Is your dog or cat suffering from skin issues? If so, and if you’re having trouble treating them, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take your pet to a pet dermatologist.
What you might be wondering, though, is how to find the right pet dermatologist in Charleston, SC. That’s where this article comes in. Below, we’re going to show you what to do when looking for pet dermatology in Charleston, SC, thus helping you find the perfect pet dermatology clinic for your pet.
Let’s get started!
Ask Your Veterinarian
If you already have a veterinarian, you can ask them for a referral to a pet dermatology clinic. They likely have someone on file to whom they send their clients and patients.
Obviously, you don’t have to choose the dermatologist that they recommend. However, if you’re satisfied with the pet care your veterinarian provides, you have no reason to believe that they would steer you in the wrong direction.
Use Google
Another thing you can do to find a dermatology vet in Charleston, SC is to use Google. Type in something to the effect of “dermatology vet near me” or “pet dermatologist in Charleston, SC”. This should return a list of viable candidates in the Charleston area.
Once you have this list, you can look through it, using customer reviews and ratings to help you determine which options are the best. We advise sticking with vets with consensus ratings of 4 stars or greater.
Find a small list of 3 to 5 candidates and write their names down. You can compare them further using the points below.
Ensure That They’re Specialized in Dermatology
Unfortunately, some veterinarians might falsely advertise themselves as being specialists in dermatology. Or, they might offer light dermatological services without actually possessing expert knowledge.
But you’re not looking for preventative pet care in Charleston, SC, or an emergency hospital in Charleston, SC. You specifically need a pet dermatologist.
This is why, before choosing your Charleston animal clinic, you need to inquire about whether they actually specialize in dermatology. See, just like human dermatologists, pet dermatologists need to undergo specific and intensive training pertaining to dermatology. If your chosen dermatologist lacks this training, they’re not going to be able to provide the care your pet requires.
So, before making a final choice, ask to see proof of completion of this training. A legitimate pet dermatologist will have a certificate of completion to show you.
Ask About Costs
Because pet dermatologists are specialists, they tend to charge more than the typical Charleston veterinarian. This can result in great cost variation from skin specialist to skin specialist. As such, before making a choice, you need to ask about their costs.
The best way to go about this is to call them up and discuss the issue that your pet is experiencing. While the dermatologist won’t be able to give you a true cost estimate until your pet has been diagnosed, they can at least give you a ballpark figure.
The key here is to ensure that you don’t have to pay any outrageous prices. As long as the costs discussed are around the area average, there’s little cause for worry.
Ensure That They’re Within a Reasonable Distance
When a pet has skin issues, treatment for them tends to be ongoing. In other words, they aren’t typically cured after a one-time trip to a pet dermatologist. You’re likely going to have to make trips to the pet dermatologist on a regular basis.
This is why it’s important to choose a pet dermatologist who’s in close proximity to you. You don’t want to have to drive an hour every time your pet has an appointment. You should be able to find plenty of reasonable options within 30 minutes of your home.
Use Google Maps to gauge the distance to each particular dermatologist. Then, use the other metrics discussed in this article to inform your choice.
Call Them on the Phone
Pet dermatologists are people and, like all people, they differ in personality and demeanor. Your dermatologist could be the most friendly and caring person you know, or they could be rude, closed-off, and lacking in empathy. Odds are, you’d like to avoid the latter.
This is why, before choosing a pet dermatologist, it’s important to call them up on the phone and speak to them personally. Now, this won’t give you a full picture of the type of person they are. However, it will at least give you a feel for who they are as a person.
It will also give you an opportunity to ask questions and to see how they respond to those questions. Are they enthusiastic and forthright in their answers, or are they dismissive? If they’re the former, they’re probably a safe bet; if they’re the latter, you should avoid them.
Make Sure They Have Experience Treating Your Type of Pet
Finally, you need to make sure that your chosen pet dermatologist has experience in treating your specific type of pet. For example, if you have a dog, you need to make sure your chosen dermatologist has treated dogs in the past.
See, different animals are prone to different types of skin issues. This could make it difficult for a dermatologist to treat an animal if they’ve never treated such an animal in the past. It could even result in the dermatologist attempting improper treatments, thus causing your pet further injury.
To ensure that a given pet dermatologist is truly experienced in treating your type of pet, ask them pointed questions about your type of pet. If they seem knowledgeable, they’re likely to be a safe bet.
Need Pet Dermatology in Charleston, SC?
If you’re searching for pet dermatology in Charleston, SC, look no further than Hampton Park Vet. We’re the top veterinarian in Charleston, SC, and are well-versed in the treatment of pet skin issues.
If it’s a pet dermatologist you’re seeking, you don’t have to look any further. Hampton Park Veterinary Hospital has you covered.
