The Derm Vet Podcast

Hosted by Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD

Business Science EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

339

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Tune in to make veterinary dermatology more fun than frustrating! This podcast features Dr. Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD sharing practical tips on dermatologic workups you can bring to clinical practice right away. Also, stories about navigating the messy (yet beautiful) journey of being a vet mom while building a career you love.

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60 recent

September 10, 2026Episode 34120 min

341. History Taking in Veterinary Dermatology: The Clues That Shape Your Differentials

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In veterinary dermatology, the right diagnosis often starts before the physical exam... it starts with the history! In this episode of The Derm Vet, I break down how a thorough dermatologic history can help veterinary professionals build stronger differential lists, choose more targeted diagnostics, and develop more effective treatment plans. Whether you're working through a new pruritic patient or reevaluating a case that isn't responding as expected, this episode highlights the historical clues you don't want to overlook! 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 00:24 The Value of History Taking in Veterinary Dermatology 03:52 Itch Inquiry: Cyclosporine Use in Allergic Disease 06:00 Building Differentials, Diagnostic Plans, and Treatments 08:30 Core History Basics: Signalment, Seasonality, and Travel 12:15 Age of Onset Considerations 14:46 Analyzing Past Medication Responses 16:03 Identifying Systemic Signs and Underlying Internal Disease 17:59 Reevaluating History in Chronic Cases 20:05 Outro

September 3, 2026Episode 34019 min

340. Feline Crusty Paw Pads: Building a Differential Diagnosis

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Crusty, irritated, or abnormal paw pads in cats can point to much more than a simple skin problem. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down the differential diagnoses behind feline crusty paw pads, including plasma cell pododermatitis, autoimmune disease, allergies, eosinophilic granulomas, contact dermatitis, infections, trauma, cutaneous horns, and even neoplasia. Plus, this week’s Itch Inquiry features a medication-averse German Shepherd and a discussion about the limitations of monoclonal antibody therapy! 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 00:24 Itch Inquiry: Case Study of a Med-Averse German Shepherd 05:20 Limitations of Monoclonal Antibodies 07:00 Feline Crust Paw Pads 07:44 Plasma Cell Pododermatitis 10:58 Autoimmune Causes 12:22 Allergic Conditions, Eosinophilic Granulomas, and Contact Dermatitis 13:52 Infectious, Viral, Fungal, and Traumatic/Burn Causes 16:02 Cutaneous Horns, Neoplasia, Lung-Digit Syndrome, and Diagnostic Workup 19:02 Outro

August 27, 2026Episode 33916 min

339. Crusty Paw Pads in Dogs: The Differentials Every Vet Should Know

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Crusty paw pads may seem like a straightforward dermatologic finding... but they can point to everything from simple hyperkeratosis to autoimmune, metabolic, infectious, and even systemic disease! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down my diagnostic approach to canine paw pad disease and the major differentials veterinarians should keep on their radar. I cover hyperkeratosis, pemphigus foliaceus, erythema multiforme, vasculitis, hepatocutaneous syndrome, zinc-responsive dermatosis, canine distemper, infections, trauma, and more. Plus, learn why lesion distribution, breed, systemic signs, and (most importantly) biopsy can be critical for reaching the right diagnosis! 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 00:24 Itch Inquiry: Feline Inflammatory Ear Polyps 04:46 Canine Paw Pad Disease 05:17 Primary Hyperkeratosis & Weight-Bearing Patterns 07:31 Autoimmune Paw Pad Diseases 09:58 Metabolic Causes 12:47 Infectious, Traumatic, & Viral Causes 14:25 Outro

August 20, 2026Episode 33820 min

338. How to Guide Clients Through the Allergy Workup

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Allergy cases are rarely straightforward... and explaining the diagnostic process to pet owners can be just as challenging as managing the itch. In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down a practical approach to talking with clients about allergic skin disease in dogs and cats. From ectoparasites and food allergies to environmental allergies, learn how to organize the conversation so owners understand not only what you're recommending, but why it matters. 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 00:24 Zoetis Ad 02:13 Itch Inquiry: Convincing Owners on Symptomatic Meds 06:08 Category 1: Ectoparasite Control 09:05 Category 2: Food Allergies & Diet Trials 11:13 Category 3: Environmental Allergies & Symptomatic Therapy 13:24 Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy 16:14 Tailoring Communication and Visual Aids 20:10 Outro

