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Dermatology & Skin Care in Sacramento, CA

Expert Treatment for Allergies, Infections, and Chronic Skin Conditions

Dermatology & Skin Care

Specialized Dermatology Care

Skin problems are one of the most common reasons pets visit the veterinarian — and one of the most frustrating for pet owners. Constant itching, recurring infections, hair loss, and chronic skin issues can significantly impact your pet’s quality of life and your peace of mind.

At Del Paso Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Khabra has specialized expertise in dermatology and can diagnose and treat a wide range of skin conditions. With 18 years of experience and advanced diagnostic capabilities, we get to the root cause of your pet’s skin problems rather than just treating symptoms.

Sacramento’s climate and environmental allergens create unique challenges for pets with sensitive skin. We understand local triggers and provide customized treatment plans that work.

Common Skin Conditions We Treat

Allergic Skin Disease

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

  • The most common skin allergy in pets
  • Severe itching from even one flea bite
  • Hair loss, especially at base of tail
  • Red, inflamed skin
  • Secondary infections from scratching

 

Environmental Allergies (Atopy)

  • Reactions to pollen, dust mites, mold, grasses
  • Seasonal or year-round itching
  • Face rubbing, paw licking, ear infections
  • Red, inflamed skin on belly, paws, ears
  • Sacramento’s oak pollen is a common trigger

 

Food Allergies

  • Less common than environmental allergies
  • Year-round itching and skin problems
  • Ear infections
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Requires elimination diet trials for diagnosis

Skin Infections

Bacterial Skin Infections (Pyoderma)

  • Red bumps, pustules, or crusts
  • Hair loss in circular patterns
  • Often secondary to allergies or other conditions
  • Requires antibiotics and addressing underlying cause

 

Yeast Infections (Malassezia)

  • Greasy, smelly skin
  • Red, inflamed areas
  • Common in ears, paws, skin folds
  • Often accompanies allergies
  • Diagnosed with skin cytology (done in-house)

 

Fungal Infections (Ringworm)

  • Circular patches of hair loss
  • Scaly, crusty skin
  • Contagious to people and other pets
  • More common in puppies and kittens
  • Requires specific antifungal treatment

Parasitic Skin Disease

Flea Infestation

  • Visible fleas or flea dirt
  • Intense itching and scratching
  • Hair loss from over-grooming
  • Secondary infections

 

Mange Mites

  • Demodex: Non-contagious, causes patchy hair loss
  • Sarcoptes: Highly contagious, intense itching
  • Diagnosed with skin scraping (done in-house)
  • Requires specific treatment protocols

 

Ear Mites

  • Head shaking and ear scratching
  • Dark, crusty discharge
  • Diagnosed with ear cytology (done in-house)
  • Treatment for all pets in household

Other Skin Conditions

Hot Spots (Acute Moist Dermatitis)

  • Sudden appearance of red, oozing sores
  • Extremely painful and itchy
  • Often triggered by allergies, matted fur, or moisture
  • Requires immediate treatment

 

Seborrhea

  • Flaky, greasy, or oily skin
  • Often has odor
  • Can be primary or secondary to other conditions
  • Requires medicated shampoos and addressing underlying cause

 

Autoimmune Skin Diseases

  • Rare but serious conditions
  • Ulcers, crusts, or loss of pigmentation
  • May require specialized testing
  • Long-term management needed

 

Skin Tumors and Masses

  • Lumps, bumps, or growths on skin
  • Require examination and often biopsy
  • Early detection is important

Our Dermatology Services

Comprehensive Skin Examinations

Dr. Khabra performs thorough dermatological assessments including:

  • Complete skin and coat evaluation
  • Examination of paws, ears, and skin folds
  • Assessment of distribution and pattern of lesions
  • Review of medical history and environmental factors
  • Identification of primary vs. secondary skin issues

In-House Diagnostic Testing

Skin Cytology

  • Microscopic examination of skin cells
  • Identifies bacteria, yeast, and inflammatory cells
  • Same-day results
  • Guides appropriate treatment

 

Ear Cytology

  • Identifies bacteria, yeast, and ear mites
  • Same-day results
  • Ensures targeted ear treatment

 

Skin Scraping

  • Diagnoses mange mites (Demodex, Sarcoptes)
  • Microscopic examination
  • Same-day results

 

Tape Prep/Impression Smear

  • Quick assessment of surface infections
  • Same-day results

Advanced Testing (When Needed)

Sent to Reference Laboratory:

  • Fungal cultures for ringworm
  • Skin biopsies for complex cases
  • Allergy testing (blood or intradermal)
  • Bacterial cultures with sensitivity testing
  • Hormonal testing for endocrine-related skin disease

 

Results typically available in 3-7 days.

Treatment Options

Medications:

  • Antibiotics for bacterial infections
  • Antifungals for yeast and ringworm
  • Anti-itch medications (Apoquel, Cytopoint, steroids)
  • Antiparasitic medications
  • Immunosuppressive drugs for autoimmune conditions

 

Topical Treatments:

  • Medicated shampoos
  • Sprays and mousses
  • Ear medications
  • Topical antibiotics and antifungals

 

Dietary Management:

  • Elimination diet trials for food allergies
  • Prescription diets for skin support
  • Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
  • Available on-site at our pharmacy

 

Environmental Management:

  • Flea control recommendations
  • Allergen avoidance strategies
  • Humidity and bedding modifications
  • Cleaning and hygiene protocols

 

Long-Term Management:

  • Chronic allergy control
  • Maintenance therapy to prevent flare-ups
  • Regular monitoring and adjustments
  • Owner education for at-home care

Signs Your Pet Needs Dermatology Care

Itching & Scratching:

  • Constant scratching, licking, or chewing
  • Rubbing face on furniture or carpet
  • Foot licking or chewing
  • Scooting on rear end

