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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June 11, 2026Episode 32818 min
328. Managing Itchy Cats: Apoquel, Zenrelia, and the Reality of Off-Label Treatment
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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.Watch The Episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thedermvet3932Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/Timestamps00:00 Intro01:31 Itch Inquiry: Atopic Dogs and the pathophysiology04:22 JAK Inhibitors and Cats05:58 Using Apoquel with a Cat 08:58 Using Zenrelia with a Cat10:53 Dosing These Medications in Cats 12:35 Lab Work Monitoring the Cats14:02 The Risk14:25 The Duration15:40 Discussion of Off Label Use with Owners16:58 Outro
June 4, 2026Episode 32716 min
327. A Practical Guide to Multimodal Skin Barrier Therapy in Allergic Dogs & Cats
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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/@thedermvet3932Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/Timestamps00:00 Intro00:45 Itch Inquiry: Recurrent Yeast Otitis01:37 Antifungal Resistance in Malassezia03:54 Underlying Allergies and Immunotherapy06:29 Paronychia07:19 Toothpick vs. Tape Methods09:30 Treatment for Yeast15:35 Summary/Outro
May 28, 2026Episode 32629 min
326. New JAK Inhibitor for Allergic Dogs? What Vets Need to Know About Numelvi
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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/@thedermvet3932Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/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;13:106826010:36: 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.Timestamps00:00 Intro02:29 The Complexity of Canine Allergic Dermatitis06:44 What is Numelvi and How Does it Work?13:50 Dosing Guidelines and Tablet Specifications16:57 Candidate Selection and Infection Control21:37 Onset of Action and Efficacy Timeline24:08 Final ThoughtsThis episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health
May 21, 2026Episode 32514 min
325. Top Skin Barrier Products Every Veterinary Team Should Know
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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/@thedermvet3932Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/Timestamps00:00 Intro01:40 The Itch Inquiry: Skin Barrier and Beyond Topicals04:48 AtopiVet Products08:04 Spot-On Products09:23 Mousse Products10:19 Skin Care Collar12:44 Outro
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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/@thedermvet3932Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/Timestamps00:00 Intro01:14 Itch Inquiry: Sampling Claw Folds and Flaky Samples06:00 Identifying Sterile Nodular Panniculitis08:54 Diagnostic Approaches and Biopsy Techniques09:56 Ruling Out Infectious Causes12:53 Use of JAK Inhibitors16:19 Long-term Management19:49 Outro
May 7, 2026Episode 32321 min
323. Mastering the Diet Trial Discussion in Veterinary Dermatology
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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/@thedermvet3932Follow The Derm Vet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvetpod/Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet/Timestamps00:00 Intro01:04 Itch Inquiry07:20 The Diet Trial Conversation 09:45 Tip #1: Explain the "Why"11:06 Tip #2: Treat it as a Diagnostic Test14:26 Tip #3: Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain15:37 Tip #4: Challenging the Diet to Get Answers18:54 Summary20:38 Outro
April 30, 2026Episode 32218 min
322. Why Your Otitis Cases Aren’t Healing (And How to Fix Them Fast)
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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 Intro00:24 Itch Inquiry03:47 Why that Ear Infection isn't Responding05:18 Lack of Inflammation Control06:55 The Wrong Medication08:32 Not Using Appropriate Flushing Methods11:19 It's Not Getting In There13:16 We Don't Know Why It's Happening15:34 Review17:54 Outro
April 23, 2026Episode 32116 min
321. 7 Overlooked Exam Sites Every Vet Should Check On An Allergic Dog
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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!Timestamps00:00 Intro01:57 Ventral Neck03:14 Axilla04:21 Claw Folds06:05 Lip Margins07:28 Perianal Region08:51 Pinna10:23 Other Folds 13:14 Review/Summary15:55 Outro
April 16, 2026Episode 32017 min
320. When a Perky Nose Turns Out to Be Plasma Cell Pododermatitis in a Cat
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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.Timestamps00:00 Intro03:50 The Swollen Nose07:02 Deflated Paws09:12 Biopsy and Diagnosis Confirmation12:09 Importance of Looking at the Complete History16:53 Outro
April 9, 2026Episode 31913 min
319. Managing Tough Allergy Cases in Dogs: JAK Inhibitors, Cytopoint, and Cyclosporine Explained
Send me a derm question or story through text or voicemail!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/Timestamps00:00 Intro00:44 New Segments Starting Soon02:07 Being Comfortable w/ Allergy Medications03:25 Breed-Specific Allergy Phenotypes05:07 JAK Inhibitors06:45 Monoclonal Antibodies08:36 Cyclosporine09:58 Summary12:41 Outro
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