Dermatology


The Dermatology service at Southfields treats conditions that affect pets’ skin, ears, feet and nails. We work closely with other services, like our Oncology and Internal Medicine services, to investigate the potential underlying causes of more complex dermatology cases.

In the hands of experts

The most common skin diseases in pets referred to us for treatment include otitis externa/media, parasitic, and fungal conditions. We also carry out allergy investigation, including intradermal allergy testing.

Our consultations are thorough. The dermatologist will take a full history and examine your pet. Where appropriate, we will then take samples and carry out any necessary tests to reach a rapid diagnosis. With full diagnostic microscopy and cytology facilities on-site, these follow-up stages are invariably undertaken on the same day as the consultation. Given that most skin conditions are of a chronic nature, re-examinations are usually required both to check how any prescribed treatment is progressing and to reassure pet owners that everything is moving in the right direction.

All eventualities catered for

Most dermatology patients receive treatment as outpatients. When required for procedures, your pet would be admitted to the hospital for the day and be discharged later that same day. On the rare occasions where an overnight stay might be appropriate, Southfields provides high-quality care of the first order; nurses and other clinical support staff are present 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Sometimes dermatological conditions are symptomatic of other underlying diseases, such as endocrine or neoplastic disease and present with secondary skin lesions. In more complex dermatology cases, our veterinary Dermatology team will work closely with our multi-disciplinary Specialist team – covering Internal Medicine, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Soft Tissue Surgery and Neurology services – to address the potential causes of the condition. In addition, access to our Specialists in Soft Tissue Surgery allows for the surgical management of appropriate cases, such as excessive skin folds and some ear diseases.

How our Dermatology Service can help

Conditions we treat:

  • Endocrinopathies
  • Immune mediated skin disease
  • Recurrent otitis externa
  • Parasitic skin disease
  • Recurrent or unresponsive pyoderma
  • Skin neoplasia (in conjunction with our oncology department)
  • Undiagnosed pruritis and hair loss
  • Undiagnosed skin lesions

Diagnostic services we offer:

  • In-house diagnostic microscopy and cytology
  • Intradermal allergy testing for dogs and cats with atopic dermatitis
  • In-house laboratory to undertake histopathology and microbial culturing under controlled conditions

Advanced diagnostic facilities include:

  • State-of-the-art video-otoscope for recurrent otitis investigation
  • Specialist-led advanced diagnostic imaging, including CT scanning, and MRI with bespoke protocols to investigate all types of dermatological disease

Our Dermatology Team

Our Dermatology team leader, Filippo De Bellis, is an RCVS and European Specialist in dermatology with over 15 years’ experience in veterinary dermatology. Filippo has been an Honorary Lecturer in Veterinary Dermatology at Liverpool University and Ross University (St. Kitts), and is a Past President of the British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group. Our Dermatology team work closely with our in-house diagnosticians and clinicians from our other disciplines in the management and treatment of dermatology cases. Our Nursing and Patient Care Assistants are on hand to assist the Dermatology team in caring for their patients.



"Southfields Veterinary Specialists are life enhancers, central to their work ethic is maintaining the welfare of the animals treating them holistically with both dignity and respect. We cannot thank them enough!"

Susie & Callum Riches, Maylandsea