Pet Skin Conditions & Dermatology in Kennesaw, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is a vet in Kennesaw, GA, that diagnoses and treats skin problems in dogs and cats. That includes hot spots, rashes, bumps, hair loss, flaky skin and skin infections. Simple tests at the clinic often show the cause during the visit, so treatment can start the same day.

The Kennesaw clinic page notes skin irritation from the humid climate as a common problem here. Warm, damp skin is where yeast and bacteria grow best.

Call (770) 404-8937 or book a same-day visit online.

Which skin problems should the vet see?

Book a visit if your pet has any of these:

• A hot spot: a wet, red, painful patch that can grow quickly

• Hair loss in patches, or a thinning coat

• Red bumps, pimples or scabs

• A greasy or smelly coat

• Dandruff or flaky skin

• Dark, thick skin in the armpits or groin

• Constant scratching, licking or chewing

Skin trouble is one of the main reasons pets come in sick. Across Petfolk, skin complaints made up about 20% of sick visits from June to September and about 16% from December to February (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). Summer is busier, but itchy skin is a year-round problem.

How does the vet find the cause?

Many skin problems look alike from the outside, so the vet looks closer. Common in-clinic tests are:

• Skin cytology: tape or a swab pressed to the skin and checked under a microscope for yeast and bacteria

• Skin scraping: a gentle scrape to look for mites

• Flea combing: to look for fleas or flea dirt

If ringworm is a worry, the vet may suggest a fungal test, since ringworm can spread to people. If a sore keeps coming back, the vet may suggest a culture to pick the right antibiotic. Skin that keeps flaring with the seasons often points to allergies. See allergy testing and treatment in Kennesaw.

Why does my dog keep getting hot spots?

A hot spot starts when something makes your dog lick or scratch one place, like a flea bite, an allergy flare or trapped moisture. The skin breaks, bacteria move in, and the itch gets worse. Thick-coated dogs that swim or stay damp after a summer rain are prone to them.

To help prevent them, dry your dog's coat fully after baths and swims, keep up flea control, and brush out a heavy undercoat. Call the clinic as soon as you spot one. Small hot spots heal much faster than big ones.

What treatment looks like

The plan depends on the cause. It may include:

• Clipping and cleaning the sore

• Medicated shampoo, mousse or wipes

• Antibiotics or antifungals, by mouth or on the skin

• Itch relief so the skin can heal

• A cone to stop licking

The team uses gentle, Fear Free handling. Sore skin hurts, so they move slowly and give your pet breaks.

He had bad bumps all over his little head, body and kept scratching himself.

Robin C., Google review

Lumps found during a skin check

Not every bump is a rash. If the vet finds a new lump, a quick needle sample can show what it is. Some lumps are best removed. See pet surgery in Kennesaw.

Skin visit estimates

The cost depends on the tests and treatment your pet needs. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. A routine wellness exam starts at $99 at Petfolk Kennesaw.

Skin problems that can't wait

A swollen face, skin that turns dark or cold, or a wound that smells bad and spreads fast needs care that day. If your pet is also weak or has a fever, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as VEG at 1290 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

Get your pet's skin checked

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is at 1155 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Suite 204, Kennesaw, GA 30144, with free parking. Call (770) 404-8937 or book online.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw, or see all veterinary services in Kennesaw.