WHERE do we see skin problems, and WHAT might they look like?

WHAT: Skin problems can look like ANYTHING, because there are so many different kinds of skin issues! And because there's just so much of it...

Even well-controlled allergy patients are expected to have occasional flares of their itching when they are inevitably exposed to suddenly higher levels of some of their triggers (pollen or grass in Spring/Fall, fleas, household cleaners causing contact dermatitis, foods the pet is allergic to, etc).

Now that you know allergies are an issue, how do you know if your pet is itching?! Tell-tale signs of an itchy dog aren't all as obvious as you may think! Most pet owners think that if their dog isn't scratching themselves, they're not itchy.

We see itchy dogs COUNTLESS times a day, and itchy kitties about a few times a week. Itchy pets, just like itchy people, need some diagnostic tests and some trial-and-error to get their treatments right.

Exotic animals like rabbits, reptiles, guinea pigs, and mice require special veterinary care that's somewhat different from the care your dog or cat receives. For example, lizards and iguanas are susceptible to fungal infections and parasites, as well as many husbandry-related illnesses.

Intestinal parasites in pets include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and other even smaller organisms such as protozoa. These can be transmitted via contaminated water or food or when a pet eats an infested flea.

The incidence of heartworm infection is rising in the United States, according to the American Heartworm Society. Heartworm is a parasitic worm, transmitted by mosquitoes, that can affect your dog, ferret, and even cat.

Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and living a long life. It starts with early shots. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to some dangerous diseases once they are weaned from their mothers. However, good wellness vaccines don't end there. 

Keeping your pet healthy and prepared for a long life takes a community and dedication. Just getting your pet neutered or spayed and having them vaccinated against common feline or canine diseases isn't enough... although it's a really good start!

The majority of reptile illnesses stem from poor husbandry. It is very important to know exactly how to care for a reptile before taking the leap of purchasing one.

Dr. DiGiuseppi grew up on Staten Island and received his Bachelor's degree in Biology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University completing his clinical year at University of Florida.

As a pet owner, you and your furry friend will experience many firsts: some experiences will be exciting and fun; and some may be stressful.

App & Client Loyalty Program

Our app allows us to extend even further the care and service we provide to our clients and their pets. We know your pets are an important part of your family and being able to manage their care and veterinary needs more efficiently would make your life easier.

Now offering a surgery-free, drug-free noninvasive treatment for pain relief and inflammation
We offer the latest technology in health care for your pet. Our Companion Therapy Laser is an FDA-cleared deep penetrating light that allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates the injured cells to heal at a faster rate.

What is canine flu?
Canine influenza is a newly identified respiratory illness of dogs. It is caused by a virus which is closely related to the horse flu virus. Because canine flu is an emerging disease, dogs have no natural immunity to it.