The Derm Vet Podcast

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In this week's podcast episode, I get to interview Allison Inga, DVM, DACVD who practices at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Robbinsville, NJ. We take a practical, clinician-focused look at the latest guidelines from the International Society of for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) on the use of topical therapy in managing bacterial skin infections.
Topical therapy is no longer just an adjunct — it’s a central component of antimicrobial stewardship in dermatology. We review how the ISCAID guidelines support cytology-driven diagnosis, when topical therapy can be used as sole treatment, and how it helps reduce systemic antibiotic use in cases of superficial pyoderma and Malassezia dermatitis. 
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – Dr. Inga 
03:50 – Advantages of Topical Therapy in Pyoderma Cases
05:40 – Evidence of Using Chlorhexidine Percentages
08:22 – Factors to Consider In Chlorhexidine Cases
09:30 – Other Topical Anti-Septics to Consider
10:44 – Diluting Bleach 
13:50 – Addressing Concerns Around Bleach
15:00 – Topical Antibiotic Use
17:26 – Efficacy of Topical Therapy
21:20 – Simple Things That Yield Good Results
23:10 – Concurrent Use
26:10 – Outro

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This is the last installment in our series of DERM DRUGS. Monoclonal antibodies are becoming an important tool in veterinary dermatology — but what are they, and how do they actually work?
In this episode, we break down monoclonal antibody therapy in practical terms. We explain how these targeted treatments are designed to recognize and block specific molecules in the immune system, helping reduce itch in allergic dogs without broadly suppressing immunity.
We discuss commonly used products like Cytopoint which targets IL-31, a key cytokine involved in pruritus. We also introduce the announcement of an upcoming (not yet released) product called Befrena, another monoclonal antibody therapy, and what we know about this therapy today.
00:00 – Intro
02:07 – What is a Monoclonal Antibody
03:18 – Cytopoint Basics
05:35 – Potential Side-Effects
06:33 – Befrena Basics
08:44 – Overview
09:22 – Outro

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Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have become a cornerstone in managing pruritic and allergic skin disease in dogs by targeting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which transmits itch and inflammatory cytokine signals. With so many medications hitting the market, it is important to understand the differences between all of the different JAK inhibitors in veterinary medicine.

Apoquel (oclacitinib) has been in the veterinary field the longest with over a decade of use. However, Zenrelia (ilunocitinib) has been available in many countries for over a year. Additionally, Numelvi (atinvicitinib) has recently become available in Europe and will hit the market in the United States very soon (with others to follow). 

Learn about the differences in these medications and why it is important to become comfortable with all of them on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:35 JAK Inhibitor Basics
02:35 What are JAK Receptors
03:31 Apoquel and Zenrelia 
05:20 Numelvi 
07:57 How To Tell If a Pet Is Atopic 
09:12 Are JAK Inhibitors Safe with Neoplasia
11:32 What Does JAK Selectivity Mean 
13:47 Common Side-Effects of JAK Inhibitors 
17:01 Using JAK Inhibitors Off-Label
18:51 Outro

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In veterinary dermatology, gram-negative rods like Pseudomonas, E. coli, Proteus, etc. can develop in chronic or deep skin infections. When systemic therapy is needed, culture and sensitivity are essential. But what are some of the more common antibiotics that are effective against these nasty bugs?
Common options include fluoroquinolones, potentiated penicillins, later-generation cephalosporins, etc. These organisms are frequently multidrug-resistant so appropriate diagnostics and re-evaluation is crucial.
Learn more as we continue our current series on DERM DRUGS on this week's podcast!
00:00 – Intro
01:36 – General Things to Keep in Mind
03:49 – The Importance of Topical Therapy
05:31 – Systemic Therapy Options
06:38 – Antibiotic Choices
10:35 – Last Resort Antibiotics
12:44 – Overview
13:39 – Outro

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When a senior dog walks in with multiple lumps and bumps, the big question becomes: which ones actually need a needle? And how do we make those decisions when time, finances, and patient comfort all matter?

In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I take a break from the Derm Drugs series to dive into an exciting new diagnostic technology... VISTA iQ. This conversation features Dr. Liron Levy-Hirsch (managing director for HT VET), who breaks down exactly what VISTA iQ is, how it works, and why it may be a game-changer for evaluating multiple masses in dogs.
Timestamps
02:29 What Does Vista IQ Do?
04:03 Why Was This Tech Needed?
06:07 The Basics of HT Vista
08:17 The Practical Applications
10:46 How the Science Works
11:56 Process Efficiency
13:15 Limitations of the Vista IQ
15:21 How It Fits With Existing Tools
16:28 Final Thoughts
18:37 Outro