Pet Skin Problems · Abu Dhabi
Dog & Cat Skin
Problems in Abu Dhabi —
Find the Cause
Itching that won’t stop. Hair loss. Rashes that come back. Skin problems in pets are rarely just a surface issue — they are often a signal from inside the body. Senior veterinarians educated at respected European universities, with 25+ years of clinical experience. In-house lab results in under 15 minutes.
What’s Happening to Your Pet?
Start With What You’re Seeing
Skin problems look different depending on the cause. Click what matches your pet’s situation.
Constant scratching & itching
Won’t stop scratching, biting or licking the same spots — day and night
Most Common Cause of Skin Problems in Pets
Allergies — Environmental, Food & Contact
Allergies are the single most frequent cause of skin problems in dogs and cats. In Abu Dhabi, the climate, dust levels and specific plant life create particular allergy challenges that may not exist in the countries where many expat owners originally lived with their pets.
Environmental allergies cause reactions to dust mites, pollen, mould and airborne particles. Food allergies — often to protein sources — present as recurring skin inflammation, ear infections and digestive symptoms. Contact allergies can develop from cleaning products, fabrics or outdoor surfaces.
The important thing: allergies are manageable, but only after the trigger is identified. Treating the itch without identifying the cause leads to recurring problems and escalating discomfort for your pet. Our approach combines a thorough clinical assessment with in-house blood work to identify possible systemic or immune-related contributors.
Abu Dhabi specific: The desert climate, sand composition and specific flora in the UAE can trigger allergic reactions in pets that were symptom-free in Europe or the US. If your pet developed skin problems after moving here, allergy testing and assessment is a sensible first step.
Fleas, ticks or visible parasites
Spotted something moving, or excessive scratching with no other explanation
External Parasites
Fleas, Ticks, Mites & Mange
Parasite-related skin problems are common in Abu Dhabi — particularly in pets that spend time outdoors or come into contact with other animals. Fleas cause intense itching and, in sensitive animals, can trigger a full allergic reaction from a single bite. Ticks attach to skin and can transmit disease if not removed promptly and correctly.
Mites are microscopic and cause conditions ranging from demodectic mange — often seen in younger dogs with developing immune systems — to sarcoptic mange, which is highly contagious and intensely itchy. Some mite-related conditions are transmissible to humans, making prompt diagnosis and treatment important for the whole household.
Identifying the specific parasite is essential — treatment varies significantly depending on the type. Our in-house assessment determines the cause and the correct course of action.
Patchy hair loss & scaly skin
Circular bald patches, flaky or crusty areas — possibly ringworm
Fungal Skin Infections
Ringworm & Other Fungal Conditions
Ringworm — despite the name, it is a fungal infection, not a worm — is one of the more common dermatological presentations in Abu Dhabi, particularly in cats. It causes circular areas of hair loss, scaly or crusty skin and is not always itchy, which makes it easy to miss or misidentify.
Ringworm is transmissible to humans, including children — making it important to identify and treat quickly. It can be detected using a specialised lamp examination or fungal culture. Treatment involves antifungal therapy and, in multi-pet households, precautions to prevent spread.
Other fungal conditions — including yeast overgrowth, which commonly affects skin folds, ears and paws — are also frequently seen in the Abu Dhabi climate. Warm, humid microenvironments in skin folds create ideal conditions for yeast to proliferate.
Abu Dhabi specific: German Vet themselves note ringworm as a condition to watch for in Abu Dhabi. The warm climate and exposure to street animals increase transmission risk. If your cat has unexplained hair loss, ringworm should be ruled out early.
Red, inflamed or weeping skin
Hot spots, oozing patches, skin that looks infected
Bacterial Skin Infections
Pyoderma, Hot Spots & Secondary Infections
Bacterial skin infections in pets frequently develop as a secondary consequence of another problem — allergies, parasites or wounds that get infected. Hot spots — acute moist dermatitis — are particularly common: areas of rapidly spreading, intensely itchy, inflamed skin that pets scratch or bite until they become raw and infected.
Pyoderma — bacterial infection of the skin — can be superficial (affecting the top layer of skin) or deep (reaching into tissue and follicles). Deep pyoderma requires more intensive treatment and careful follow-up. In Abu Dhabi’s warm climate, bacterial skin infections can escalate quickly without treatment.
Our in-house laboratory allows us to assess the type of infection and guide appropriate treatment — without waiting days for external lab results.
Dull coat, weight change, fatigue
Skin and coat problems alongside other symptoms — may be internal
When Skin Is a Symptom, Not the Problem
Hormonal & Internal Causes of Skin Disease
Not all skin problems originate in the skin. Hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease and sex hormone imbalances commonly present as coat and skin changes — thinning coat, symmetrical hair loss, darkened skin, poor wound healing or a generally dull appearance.
This is why our dermatology assessment does not stop at the skin surface. In-house blood work — CBC, biochemistry up to 24 parameters and hormones — allows us to check for internal and hormonal causes during the same visit. Results are available in under 15 minutes.
Treating a hormonal skin condition with topical creams alone will not resolve the problem. The underlying cause must be identified and addressed. This is the difference between a skin assessment and a full clinical investigation.
Not sure — it just doesn’t look right
Something is off with the skin or coat but you can’t identify what
“The Skin Is the Mirror of the Body’s Health.”
Skin problems that keep coming back, that respond to treatment and then return, or that appear alongside other symptoms — weight change, fatigue, increased thirst — are telling you something. At Best Pet Vet, a skin consultation includes in-house blood work to look beyond the surface. CBC, biochemistry up to 24 parameters, hormones and organ markers — results available in under 15 minutes during the same appointment.
