A new dermatology office has opened and dogs are itching to get in. The first of its kind in St. Albert, North West Veterinary Dermatology Services provides medical treatment for pets with skin conditions.
Allison Cox, resident at the clinic, says there's a demand for dermatology specialists and owners are often left with travelling far distances to get their pets the care they need.
"There are a lot of pets who don't have access to this kind of care," she says. "It's a common problem we experience."
Last year Cox opened the Erin Ridge Veterinary Centre with fellow veterinarian Brent Jackson, and has had to refer pets in the past. She says there's currently one dermatologist from Edmonton that commutes to St. Albert to treat animals, but the waiting list is long.
"She comes once a quarter and she's completely full," Cox says. "We've been in conversations with her and she can't take any more patients herself."
The new dermatology office is its own entity, but the service operates out of the Erin Ridge veterinary clinic.
Tyler Udenberg, the owner of North West Veterinary Dermatology Services, is from Vancouver where he owns another dermatology service.
He and Cox had taken veterinary school together and have stayed in touch over the years. When she opened Erin Ridge Veterinary Centre last year she started thinking of bringing dermatology to St. Albert.
Throughout the year Udenberg had travelled to St. Albert from Vancouver to see pet patients and treat their skin conditions.
Eventually Cox suggested that he start his own business, based out of Erin Ridge veterinary.
"The one in Vancouver operates out of a clinic that helps cats with thyroid issues, so it's not uncommon for these businesses to work out of other locations," she says.
The dermatology office opened three weeks ago and is already full with patients. The service is referral-based and primarily deals with skin conditions that have expanded past general practitioner knowledge.
"The conditions are chronic and frustrating and hard to manage so it usually takes time," she says. "Helping them manage their pets and provide a better quality of life for them has been really rewarding."
The clinic specializes in allergic skin diseases, non-allergic skin diseases and chronic and recurrent ear diseases.
Cox is currently working up to her certification as a dermatology specialist. Each month Udenberg flies to St. Albert where he works with Cox and for one week a month she travels to Vancouver to work in his other office.
For more information on the business visit www.vetderm.ca.
