Dermatology

Pet Dermatology — Skin, Ear & Allergy Care | Long Island, NY

West Hills Animal Hospital & Emergency Center | 800 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743 | (631) 351-6116

Skin conditions are one of the most common reasons pets visit the veterinarian — and one of the most commonly mismanaged. The problem is almost never the itch itself. The itch is a symptom of something else: an allergy, a bacterial infection, a yeast overgrowth, a parasite, a hormonal imbalance, or sometimes several of these at once. Treating the itch without identifying the cause means the problem returns — sometimes worse — every time.

At West Hills Animal Hospital, our approach to dermatology is diagnostic first. We identify the root cause before we reach for a treatment, and we build a management plan designed for your specific pet’s condition, triggers, and lifestyle.

Conditions We Diagnose and Treat

Allergic Skin Disease

Environmental allergies (atopy)

Pollens, mold, dust mites — common in Long Island's seasonal environment.

Food allergies

Protein or ingredient sensitivities causing skin and GI symptoms.

Flea allergy dermatitis

Even one flea bite can trigger a significant reaction in sensitive pets.

Ear Disease

Otitis externa

Outer ear canal infections — often secondary to allergies.

Recurrent ear infections

a sign of an underlying condition, not just bad luck.

Ear mites

Common in cats; highly contagious between pets.

Infections

Bacterial (pyoderma)

Secondary infections on top of allergic or irritated skin.

Fungal/yeast (Malassezia)

Particularly in skin folds, ears, and between toes.

Ringworm

A fungal infection, not a parasite — contagious to humans.

Other Conditions

Parasitic skin disease

Mange (Sarcoptes, Demodex), cheyletiellosis.

Hormonal skin conditions

Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease causing coat and skin changes.

Autoimmune skin disease

Pemphigus and other immune-mediated conditions.

Our Diagnostic Approach

Skin conditions require methodical investigation. We do not guess. The following diagnostics help us identify the specific cause of your pet’s condition before choosing a treatment path:

Skin cytology: microscopic evaluation of skin cells to identify bacteria, yeast, or inflammatory cells
Deep skin scraping: to detect mites and other parasitic causes
Fungal culture: to confirm or rule out ringworm
Allergy testing: intradermal skin testing or serum allergy testing to identify environmental allergens
Elimination diet trial: a controlled dietary protocol to diagnose food allergies — typically 8-12 weeks
Bloodwork and thyroid screening: to rule out hormonal causes of skin disease
Biopsy: when indicated by unusual or persistent skin lesions that do not respond to standard therapy

Your Pet Deserves the Best. We Are Ready Right Now.

800 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743 | Open 24/7, 365 days a year | (631) 351-6116