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Live, Learn, Vet Organized and targeted online courses for veterinarians. Created by a DACVD Membership

Medication Masters is the jam. If you are a veterinarian who treats allergic dogs, this course reviews how to use medica...
31/01/2025

Medication Masters is the jam. If you are a veterinarian who treats allergic dogs, this course reviews how to use medication to treat individual special snowflakes in the right way! No more "let's try Apoquel". Now it's "Apoquel is a good fit for your dog because ___".

I got you.

🚨 Cross-Contamination: Why It’s a Big Deal for Food-Allergic Dogs 🚨When it comes to managing food allergies in dogs, one...
15/01/2025

🚨 Cross-Contamination: Why It’s a Big Deal for Food-Allergic Dogs 🚨

When it comes to managing food allergies in dogs, one small detail can make a huge difference: cross-contamination. 🥜❌ Here’s the thing—just a tiny amount of an allergen can be enough to trigger a reaction in a food-allergic dog. That’s why it’s not just about what you feed, but also how it’s handled.

Think about it like this: if you’re preparing a “chicken-free” meal but the food was manufactured in a facility that also processes chicken, those traces could still set off your dog’s immune system. 😬 And, nearly all foods produced commercially will have a high likelihood of cross-contamination due to how food is made.

💡 Pro Tip: When choosing a diet for a food-allergic dog, always opt for products with strict manufacturing practices to prevent cross-contamination. Look for terms like “dedicated facility” or consult your veterinarian for the best options. 🐾🔍

🐾 A prescription food is often the best choice due to the strict manufacturing guidelines they adhere to for reducing cross-contamination.

Food allergies are complex, but managing them doesn’t have to feel impossible. By controlling what’s in your dog’s bowl (and keeping sneak cross-contamination allergens out of the picture), you’re one step closer to better control and fewer flare-ups. 🧠❤️

👉 Have questions about food allergies or cross-contamination? Drop them below—I’m here to help you navigate this journey!

Itch (pruritus) is a common manifestation of allergic disease in dogs. But, not every itchy dog is allergic. This is a *...
10/01/2025

Itch (pruritus) is a common manifestation of allergic disease in dogs. But, not every itchy dog is allergic. This is a *key* point for all pet owners, groomers, and veterinarians to hear. Why?

It emphasizes this important point:

Allergic disease is diagnosed by exclusion.

What does this mean?

🐾 It means that a veterinarian needs to spend time with you and your dog diving into the history of the symptoms that your dog is experiencing to be able to determine if the pattern fits with allergy or something else.
🎯 It means that we might take time to rule out parasitic issues ( ) before we get into the weeds with allergy management
🐩 It means we will take into account your dog's breed, age, and lifestyle to help make the best medical decisions for them
💓 It means that sometimes referral is necessary to ensure the best, most accurate diagnosis is made for your dog or patient. Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologists are here to help you - www.acvd.org to find one near you!

Follow tomorrow for a case-based example of this!

The diagnostic diet trial is a potentially life-changing experience for dogs and their owners. Brody's owner is sharing ...
09/01/2025

The diagnostic diet trial is a potentially life-changing experience for dogs and their owners. Brody's owner is sharing that below. There are about 38472 questions about nutrition and allergic dogs. Luckily, I can answer most of those questions for you.

Let's start here.

Food allergy in dogs is a complex immunologic reaction that occurs because of sensitization to food antigens. These food antigens are often peptide-based structures that are the products of protein breakdown (digestion). For example, when kids are allergic to "peanuts" they are actually usually allergic to the specific peanut peptide Ara-h-1. When it comes to dogs, we can see various protein peptides that the body becomes sensitized to - such as chicken, beef, or salmon peptides.

To make a diagnosis of food allergy, we must rely on a test called the diagnostic diet trial. To date, there is no other test available that can accurately diagnose this condition. So, remove all of those saliva/fur/blood "food allergy tests" from your cart. Save yourself that wasted money. These tests tell you nothing about your dog's condition.

Instead, work with a veterinarian to perform an elimination food trial to a diagnostic standard.

What does that look like?
🎯 Stricly fed for 8 weeks
🐤 Novel protein, better yet hydrolyzed protein
🐾 Prescription food to reduce any risk of cross-contamination

I have so much more to say about diet trials. But, I want to be sure it's exactly what you want to hear/learn about. What questions do you have about nutrition and canine allergy? Comment below.

