by Melissa Eisenschenk, DVM, DACVD, Veterinary Dermatologist.
It is always a good idea to get a second opinion when it really matters. Just like for humans, there are medical specialists for dogs and cats too. Specialists are board-certified veterinarians with years of advanced training in specific areas like Dermatology, Anesthesia, or Neurology that know the best cutting edge treatments for pets with special medical conditions. Does your dog or cat have a medical condition like recurrent ear infections, itchiness, or epilepsy that you would love a veterinary specialist’s opinion on, but you live too far away or don’t want to drive to the city to visit a specialty clinic?
If you would like the best and safest anesthetic to be used when your older pet desperately needs a dental cleaning, there are specialists that can help! Your family veterinarian can pay a fee to send blood work, biopsies, photos, or videos of your pet to a specialist and get answers about the best and safest treatments rapidly. In addition, your primary vet can send updates to the specialist over time so medications can be tweaked based on how the patient is doing. If you would like a second opinion for your pet, but traveling to a referral veterinary clinic is not an option, ask your veterinarian about Veterinary Telemedicine. Petworks has hundreds of mobile vets and tele health DVMs on call for pet parents throughout North America. Book Now.
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About the Author:
Dr. Melissa Eisenschenk is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. She completed her Bachelor of Science with minors in Animal Science and Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin- River Falls and attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. After vet school, she was in private practice for 4 years in Rochester and Minneapolis, and then returned in 2006 to the University of Minnesota for a dermatology residency (3 year program) and Master’s degree. She passed dermatology board exams in 2009. Dr. Eisenschenk worked out of the Oakdale Animal Emergency and Referral Center as a Veterinary Dermatologist for 3.5 years before starting Pet Dermatology Clinic. She has a bunch of city chickens, a husband, and 2 daughters, Mae and Bea.
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