August 13, 2026Episode 33715 min

337. Cat Ear Diseases Explained: Solar Dermatitis, Pemphigus, Cystomatosis & More

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Why do cats develop crusting, curling, inflammation, or unusual lesions on their ears? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I'm diving into feline pinnal diseases and the dermatologic conditions that can affect the feline ear. I cover why oral exams are an important part of evaluating itchy cats, reactions to topical steroids that can cause pinna curling, and key conditions including solar dermatitis, auricular chondritis, cystomatosis, pemphigus foliaceus, and proliferative necrotizing otitis externa! 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 00:24 Feline Pinnal Diseases 01:37 Itch Inquiry: Why Perform Oral Exams on Cats 03:45 Topical Steroid Reactions & Pinna Curling 04:55 Solar Dermatitis 06:53 Auricular Chondritis 08:23 Cystomatosis 10:44 Pemphigus Foliaceus 12:36 Proliferative Necrotizing Otitis Externa

August 6, 2026Episode 33617 min

336. Dog Ear Diseases Explained: Scabies, Pemphigus, Pinnal Vasculitis & More

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! In this episode, I answer a listener question about off-label JAK inhibitor dosing before taking a deep dive into common canine pinnal (ear flap) diseases. Learn how to recognize and manage canine scabies, pinnal vasculitis, pemphigus foliaceus, ear margin seborrhea, zinc-responsive dermatosis, and thrombovascular necrosis. Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or student, this episode delivers practical dermatology insights you can use in practice! 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 00:54 Itch Inquiry: Off-Label JAK Inhibitor Dosing and Usage 05:32 Introduction to Canine Pinnal Diseases and Ear Anatomy 08:08 Canine Scabies 09:33 Pinnal Vasculitis Presentation and Management 11:22 Pemphigus Foliaceus 13:08 Ear Margin Seborrhea 14:27 Zinc Dermatitis 15:47 Thrombovascular Necrosis 16:45 Outro

July 30, 2026Episode 33516 min

335. The Overlooked Signs of Canine Allergies Every Veterinarian Should Know

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Dogs don't always scratch when they're itchy and that can make diagnosing allergic skin disease much more challenging! In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I break down the subtle and commonly overlooked signs of itching in dogs, from scooting that isn't caused by anal glands to head shaking, excessive licking, perineal dermatitis, and secondary skin changes that can easily be missed during an exam. 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 00:24 Zoetis 01:15 Itch Inquiry: Non-Anal Sac Causes of Scooting 03:25 How to Tell If a Dog is Itchy 06:03 Common Itching Behaviors 08:42 Overlooked Indicators 10:35 Perineal Dermatitis and Head Shaking 13:16 Identifying Secondary Skin Changes 15:39 Outro

July 23, 2026Episode 33415 min

334. Cat vs. Dog Skin: 3 Key Dermatology Differences Every Veterinarian Should Know

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! How do feline dermatology cases differ from canine dermatology? In this episode, I answer a listener's question on treating yeast-only ear infections before breaking down three major clinical differences between cats and dogs... from ear flap lesions and claw fold inflammation to oral cavity and mucous membrane disease! 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 02:20 Itch Inquiry: Treating Yeast-Only Ear Infections 05:51 Feline vs Canine Dermatologic Distributions 06:27 Difference 1: Pinna (Ear Flap) Lesions 08:27 Difference 2: Claw Fold Inflammation 11:00 Difference 3: Oral Cavity & Mucous Membrane Lesions 13:58 Outro

July 16, 2026Episode 33318 min

333. The Long Game: Mastering Maintenance Therapy for Allergic Dogs

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Constant scratching, chewing, and ear infections aren't just annoying... they're your patient's way of telling you something's wrong! In this episode, I break down everything veterinary professionals need to know about managing allergic dogs, from spotting the first signs of trouble to building a long-term treatment plan that actually works. 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 01:39 Itch Inquiry 02:55 Maintenance Therapy for Allergic Dogs 05:35 Nutrition 06:07 Ear Care 07:19 Client Education and Early Detection 09:34 Utilizing Our Pharmaceuticals 11:27 Identifying Allergy Triggers 13:09 Routine Rechecks 15:27 Summary 17:39 Outro

July 9, 2026Episode 33213 min

332. Your Allergy Patient Is Doing Fine... So Why Start Immunotherapy?

Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail! Is allergen-specific immunotherapy the closest thing we have to changing the course of allergic disease in dogs? In this episode of The Derm Vet Podcast, I explore why immunotherapy remains the gold standard for long-term allergy management and how it differs from simply controlling itch. She explains how starting treatment early may help reduce the progression of allergic disease, what pet owners should realistically expect from immunotherapy, and why educating clients is critical to long-term success. 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 01:39 Itch Inquiry: Distinguishing Autoimmune Disease from Neoplastic Disease 04:40 Immunotherapy 06:05 Proactively Halting the Progression of Allergic Disease 07:30 Natural Therapy 08:14 Instilling Trust in Your Client 09:28 Preparing for Future Health Uncertainties 13:06 Outro