Pet Skin Care in Nora, IN, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nora is a vet in Nora, Indianapolis, that diagnoses and treats skin problems in dogs and cats. That includes hot spots, rashes, bald patches, scabs, dandruff, odor and new lumps.

Most skin problems have a clear cause. The trick is the right test.

Call (317) 245-3750 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome, weekends included.

Why is my pet losing hair or getting scabs?

Hair loss and scabs are signs, not a diagnosis. The usual causes:

• Parasites: fleas, mites (mange) and ringworm, which is a fungus, not a worm

• Infection: bacteria or yeast, often after allergies break the skin

• Allergies: to fleas, pollen or food

• Hormone problems: thyroid or adrenal disease, mostly in middle-aged and older pets

• Stress licking: some cats over-groom until the belly or legs are bare

Where the problem shows up on the body is a big clue. Itching at the base of the tail points to fleas. Paws, armpits and ears point to allergies. Round, scaly bald patches on the face or legs can mean ringworm, especially in kittens.

Which skin tests can the vet do?

At Petfolk Nora, many skin tests are quick and done in the in-house lab:

1. Skin scraping to look for mites.

2. Tape or swab cytology, checking skin cells under the microscope for yeast and bacteria.

3. Fungal checks for ringworm.

4. Fine needle sample of a lump, to see what kind of cells it holds.

5. Blood work when the vet suspects a hormone problem.

Some samples are sent to an outside lab. The vet tells you which tests make sense first and why, so you are not paying for everything at once.

Does this lump need to come off?

Many lumps on dogs are harmless fatty growths. You can't tell by feel. A quick needle sample at Petfolk Nora often answers the question the same day or within a few days. If a lump needs to come off, see pet surgery in Nora. Measure any new lump and take a photo, so you and the vet can see if it changes.

Hot spots in Nora's humid summers

Hot spots are red, wet, painful patches that can grow in hours. They are common in thick-coated dogs during humid central Indiana summers, and after swims or baths when the coat stays damp. The vet clips the area, cleans it and starts medicine to stop the itch and the infection. Itchy pets with repeat flares may have allergies. See allergy testing and treatment in Nora.

My experience with taking my dog to Petfolk was excellent.

Gloria S., Google review

Winter skin and paws

Road salt and ice melt along East 86th Street can crack paw pads and dry the skin. Wipe paws after walks, and ask about a paw balm. Dry heat indoors can also cause flaky skin and dandruff.

What to bring to a skin visit

A little homework makes the visit faster and often cheaper:

• Photos of the rash or lump from the first day you saw it, and from its worst day

• The name of your flea and tick product, and the date of the last dose

• The food bag, or a photo of the label, plus any treats and chews

• A list of shampoos, sprays or creams you have tried at home

Skip baths for two days before. Fresh baths wash away the yeast, bacteria or mites the vet needs to find on a skin sample.

Gentle care for sore skin

Sore skin hurts to touch. So the team at Petfolk Nora uses Fear Free handling: slow moves, breaks, treats.

How much skin care costs

It 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.

When skin trouble is urgent

Swelling of the face, sudden hives over the whole body, or skin that turns dark and cold needs care fast. If your pet also has trouble breathing, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as MedVet Indianapolis in Carmel. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nora is at 1340 E 86th St #52, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

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