U of I Dermatology Rotation
Diseases affecting the skin and ears are visible to owners and a common source of distress for animals and their owners. Indeed, skin and ear diseases are the most common reasons for pet owners to seek veterinary care. Because many skin diseases have similar clinical appearances it is important to develop a systematic approach to dermatology cases. The emphasis on this rotation is primary level care of dermatology patients—teaching rounds focus on topical therapy, management of allergies (food and environmental), ectoparasites, bacterial skin infections, dermatophyte infections (including zoonotic concerns), immune‐mediated skin diseases, and diseases of the ear. Students are actively involved in performing basic diagnostic procedures including cytology, skin scrapings and skin biopsies. Principles of treatment and the importance of client education are discussed in detail. The majority of cases are outpatients. Cases are received Monday‐Friday. Year 3‐4 veterinary students are involved in all aspects of case management including history taking, physical examinations, discussions of differential diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, discussions of treatment options and writing of discharge instructions.
From the UIUC website: "Part of the flagship campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the world’s premier research institutions, the College of Veterinary Medicine is home to three academic departments, a full-service teaching hospital, the state’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and clinical, diagnostic, and research services in Chicago."
With regard to the Dermatology/Otology Service at the UI Veterinary Teaching Hospital: This Service is currently staffed with two board-certified veterinary dermatologists, 2 certified veterinary technicians, and 1 third-year veterinary dermatology resident on a full-time basis. The Service hosts veterinary students in 2-week rotations for 4th-year students and 1-week rotations for veterinary technology students and veterinary medical students in years 1-3. Resources include two video otoscopy units, laser surgical equipment, and cryosurgical equipment, along with access to CT, MRI, three teaching microscopes with video access, four dedicated laboratory work areas, a dedicated dermatology rounds room, and inter-departmental collaboration with all other services in the hospital as well as the veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
The Dermatology/ Otology Service hours are Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm. Fourth year students receive patients Monday-Friday from 9:30am to 3pm, with time before and after receiving dedicated to case rounds and instruction provided by a board-certified dermatologist, third year dermatology resident, or a certified veterinary technician who is dedicated to the Dermatology/Otology Service (see course description for details). Students work in pairs or groups of 3 and rotate as primary student responsible for each case. Each case is overseen personally by a board-certified dermatologist or a third-year dermatology resident. Students are responsible for gathering the medical history, performing the initial physical examination, collecting and interpreting cytology findings, providing a differential diagnosis list, and assisting in the development of a care plan for the patient. Students accompany the primary clinician when discussing the care plan with the client, and students are responsible for the initial draft of the discharge instructions and medical record. Students may be responsible for follow up with laboratory findings, depending on the outcome and on a case-by-case basis.
Students are supported at all times by the primary clinician for the case as well as the veterinary technical staff.
1008 West Hazelwood Drive
Urbana, IL 61802
United States