disease
  • Genetic and congenital skin diseases
  • Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis)
  • Immune-mediated dermatoses
  • Metabolic skin disease (calcinosis cutis, hepatocutaneous syndrome)
  • Neoplastic (cancer-associated) and paraneoplastic skin disease
  • Nail and/or foot pad disorders
  • Parasitic skin disease (demodicosis, scabies, cheyletiellosis)
  • Pododermatitis (foot disease)
  • Yeast infections

A thorough approach to managing skin conditions.

Skin disorders often reflect underlying medical conditions affecting certain internal organs or body systems. Other skin abnormalities are due to trauma and may require corrective surgical (reconstructive) procedures. 

Getting Treatment: What To Expect

We start with obtaining a detailed history of your pet’s condition and a performing a thorough physical examination. Depending on your pet’s symptoms, we may perform a variety of diagnostic tests that may include:

  • Allergy testing
  • Allergy shots
  • Skin cytology (cells are examined under a microscope)
  • Skin biopsies 
  • Dermatohistopathology evaluation
  • Bacterial cultures and sensitivity testing
  • Skin scrapings


Our team will consult with a board-certified dermatologist via telemedicine who will review your pet’s history, skin images and diagnostic results, and will provide recommendations for treatment and possible further diagnostics. Long-term management is often required for chronic skin conditions, and our staff provides the ongoing support that your pet— and you — require. Call us at
(516) 501-1700 to get started today.

All dermatology cases seen at LIVS are reviewed by a board certified dermatologist via telemedicine.

Dermatology Team

Dr. Baluvelt_LIVS in Plainview NY

Christian Blauvelt, DVM

Special Interest in Dermatology
Dermatology & Allergy