Dermatology & Skin Care

Pet Dermatology and Skin Care in Dubai

Skin conditions are the most frequent reason for veterinary visits globally, and in the UAE, the climate creates a particularly challenging environment for pets with sensitive skin. Heat, humidity, sand, dust, and airborne allergens place year-round pressure on the skin and coat of dogs and cats living here.

Book an appointment What's involved

Skin conditions are the most common reason for vet visits globally

UAE heat, humidity, and allergens drive year-round skin disease in pets

Many chronic skin conditions can be managed effectively with the right diagnosis

When to come in

Book an appointment if any of the following apply to your pet.

Persistent scratching, biting, licking, or rubbing of the skin
Recurring ear infections or constant head shaking
Hair loss in patches or across a larger area
Red, inflamed, or flaky skin in skin folds, paws, or ears
A new or changing lump, cyst, or growth on the skin
Skin that has not improved with treatment tried elsewhere

What it covers

What dermatology and skin care covers

Our dermatology service covers the diagnosis and management of allergic skin disease (environmental and food allergies), fungal and bacterial skin infections, parasitic skin conditions including mange, recurring ear disease, hair loss and alopecia, autoimmune skin conditions, skin tumours and cysts, and chronic conditions requiring long-term management planning. We use skin cytology, skin scraping, allergy testing, and biopsy where appropriate to reach an accurate diagnosis before treatment.

Signs your pet may need a dermatology assessment

• Persistent scratching, biting, licking, or rubbing of the skin

• Recurring ear infections or head shaking

• Hair loss in patches or across a larger area

• Red, inflamed, or flaky skin particularly in skin folds, paws, ears, or groin

• Skin that looks thickened, darkened, or leathery

• Lumps, cysts, or skin tags that are new or changing

• A musty or yeasty smell from the skin or ears

• Skin that does not improve with standard treatment elsewhere

What to expect

Before your appointment

If possible, bring a photograph record of the skin condition at its worst, as lesions can change significantly between a flare and a settled period. Note when the problem started, whether it is seasonal or constant, what treatments have been tried, and what your pet's current diet is. This history is extremely valuable in guiding our diagnostic approach.

During your appointment

Your vet will conduct a full skin and coat examination and may take in-clinic samples such as skin scrapes, impression smears, or tape strips for cytology. These give us rapid information about the type of infection or inflammation present. Skin conditions are often itchy and uncomfortable, which means many affected animals are already sensitised and reactive before they arrive. We use Fear Free handling throughout dermatology consultations, taking extra care with positioning, touch, and the pace of the examination for animals who are clearly uncomfortable in their skin. Allergy testing, food elimination trials, or biopsy may be recommended for cases that need deeper investigation.

After your appointment

You will receive a diagnosis or differential diagnosis list, a treatment plan, and a clear explanation of what the management looks like both in clinic and at home. For allergic skin disease, management is often long-term and we set realistic expectations from the start about what is achievable.

Our approach

Many pet skin conditions are mismanaged because they are under-investigated. A steroid injection alone may reduce symptoms temporarily, but without knowing the underlying cause, the condition returns. At Aura, we invest in diagnosis before treatment, and we manage owners' expectations honestly. Some conditions can be cured.

Others are managed. We tell you which is which. The UAE environment means we see specific patterns of skin disease that are less common in cooler climates, including Malassezia (yeast) overgrowth, heat-driven folliculitis, and sand-related irritation. Our experience with local environmental factors informs how we approach these cases.

Frequently asked questions

Why do so many dogs in the UAE have skin problems?

The UAE's hot, humid climate, high dust and sand load, and year-round high pollen counts create ideal conditions for allergic skin disease and secondary infections. In addition, many breeds popular in the UAE, including Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Shar Peis, have genetic predispositions to skin conditions that are exacerbated by the local environment.

How is a food allergy diagnosed in dogs?

Food allergies in dogs are diagnosed through an elimination diet trial, not through blood tests. The pet is fed a novel protein or hydrolysed protein diet exclusively for a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks. If symptoms improve, individual ingredients are reintroduced to identify the trigger. Blood and skin allergy tests can identify environmental allergens but are not reliable for diagnosing food allergies.

Can cats get skin allergies?

Yes. Cats develop allergic skin disease in response to environmental allergens including dust mites, mould, and grass pollens, as well as food allergens. In cats, the most common presentation is over-grooming leading to hair loss, or small crusty lesions along the back and neck known as miliary dermatitis. Flea allergy is also very common in cats in the UAE.

What is the difference between a skin infection and a skin allergy?

A skin allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to a substance that does not affect most other animals. Skin infections, most commonly bacterial (pyoderma) or yeast (Malassezia), are a secondary consequence of the inflammation that allergies create. Most allergic dogs and cats have concurrent infections, which is why treating the infection alone without addressing the allergy results in repeated recurrence.

Are skin conditions in pets curable or just manageable?

It depends on the cause. Food allergies can often be fully managed by identifying and eliminating the offending ingredient. Some environmental allergies can be significantly reduced through immunotherapy (desensitisation). Bacterial and fungal infections can be fully resolved with appropriate treatment. Chronic allergic skin disease often requires long-term management rather than cure, but modern treatments including targeted immunotherapy injections can dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of flares.