Diagnostic Approach
How We Find the Actual Cause
Surface treatment without diagnosis is the reason skin problems keep returning.
Our approach starts with understanding what is actually driving the condition.
Clinical Skin Examination
Systematic assessment of the coat, skin surface, distribution of lesions, affected areas and pattern of involvement. The pattern often points to the cause — allergies, parasites and fungal infections each present differently.
In-House Lab — Results in Under 15 min
CBC, biochemistry up to 24 parameters, hormones, organ markers — all in-house. Hormonal and internal causes of skin disease identified the same day. No waiting for external lab results before starting treatment.
Specialised Skin Tests
Wood’s lamp examination for ringworm. Skin scrapes for mite identification. Cytology samples to assess infection type. The right test depends on the clinical picture — your senior vet decides which is appropriate at the consultation.
Full History & Environment Assessment
When did symptoms start? What has changed in diet, environment or routine? Abu Dhabi-specific triggers — sand, humidity, seasonal pollen — are considered as part of the assessment.
Cardiology Connection — When Skin Affects the Heart
Bacterial infections left untreated can enter the bloodstream. For pets with skin conditions and any cardiac history, our on-site cardiology capability means both can be assessed in the same visit.
Ultrasound If Indicated
For skin conditions with suspected hormonal or internal organ involvement, abdominal ultrasound can be performed on the same visit. No referral, no second appointment.
At the Appointment
What Happens at a Skin Consultation
From arrival to leaving with a clear plan — what to expect at every step.
01
History
Full clinical and environmental history. When, where, what changed. Diet, routine, travel, other pets.
02
Skin Exam
Systematic assessment of coat, skin, lesion pattern and distribution by a senior vet.
03
Lab & Tests
In-house blood work and skin-specific tests where indicated. Results during the appointment.
04
Diagnosis
Clear explanation of what is causing the problem — not just what to put on it.
05
Your Plan
Written treatment plan, follow-up timeline and what to watch for at home before you leave.
Why Best Pet Vet
We Find the Cause.
Not Just the Cream.
Skin problems that keep coming back have not been properly diagnosed. That is where we start.
In-house lab — hormonal and internal causes identified same day
CBC, biochemistry up to 24 parameters, hormones and organ markers — all in-house, results in under 15 minutes. Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s and other internal drivers of skin disease can be investigated during the same appointment as the skin examination.
senior veterinarians — 25+ years of clinical experience
Dr. Davor and Dr. Maya bring over 25 years of hands-on clinical experience with internationally recognised clinical training. All doctors hold valid UAE licenses. Dermatology is a discipline that rewards experience — knowing what a condition looks like at different stages, and what to look for beyond the obvious presentation.
Ringworm and fungal conditions — identified and managed correctly
Fungal skin infections are transmissible to humans and require specific treatment that differs from bacterial infection. Correct identification is not optional. We perform Wood’s lamp examination and, where indicated, fungal culture to confirm the diagnosis before treatment begins.
Abu Dhabi environment factored into every assessment
The dust, climate, seasonal variation and specific fauna of the UAE contribute to skin and allergy presentations that may not appear in European or American veterinary textbooks. We practise here and factor local conditions into every assessment.
Exotic animals — dermatology across all species
Rabbits, birds and reptiles develop skin conditions too. Dermatological presentations in exotic species require different knowledge and different diagnostic approaches. Best Pet Vet assesses and treats skin conditions in all exotic species we see.
Serving All of Abu Dhabi
Pet Dermatology Near You
Al Raha Beach location with free parking — easy to reach from every part of Abu Dhabi.
Book a Consultation
Book a Skin Consultation Today
Same-day and next-day appointments available. When you contact us, describe your pet’s symptoms and how long they have been present — our team will advise on what to prepare before the appointment.
Clinic Information
FAQ
Common Questions About Pet Skin Problems
Persistent scratching is most often caused by allergies — environmental, food-related or contact — or by parasites such as fleas or mites. Other causes include bacterial or fungal skin infections. A veterinary examination including skin assessment and, where indicated, in-house blood work is the only reliable way to identify the cause and begin the right treatment. Antihistamines alone rarely resolve the problem if the underlying cause has not been identified.
Yes. Ringworm — a fungal infection of the skin, not a worm — is seen relatively often in Abu Dhabi, particularly in cats. It causes patchy hair loss and scaly skin and is not always itchy, which makes it easy to overlook. Importantly, ringworm is transmissible to humans. It can be identified through a Wood’s lamp examination or fungal culture and is treatable with appropriate antifungal therapy.
Yes — and this is one of the most important points about veterinary dermatology. Skin and coat changes can reflect hormonal imbalances, internal organ conditions, immune-mediated disease and nutritional issues. A skin consultation at Best Pet Vet includes in-house blood work to check for these systemic causes. Results are available in under 15 minutes during the same appointment.
Recurring skin problems almost always indicate that the underlying cause has not been fully identified or addressed. Treating the visible symptom — itch, rash, hair loss — without identifying what is driving it leads to temporary improvement and then relapse. Our approach prioritises finding the cause: allergy testing, parasite identification, fungal testing and in-house blood work to check for hormonal and internal drivers.
For in-house blood panels — CBC, biochemistry, hormones and organ markers — results are available in under 15 minutes during the same appointment. Skin samples for fungal culture may require external processing with a longer turnaround; your senior vet will advise on timing at the consultation based on what tests are indicated.
Yes. Best Pet Vet assesses and treats dermatological conditions in exotic animals including rabbits, birds and reptiles. Skin presentations in exotic species differ significantly from dogs and cats and require specialist knowledge. Please call or WhatsApp ahead so the right team member is available for your animal.