I loved this little testimonial from Dr. Levine! She just finished the Cat Course, and went on to say this: "Dr. Painter...
05/01/2025

I loved this little testimonial from Dr. Levine! She just finished the Cat Course, and went on to say this:

"Dr. Painter's excitement about the material and her commitment to helping the primary vet succeed is obvious. I totally needed this breakdown of topics again now that I am 15 years into practice and just need to hold onto some pearls from her lectures."

💓 "helping the primary vet succeed" -- YES.
⚖ "breakdown of topics" - YES.
🎯 "15 years into practice" - YES.
😎"hold onto the pearls" - YES.

Loved the recognition that I am really here to help anyone involved in the care of allergic dogs (and cats!).

Check out my site - and stay tuned for some big, exciting changes and offers in 2025! 🔥🐾

What do you want to learn more about? COMMENT BELOW! 💓

🐾 Let’s talk about how breed matters when it comes to dermatology! 🧠Dermatologic conditions often have breed-specific te...
04/01/2025

🐾 Let’s talk about how breed matters when it comes to dermatology! 🧠

Dermatologic conditions often have breed-specific tendencies that can give us invaluable clues. I lecture on these tendencies, because I believe that pattern recognition is a skill that can help veterinarians and pet owners understand what to expect when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and more! The more you know about the pattern, the better you can be about determining when/if something doesn't fit the pattern (averting the dreaded misdiagnosis) and about determining how to best treat a specific problem (avoiding mismatch for medical management).


For example:
Bulldogs with their skin fold intertrigo and inflammatory pododermatitis 🪞
German Shepherds prone to exfoliative dermatitis and pyoderma 🛡️
Cocker Spaniels with their highly inflammatory otitis externa 🎶

These patterns are real. And, can be game-changing when you really allow yourself to see breed-specific manifestations as a pattern worthy of recognizing; especially for allergic disease.

When we match a dog’s breed with their likely dermatologic challenges, our goal for targeted care is more easily reached. That means faster relief for your patients and happier outcomes for their humans. 🙌🐶

✨ Is this a thing that you do in your practice? Do you feel like there's still a breed that surprises you? Labs with pododeratitis? Cockapoos with a**l sacculitis? Let’s compare notes—drop it below! 👇🐾

Another graduate, another amazing review! This one really filled my cup! When was the last time you said "I can't wait f...
24/12/2024

Another graduate, another amazing review! This one really filled my cup! When was the last time you said "I can't wait for some allergy dogs to walk through the door"? Been awhile? That's okay, I got you.

This just in from Dr. Walters who finished one of my veterianry courses! I love to share the love. One thing that she as...
22/12/2024

This just in from Dr. Walters who finished one of my veterianry courses! I love to share the love. One thing that she asked for is a course about topical therapy and to include an update on . It is as if she read my mind...😎

Working on updates right now. And, these updates will for sure be in the new and improved Medication Masters for veterinarians! 🐾🎯🐩

What else do you want to learn about? 💓

I just saw an email come through about a case where the ear infection is worse despite using some new ear drops. Is this...
19/12/2024

I just saw an email come through about a case where the ear infection is worse despite using some new ear drops. Is this your story too?

Ear infections are a complex issue. I feel strongly about being a thought leader in this space to help shift the mindset from "infection first" to "inflammation first". 🔥

Infection, or dysbiosis, does not occur in a vacuum. Your dog did not develop their ear infection out of nowhere. They developed their ear infection because they had a CAUSE for that infection, or dysbiosis, to occur. That *cause* is usually inflammation.

Examples of inflammation leading to secondary infection include food allergy, environmental allergy, foreign body (ex - grass in ear), tumors, topical reactions, and so many more.

In my world as a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist® I see infections that are seemingly impossible to clear. Ear infections. Skin infections. Both. What do I do first? I ask myself "where is the inflammation coming from?". I don't try new drops. I don't get a culture swab. I don't clean the ear more. I identify and treat inflammation. And....it works.

If you are a with a dog who has an - you should follow me for more guidance and resources. Wait until you see what is coming in 2025!

If you are a who sees dogs with in your grooming shop - you should follow me for more guidance and resources. Wait until you see what is coming for *you* in 2025!

And, if you are a - I am thrilled to expand my offerings to include a course about ears just for you in 2025. Lots to come! Lots in store!

