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Can cats safely take Apoquel or Zenrelia? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the use of JAK inhibitors in feline dermatology, exploring the science behind atopic disease, practical treatment considerations, and the realities of off-label medication use in cats.

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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:31 Itch Inquiry: Atopic Dogs and the pathophysiology
04:22 JAK Inhibitors and Cats
05:58 Using Apoquel with a Cat 
08:58 Using Zenrelia with a Cat
10:53 Dosing These Medications in Cats 
12:35 Lab Work Monitoring the Cats
14:02 The Risk
14:25 The Duration
15:40 Discussion of Off Label Use with Owners
16:58 Outro

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Skin barrier is having a moment... and for good reason. In this episode, I break down why restoring the skin barrier is a non-negotiable piece of the multimodal approach to managing atopic dermatitis in dogs and cats, and more importantly, how to actually do it when your clients can't keep up with a bathing schedule.

Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932
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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:45 Itch Inquiry: Recurrent Yeast Otitis
01:37 Antifungal Resistance in Malassezia
03:54 Underlying Allergies and Immunotherapy
06:29 Paronychia
07:19 Toothpick vs. Tape Methods
09:30 Treatment for Yeast
15:35 Summary/Outro 

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A new JAK inhibitor has officially entered the veterinary market but where does it fit into managing allergic dogs?

In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I sit down with boarded veterinary dermatologist Dr. Christine McKinney from Merck Animal Health to discuss Numelvi, the newest JAK inhibitor approved in the United States for canine allergic dermatitis. We break down what makes this medication unique, how it compares to other allergy therapies, and why having multiple treatment options matters when managing complicated allergic patients.

We also dive into practical approaches for itch control, infection management, and building confidence when treating chronic allergy cases in practice. If you manage itchy dogs regularly and want to stay up to date on the latest dermatology treatments, this episode is packed with valuable clinical insights.

Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932
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Timestamps and references:

7:26: At the recommended treatment dose, Numelvi is at least 10X more selective for JAK1 over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays. Reference: Kowalski T, Schuette S. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK1. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179.

8:03: At the recommended treatment dose, Numelvi is at least 10X more selective for JAK1 over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays. Reference: Kowalski T, Schuette S. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK1. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179.

8:07: JAK1 is the primary driver of itch and inflammation. Reference: Huang I, Chung W, Wu P, Chen C. JAK-STAT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis: an updated review. Front Immunol. 2022;13:1068260

10:36: At the recommended treatment dose, Numelvi is at least 10X more selective for JAK1 over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays. Reference: Kowalski T, Schuette S. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK1. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179.

21:52: Numelvi, starts reducing itch within 2-4 hours in a canine interleukin-31 (cIL-31)-induced pruritus model Reference: Kowalski T, Prohaczik A, Locke K, Samson C, Hope K. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib significantly reduces pruritus 2-4 hours after dosing dogs in a canine interleukin-31 model. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179-180.

23:13: Numelvi, starts reducing itch within 2-4 hours in a canine interleukin-31 (cIL-31)-induced pruritus model Reference: Kowalski T, Prohaczik A, Locke K, Samson C, Hope K. The second-generation Janus kinase inhibitor atinvicitinib significantly reduces pruritus 2-4 hours after dosing dogs in a canine interleukin-31 model. Vet Dermatol. 2026;37(2):179-180.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:29 The Complexity of Canine Allergic Dermatitis
06:44 What is Numelvi and How Does it Work?
13:50 Dosing Guidelines and Tablet Specifications
16:57 Candidate Selection and Infection Control
21:37 Onset of Action and Efficacy Timeline
24:08 Final Thoughts

This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health

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Skin barrier therapy has become one of the hottest topics in veterinary dermatology but with so many sprays, spot-ons, mousses, collars, and topical products available, it can be difficult to know what actually works and when to use them.

In this week’s episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, we dive into the concept of skin barrier support and why managing allergic skin disease goes far beyond simply treating itch. I break down different categories of topical therapies, including AtopiVet products, spot-on formulations, mousse therapies, and skin care collars, while discussing how these products can fit into a multimodal dermatology plan.

Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932
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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:40 The Itch Inquiry: Skin Barrier and Beyond Topicals
04:48 AtopiVet Products
08:04 Spot-On Products
09:23 Mousse Products
10:19 Skin Care Collar
12:44 Outro

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In this episode, I dive into the diagnostic approach and long-term management of sterile nodular panniculitis in veterinary patients. We discuss everything from sampling claw folds and interpreting flaky cytology samples to biopsy techniques, infectious disease rule-outs, and when to consider JAK inhibitors as part of a treatment plan. 

If you’ve ever struggled with diagnosing challenging nodular cases or navigating long-term management decisions, this episode is packed with practical clinical insights you can apply in practice.

Did you know you can submit a question or voicemail to the show by using the link at the top of the show notes? Send me any and all questions to be featured on an episode!

Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932
Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/
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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:14 Itch Inquiry: Sampling Claw Folds and Flaky Samples
06:00 Identifying Sterile Nodular Panniculitis
08:54 Diagnostic Approaches and Biopsy Techniques
09:56 Ruling Out Infectious Causes
12:53 Use of JAK Inhibitors
16:19 Long-term Management
19:49 Outro

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In this episode, I tackle one of the most important — and often most challenging — conversations in veterinary dermatology: the diet trial discussion. We break down common client concerns, why compliance can be difficult, and how veterinarians can better communicate the value of diet trials in diagnosing food allergy cases.

