DermaVet is the only site in the world exclusively dedicated to veterinary dermatology. It deals with chronic or recurring skin problems present in our pets.
Veterinary dermatology: expertise developed over time
Veterinary dermatology has a recent history. Yet, skin problems in animals have existed for millennia. We find traces of them among the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and even in biblical writings!
From the Renaissance onwards, a link between human and animal skin problems was noted. Ideas were confronted through the dissemination of writings via in printing. It allowed the convergence and memorisation of ideas. In the 17th century, diseases decimated populations like the cattle plague. It was understood that some diseases are transmissible and therefore not specific to each species.
In the 18th century, veterinary medicine was born with the foundation of the Royal Veterinary School of Lyon (1762). The veterinarians of the time mainly focused on horses, useful to society. Canine dermatological diseases were grouped as being caused by mange or ringworm, a confusion that delayed the exploration of the different diseases we know today.
It wasn’t until the 19th century, alongside advances in human medicine, that dermatology developed and established itself as a particular medical field. One of its founders was Robert Willan, who published the article “The Foundations of Modern Dermatology”. Skin diseases were analysed, classified, and named. It is on this idea that late-century dermatology is based.
Its advancements and techniques in the 20th and 21st centuries
At the beginning of the 20th century, veterinary dermatology was still in its speculative stage. It was not yet known which viruses or bacteria were responsible for particular skin diseases. Furthermore, this veterinary medical field did not yet have research laboratories.
In America, for example, no structure was put in place. It wasn’t until 1948 that Frank Kral, who had published an essay on veterinary dermatology 17 years earlier, left Europe and settled at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.
The 20th century experienced a real leap after World War II. War was conducive to scientific advances, and medicine was part of it. The most beneficial period was undoubtedly from 1970 to 1985, with the publication of texts by those known as the founding fathers of veterinary dermatology: Muller, Scott, Halliwell, Kirk, and Stannard. Their analyses and examinations of animals, particularly dogs and cats, led to the emergence of the first effective and therapeutic treatments.
Since 1985, veterinary dermatology has gained recognition and international teaching of its practice. Ideas are confronted worldwide, and a medical dermatology language is established.
Medicine has also become more efficient thanks to the development of numerous analytical laboratories. Bacteria and viruses are thus better studied: this is molecular biology. Not forgetting medical imaging, which allows for even further investigations in skin problems.
Nowadays, veterinary dermatology is quite similar to that of humans. The skin of our pets can be subject to diseases carried by the air or living beings (virus, bacteria), allergies (weather conditions, cleaning products used in your home, diet, etc.). Dermatology has ultimately a recent history because it’s only been for two centuries that we study animal skin problems and provide a therapeutic medical response.
Cream, oil, shampoo, kibble… All these products are developed with the aim of maintaining the coat and relieving your pet thanks to this medicine that is developing every day.
