Arrrrggghhh Atopic Skin Disease!

Itchy dogs are everywhere—and managing chronic skin disease can be one of the most challenging parts of veterinary practice. In this episode of Shake Up Your Workup, Dr. Sylvia Conway chats with Dr. Heather Akridge (IDEXX Dermatology) for a practical deep dive into managing itchy pets and atopic skin disease. They break down how to gather a meaningful dermatologic history, rule out common causes of pruritus, approach recurrent ear and skin infections, and make smart diagnostic choices—especially when budget is tight. Packed with tips you can use in practice today, this episode brings clarity to one of GP medicine’s most common challenges.About our guest: Dr. Heather Akridge joined IDEXX Medical Consulting Services as a Dermatology Veterinary Specialist consultant in 2020. A native of Florida and Arkansas, she earned her undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 2003 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from OSU in 2007.After graduation, she completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Canada. She then practiced small animal medicine in Texas for two years before completing a three-year dermatology and allergy residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Akridge became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2014.Prior to joining IDEXX, she spent over six years practicing small animal dermatology at a multi-specialty referral hospital in Austin, Texas. + + + + +To learn more about today’s topic, check out these additional resources:• 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines• Skin Biopsy Dos and Don'ts: Insights through Dermatopathology and Dermatology Consult • Taking the Pain Out of Ear Cytology—Using In-House Diagnostics to Target Treatment of Otitis Externa• Replay! Episode 10 Mucky Ears, Swabs and Smears—Choosing and Using Diagnostics for Otitis Externa+ + + + +Thank you for listening to Shake Up Your Workup. You can contact us at shakeupyourworkup@idexx.com with comments and feedback.Disclaimer: This podcast features hosts and guests who may be employed or engaged with IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates ("IDEXX"). The content of this podcast is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be taken to represent official IDEXX policies, guidance, or positions. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers only.This podcast may reference IDEXX products or services as part of the professional discussion. Any such references are for informational purposes only and do not constitute technical instructions or convey any express or implicit performance guarantee or warranty, nor do they constitute any regulated product claims.Nothing in this podcast should be considered medical or veterinary advice. Diagnostic discussions or recommendations may not be appropriate for all clinical circumstances, and regulatory requirements for diagnostics, treatment, and product use may vary between regions. Listeners should always rely on their own veterinary judgment and consult applicable local laws, regulations, and professional guidelines before making decisions about diagnostics, treatment, or patient care.IDEXX makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information discussed, and IDEXX is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information provided in this podcast.