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Integrative Dermatology

If the “eyes are the windows to the soul”, it is said that the skin and hair coat are the windows to the condition of the body as a whole.

Many of our pets are afflicted with diseases of their skin and of their hair coat. Of the many problems that exist, the most commonly seen problem is that of allergies. Many veterinarians who have been in practice for many years such as Dr's Silver and Sanderlin believe that we are experiencing an epidemic in animal allergies.

Some believe that the cause of this up-surgance of allergies in pets is the overly aggressive vaccination programs that have been in place for many years. Others believe that allergies are the result of the grains in commercial foods. And there are others who feel that our overuse of antibiotics has led to this problem of the immune system being out of balance.

Whatever the causes, because the skin and hair coat are reflections of the health of the body as a whole, integrative dermatology, which addresses the body as a whole can produce much more successful clinical outcomes than conventional dermatology alone.

Integrative dermatology looks at factors that influence allergies such as diet, vaccination history, and the presence of “Leaky Gut.”  Leaky Gut is caused by antibiotics and other factors. Leaky Gut is when the bowel wall inappropriately leaks antigens, toxins and bacteria from the food and digestive material into the systemic circulation. It stimulates the immune system to become hyper reactive, thus amplifying any allergic tendencies.

The doctors at Boulder’s Natural Animal take a very thorough history to find out in great detail what things set off your pet’s allergies. They will suggest, if appropriate testing for thyroid disease (which is a common risk factor for dermatologic disease) and for food, and environmental allergens. We have found that many animals are borderline hypothyroid, and they will benefit from supplementation with thyroid hormone, or with natural thyroid therapies. Many times their skin problems improve once we have appropriately addressed the thyroid condition.

Other treatment options that will be offered to your pet include home prepared hypoallergenic diets, the use of high dose fish oil and high dose acidophilus cultures. The need for and use of antihistamines, topical shampoos, medicated leave-on conditioners and as a last resort cyclosporine or steroids, is discussed with you during your first visit, and the appropriate pharmaceutical regimen for your pet will be dispensed on that first visit.

Allergies can be a lifelong problem, and they need a lifelong solution to be effective. Using excessively strong drugs like steroids can take away years from your pets life span, so we only want to use those when your pet is suffering and there is no other way to improve its condition.