Pet Skin Conditions & Dermatology in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, that treats skin problems in dogs and cats. Red patches, hair loss, scabs, odor and hot spots are among the most common reasons pets come in, and many get better fast once the cause is clear.

Skin problems look alike from the outside. The vet uses quick tests at the visit to tell them apart.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online. Same-day visits are often open.

What skin problems does the vet treat?

Common ones in East Dallas pets include:

• Hot spots: wet, red, painful patches that can appear in a few hours, often after swimming or in humid weather

• Bacterial skin infections: red bumps, crusts and circles of flaky skin

• Yeast: greasy, smelly skin, often in the paws, armpits and ears

• Fleas and mites: intense itch, scabs and hair loss

• Ringworm: a fungus, not a worm, that causes round patches of hair loss and can spread to people

• Lumps and bumps: from harmless fatty growths to ones that need a closer look

The Texas heat and humidity make several of these worse. Across Petfolk, skin complaints were about 20% of sick visits from June to September, up from about 16% in December to February (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

How does the vet figure out what's wrong?

It starts with a careful look at your pet's whole coat and questions about diet, flea control, baths and when it started. Then the vet may run a few quick tests at the visit:

1. Tape or swab test: a piece of tape on the skin, checked under the microscope for yeast and bacteria

2. Skin scraping: a gentle scrape to look for mites

3. Hair check: looking at hairs for signs of ringworm or overgrooming

4. Needle sample: for a new lump, to look at the cells

Most of these give an answer in minutes. A culture or biopsy may go to an outside lab if the problem is stubborn.

They took care of our Frenchie’s skin issues and were so gentle and kind.

Ralph S., Google review

Is my pet's skin problem contagious?

Some are. Ringworm and some mites can spread to other pets and to people. Most bacterial and yeast infections are not. They grow because something else, often an allergy, weakens the skin. The vet will tell you if you need to take steps at home, like washing bedding or treating every pet in the house.

Why does my dog's skin keep flaring up?

Repeat skin infections almost always have a cause underneath. Allergies to pollen, fleas or food are the most common. Cedar pollen in winter and grass pollen in spring and summer both hit North Texas dogs hard. Treating the infection gives relief, but the problem returns until the trigger is managed. Read more about pet allergy testing and treatment in Lakewood.

Helping skin heal at home

• Give every dose of medicine, even after the skin looks better.

• Use medicated shampoo as directed, leaving it on for the full contact time.

• Keep a cone on if your pet keeps licking or chewing.

• Dry your dog well after swims at the lake or baths.

• Stay on year-round flea prevention.

Gentle, Fear Free handling helps pets with sore skin feel safe during exams and rechecks.

Costs for skin care

A sick exam starts at $135. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. The clinic takes major cards, Apple Pay and CareCredit financing.

Skin signs that need fast care

Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet's face swells suddenly, hives spread with trouble breathing, or a wound looks deep, black or smells very bad. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

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