Most residencies are conducted at University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals. Skin diseases of all species of animals are studied, including dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, small exotic mammals, zoo animals, birds, reptiles, and even some human diseases. Complete a series of written presentations which are reviewed by a committee of board certified dermatologists. Pass a rigorous series of exams in order to prove competency in all areas of veterinary dermatology. Most of the allergic disease that occurs in dogs and cats affects the skin.
Horses express allergy through both the skin and respiratory tract, in about equal proportions.
The dermatologist can also provide help to the respiratory allergy patient by offering allergy testing services, which few internal medicine specialists are set up to provide. Some of the most common are Staph. This group of problems falls under the expertise of the dermatologist, which is different from the situation in human medicine. Disease included in this group include lupus, pemphigus, uveodermatitis syndrome, and epidermolysis bullosa. There are many internal problems that can cause skin diseases, including diseases of the liver, pancreas, hormone-producing glands, and gastrointestinal tract.