I am here to help more dogs. I can do that by teaching you important strategies and mindset shifts around how we think about and treat

Anaphylaxis. It's the kind of word that makes your heart skip a beat when you hear it—and for good reason. This life-thr...
17/12/2024

Anaphylaxis. It's the kind of word that makes your heart skip a beat when you hear it—and for good reason. This life-threatening allergic reaction can happen in dogs too, and one surprising culprit? Storage mites. 🐾❄️

Let’s talk about it:

⚡ What is anaphylaxis?
It’s an acute, severe allergic reaction that can cause symptoms like vomiting, swelling, trouble breathing, and collapse. In dogs, it’s a true emergency requiring immediate care.

⚖️ What are storage mites?
These microscopic critters love to hide in dry pet food and treats, especially when improperly stored. For dogs with severe food allergies, storage mites can act as a trigger, setting off everything from mild itching to full-blown anaphylaxis.

❄️ Why freezing helps:
By freezing dry kibble or treats, you can significantly reduce storage mites, helping protect dogs with allergies from unexpected reactions.

🐶 Stevie’s story inspires us all:
With the right strategy—freezing her food—she’s gone a full year without an episode of anaphylactic shock. 🙌 That’s a win worth celebrating and a reminder of how simple adjustments can make a huge difference for our allergic patients.

🌟 Allergies are complex, but with teamwork and proactive care, we can manage them effectively. Want to learn more about storage mites or other allergy triggers? Drop your questions below or share your experience! 🐾👇

I love checking in on my patients. Here's why? 🎯 It's better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to managing all...
14/12/2024

I love checking in on my patients.

Here's why?

🎯 It's better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to managing allergic dogs. Catching a flare early, recognizing a pattern, or reinforcing what's working are all components of successful management of allergic disease. This is a chronic, relapsing condition. Supporting owners in that is a part of my job that I take very seriously.

💎 I like good news too! It's awesome to hear that things are going well, and not always spend your day just fixing problems. I love an update that is positive!

🥰 Some dog owners don't want to bother me with a little issue, or just don't know when they should reach out for advice. Taking the ownership of check-ins can really help dog owners feel more comfortable reaching out when there is a problem.

🐾 It helps my brain not have to wonder about 3.6 million patients at a time (okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but there are a lot of special snowflake patients that I see!). I know that I have email check-ins planned for everyone who needs them. And, so that helps my brain relax a little when I am not at work! A key part of work-life-balance as a busy Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist® .angell.

POV: You have a food allergic dog and you're the host this holiday. "Oh, sorry, don't feed him that" 🧀"Oh, nope, even th...
14/12/2024

POV: You have a food allergic dog and you're the host this holiday.

"Oh, sorry, don't feed him that" 🧀
"Oh, nope, even that, can't have it" 🍗
"Yeah, he will get diarrhea, please don't" 💩
"Yup, I am well aware that when you were a kid dogs ate scraps and were fine" 🥓
"Hey guys just please don't feed the dog" 🍕
"I know his eyes say yes, but his ears say NO" 🥹
"How about we celebrate at your house next year" 🤣

Solidarity.

POV: You're a veterinarian who used to be confused and overwhelmed by all things   and now you are cruising through appo...
13/12/2024

POV: You're a veterinarian who used to be confused and overwhelmed by all things and now you are cruising through appointments and helping dogs left and right.

It is important for us all to be on the same page when it comes to symptom recognition for  . This is why I so appreciat...
11/12/2024

It is important for us all to be on the same page when it comes to symptom recognition for . This is why I so appreciate when a pet owner comes in to say that their pointed out an issue that they saw! We are all on the same team! And, working together to spot and manage issues that come up with our patients is essential.

Here is why collaboration with a groomer is a great idea for pet owners:

☑ Groomers are trained to care for the skin and hair coat of dogs. Some groomers receive advanced training to ensure that they are providing optimal care for dogs with allergies. More tips coming on how to find the best groomer for your dog!

📣 Having another set of eyes on your dog can make a big difference! Sometimes it is hard to know when there is a flare up if you are looking at your dog every day! A set of eyes every 4 weeks can really help to spot specific changes.

🥰 It takes a village to manage the care of allergic dogs! It is important to know that the care burden for managing allergies is high. Having help ensures that you don't get too overwhelmed in the care process.

I love how collaborative my focus is. We are all in this together!

If you are a , share some of your positive experiences with your amazing groomers! Let's share the love!

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