Pet Derm: Allergy, Skin, and Ear Specialists
Pet Derm: Allergy, Skin, and Ear Specialists is a general practice practice in Chicago, IL.
About
Pet Derm is a veterinary dermatology and ear specialty clinic in Chicago, IL, offering advanced care for pets with skin and ear conditions. Their veterinary dermatologists provide cutting-edge treatments, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser procedures, cryotherapy, and various forms of allergen-specific immunotherapy. The clinic also utilizes video-otoscopy for detailed ear examinations and procedures.
The clinic serves pets in Chicago, IL, and the surrounding areas, collaborating with primary care veterinarians to ensure comprehensive patient management. They focus on developing personalized diagnostic and treatment plans for each pet, aiming to improve the quality of life for the entire family.
Photos
Photos via Google · Lindsay Bauer, Selina A., MK, Catie Moore, Camille Gifford
Frequently asked questions
- What types of allergy testing does Pet Derm offer?
- Pet Derm offers several methods for allergy testing, including serum (blood test) and intradermal allergy testing. For suspected food allergies, they utilize elimination diet trials, which are considered the current standard for diagnosing cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. They do not recommend blood, saliva, or hair samples for food allergy testing due to lack of validity.
- What advanced procedures are available for ear conditions?
- Pet Derm provides advanced procedures for various ear conditions, including chronic ear infections, otitis media/interna, ear masses, and primary secretory otitis media. Utilizing video-otoscopy, they can perform less invasive procedures such as deep ear cleanings and ear growth removals. Dr. Nellie Choi specifically performs deep ear flushes via video otoscopy.
- What types of immunotherapy are offered for pet allergies?
- Pet Derm offers several types of allergen-specific immunotherapy to manage pet allergies. These include subcutaneous immunotherapy, which involves injections given under the skin, and sublingual immunotherapy, an oral treatment. They also provide intralymphatic immunotherapy, where injections are given directly into a lymph node, and RUSH immunotherapy. Dr. Levinson was an early adopter of intralymphatic immunotherapy for cats and dogs.
- What should a pet owner expect during an initial consultation at Pet Derm?
- During an initial consultation, pet owners should expect a detailed history intake and a thorough physical exam by Dr. Levinson. It is recommended to complete the new patient intake form beforehand. The consultation typically lasts 60-90 minutes. Dr. Levinson may perform a skin or ear cytology and will develop a treatment plan, potentially recommending further diagnostics like biopsies, allergy testing, or video otoscopy, which may be scheduled for a separate visit.
- Who are the board-certified veterinary dermatologists at Pet Derm?
- Pet Derm's team includes board-certified veterinary dermatologists. Dr. Matthew Levinson is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Dr. Nellie Choi is a diplomate of both the Asian College of Veterinary Dermatology (AiCVD) and the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). Dr. Morgan Mathai, who completed a dermatology residency, is also part of the team.