 

Skin Changes:

  • Red, inflamed skin
  • Rashes or hives
  • Dry, flaky skin
  • Greasy or oily coat
  • Odor from skin or ears

 

Hair Loss:

  • Patchy or symmetrical hair loss
  • Thinning coat
  • Over-grooming leading to bald spots
  • Broken hairs

 

Lesions:

  • Hot spots (red, oozing sores)
  • Bumps, pustules, or scabs
  • Crusts or scales
  • Open sores or ulcers

 

Ear Problems:

  • Head shaking
  • Ear scratching
  • Discharge or odor
  • Red, inflamed ears
  • Recurrent ear infections

 

Paw Problems:

  • Licking or chewing paws
  • Red, swollen paw pads
  • Stained fur on paws (from saliva)
  • Limping from painful paws

 

Chronic Issues:

  • Skin problems lasting more than 2 weeks
  • Recurring infections despite treatment
  • Seasonal patterns of itching
  • Problems that return after medication stops

 

If your pet shows any of these signs, schedule a dermatology consultation. Early intervention prevents complications and chronic suffering.

The Dermatology Diagnostic Process

Step 1: Detailed History

Dr. Khabra asks about:

  • When symptoms started
  • Seasonal patterns
  • Diet and treats
  • Environmental changes
  • Previous treatments tried
  • Other pets in household

Step 2: Physical Examination

Thorough skin and coat evaluation including:

  • Pattern and distribution of lesions
  • Presence of parasites
  • Skin texture and odor
  • Ear examination
  • Overall health assessment

Step 3: Diagnostic Testing

Based on findings, may include:

  • Skin cytology
  • Ear cytology
  • Skin scraping
  • Tape prep
  • Additional tests if needed

Step 4: Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

Dr. Khabra explains:

  • What’s causing the skin problem
  • Why it’s happening
  • Treatment recommendations
  • Expected timeline for improvement
  • Prevention strategies

Step 5: Follow-Up & Monitoring

  • Recheck appointments to assess response
  • Treatment adjustments as needed
  • Long-term management plan
  • Prevention of recurrence

Dermatology Faqs

Why does my pet keep getting skin infections?

Recurring infections are usually secondary to an underlying problem like allergies, hormonal imbalances, or immune issues. We need to identify and treat the root cause, not just the infection.

Through detailed history, physical exam, ruling out other causes, and sometimes elimination diet trials or allergy testing. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and avoiding triggers when possible.

Yes, though food allergies are less common than environmental allergies. Diagnosis requires strict elimination diet trials lasting 8-12 weeks.

It depends on the condition. Acute infections may resolve in 2-4 weeks. Chronic allergies require ongoing management. Dr. Khabra will provide realistic timelines.

Some are (ringworm, sarcoptic mange) but most are not. We’ll let you know if precautions are needed.

Skin conditions often require monitoring to ensure treatment is working and adjustments are made. This prevents chronic issues from developing.

Some can be cured (infections, parasites). Others require long-term management (allergies, autoimmune conditions). Our goal is to keep your pet comfortable with minimal medication.

Keep your pet on flea prevention, bathe with recommended shampoos, administer medications as directed, and monitor for changes. We’ll provide specific recommendations.

Flea allergy dermatitis can cause itching for weeks after fleas are gone. Also, there may be other causes like environmental allergies or infections.

In-house cytology and skin scrapings are affordable. More advanced testing varies. We discuss costs before proceeding and create plans that fit your budget.

Sacramento-specific Dermatology Concerns

Oak Pollen Allergies: Sacramento’s abundant oak trees create high pollen counts in spring, triggering allergies in many pets.

Year-Round Flea Season: California’s mild climate means fleas are active year-round, not just summer. Consistent prevention is essential.

Dry Climate: Sacramento’s low humidity can worsen dry, flaky skin conditions. Moisturizing shampoos and omega-3 supplements help.

Foxtails: Common in Sacramento area, foxtails can embed in skin causing infections and abscesses. Requires removal and treatment.

Valley Fever (Rare): While less common than in Southern California, this fungal infection can occur and cause skin lesions.

Why Choose Del Paso For Dermatology

Specialized Expertise Dr. Khabra has advanced training and extensive experience in dermatology — a key area of his veterinary practice.

In-House Diagnostics Skin cytology, ear cytology, and skin scraping done on-site with same-day results for faster diagnosis.

Comprehensive Approach We identify root causes, not just treat symptoms, preventing chronic recurring problems.

18 Years of Experience Dr. Khabra has successfully treated thousands of dermatology cases with customized care plans.

Same-Day Appointments Available When your pet is miserable from itching, we prioritize getting them relief quickly.

Complete Treatment Options All medications and medicated shampoos available on-site at our pharmacy.

Long-Term Management We partner with you for ongoing chronic condition management with regular monitoring.

Affordable Care Competitive pricing with flexible payment options (CareCredit, ScratchPay, Cherry coming soon).

Multilingual Team Service in English, Spanish, Punjabi, and Hindi ensures clear communication.

Trusted Since 1940 Over 80 years of dermatology expertise caring for Sacramento pets.

Schedule Your Pet's Dermatology Consultation

Don’t let skin problems diminish your pet’s quality of life. Expert dermatology care can provide relief and long-term solutions.

Call (916) 925-2107 to schedule a dermatology consultation with Dr. Khabra.

Email: office@delpasovetclinic.com

Visit: 924 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815

Same-day appointments available for urgent skin issues.

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Serving Sacramento & Surrounding Communities

Proudly providing wellness and preventive care for pets in:

  • Del Paso Heights
  • North Sacramento
  • Natomas
  • Robla
  • Arden-Arcade
  • West Sacramento
  • And surrounding neighborhoods

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