Did you know you can submit a question or voicemail to the show by using the link at the top of the show notes? Send me any and all questions to be featured on an episode!

Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932

Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/

Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:04 Itch Inquiry
07:20 The Diet Trial Conversation 
09:45 Tip #1: Explain the "Why"
11:06 Tip #2: Treat it as a Diagnostic Test
14:26 Tip #3: Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain
15:37 Tip #4: Challenging the Diet to Get Answers
18:54 Summary
20:38 Outro

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When an otitis case just won’t clear, there are often simple changes we can make to be more successful. In this episode, we break down the most common (and fixable) reasons ear infections fail to respond in clinical practice.

From real-world struggles with client compliance and patient tolerance, to the often-overlooked importance of proper ear flushing, we unpack where cases go off track—and how to get them back on course. We’ll also dive into the consequences of choosing the wrong topical therapy, and why matching treatment to cytology is non-negotiable for success.

Whether you’re dealing with repeat offenders or frustrating first-time failures, this episode offers practical, clinic-ready insights to help you troubleshoot smarter, treat more effectively, and set both your patients and clients up for long-term success.

Timestamps
 00:00 Intro
00:24 Itch Inquiry
03:47 Why that Ear Infection isn't Responding
05:18 Lack of Inflammation Control
06:55 The Wrong Medication
08:32 Not Using Appropriate Flushing Methods
11:19 It's Not Getting In There
13:16 We Don't Know Why It's Happening
15:34 Review
17:54 Outro 

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In this episode, we take a closer look at the often-overlooked areas of the dermatologic exam in allergic dogs—because the clues you’re missing may be the ones that matter most. From the ventral neck and axilla to claw folds, lip margins, and perianal regions, these hidden sites frequently harbor early or persistent lesions that can shape your diagnosis and treatment plan. We’ll discuss why these areas are commonly skipped, what subtle findings to look for, and how a more thorough dermatology exam can improve case outcomes.

Tune in for practical tips to elevate your dermatology exams, catch lesions earlier, and avoid missing key pieces of the allergy puzzle.

Want to ask a question or share a story to be featured on the podcast? Tap the link at the top of the show notes to text an inquiry or leave a voicemail!

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:57 Ventral Neck
03:14 Axilla
04:21 Claw Folds
06:05 Lip Margins
07:28 Perianal Region
08:51 Pinna
10:23 Other Folds 
13:14 Review/Summary
15:55 Outro

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In this week's episode, we explore an interesting feline case that illustrates why no detail should ever be overlooked. When a "perky nose" complaint actually becomes plasma cell pododermatitis.

Using this case as a guide, we highlight how critical it is to go beyond the presenting complaint. A thorough dermatologic exam, combined with a detailed history, can uncover subtle abnormalities that completely change your diagnostic path, treatment plan, and ultimately, patient outcome. It’s a good reminder that even when a diagnosis seems obvious, there could be clinical clues that point you a different direction.

We discuss how this case unfolded, what could have been missed with a more limited approach, and practical strategies to ensure you’re consistently gathering complete information in every appointment.

References:
Declercq J, DeBosschere H. Nasal swelling due to plasma cell infiltrate in a cat without plasma cell pododermatitis. Vet Dermatol. 2010;21:412–414. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00869.x.

Brosseau G. Feline plasma cell pododermatitis. Can Vet J. 2022 May;63(5):545-548. PMID: 35502252; PMCID: PMC9009751.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:50 The Swollen Nose
07:02 Deflated Paws
09:12 Biopsy and Diagnosis Confirmation
12:09 Importance of Looking at the Complete History
16:53 Outro

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Allergy cases can be REALLY tough!

In this week's podcast episode, we explore how veterinarians and staff can build confidence using the full range of allergy medications available. From JAK inhibitors to monoclonal antibodies to cyclosporine, I discuss the importance of knowing the mechanisms and clinical applications of these medications. Atopic dermatitis is a syndrome with many layers. You can have your favorite allergy drugs, but there will always be difficult cases that don't respond and we need to try something different.

Tune in for practical insights, real-world case strategies, and tips to help you feel more comfortable navigating complex allergic conditions. 

Studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34344611/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20887404/

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:44 New Segments Starting Soon
02:07 Being Comfortable w/ Allergy Medications
03:25 Breed-Specific Allergy Phenotypes
05:07 JAK Inhibitors
06:45 Monoclonal Antibodies
08:36 Cyclosporine
09:58 Summary
12:41 Outro

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Feline dermatology be tricky and daunting. It is easy to skip over simple steps that can make a big difference in your allergic cat management. In this episode, we break down four of the most common missteps that in managing feline skin cases.

First, we tackle how to be ABSOLUTELY sure you have eliminated flea allergy dermatitis as a cause of pruritus. Next, we explore how cats express skin disease in unique ways that can be missed by owners and veterinarians such rodent ulcers.

We dive into inappropriate diagnosis of food allergies, explaining why true elimination diet trials are essential and often done incorrectly. Finally, we emphasize the importance of not skipping basic diagnostics like cytology and fungal testing—foundational steps that are sometimes overlooked in favor of quick treatments such as steroids.

Whether you’re a practicing veterinarian or a student, this episode can give you easy tips to implement in the clinic tomorrow for your itchy cat patients!

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:22 Fleas and Ectoparasites
06:33 Recognizing Unique Lesions
08:50 Overdiagnosing
10:58 Skipping Basic Diagnostics
13:23 Summary
15:48 Outro