Dermatologic Care for Paws, Nails, and Skin Lesions in the Chicagoland Area

If your pet has ongoing paw irritation, abnormal nails, or unusual skin growths, they may have an underlying dermatologic condition. Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating paw, nail, and skin lesions, including growths and cancer.

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Specialized Care for Paws, Nails, and Skin Growths in Pets

At Midwest Veterinary Dermatology Center, we understand that skin health extends beyond the coat. The paws, nails, and skin are complex structures that can be affected by a wide range of conditions — from keratinization defects and autoimmune diseases to tumors, skin cancer, and congenital anomalies.

Our board-certified dermatologist provides advanced diagnostics and treatment plans for these often-overlooked but critically important areas of your pet’s health.

Common Conditions Affecting Pet Paws, Nails, and Skin

Diseases of the paws, pads, and nails can significantly impact your pet’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Similarly, abnormal skin growths or lesions may be benign or early indicators of skin cancer or internal disease. Accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the most effective course of action.

Common Conditions We Treat:

Pet Paw Diseases: Swollen, cracked, or ulcerated paw pads due to immune-mediated, infectious, or congenital conditions
Pet Nail Diseases: Nail loss, thickening, brittleness, or abnormal growth caused by infection, trauma, or autoimmune issues
Skin Growths and Tumors: Including benign cysts, warts, and potentially malignant skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma
Keratinization Defects: Disorders affecting how skin cells form, often resulting in crusting, scaling, or thickened paw pads
Congenital Anomalies of the Skin: Birth defects that affect skin texture, nail formation, or pad structure

If your pet has a recurring paw issue, nail abnormality, or an unusual skin lump, a dermatologic evaluation is strongly recommended.

How We Diagnose These Conditions

Our approach to diagnosing these conditions involves a detailed clinical exam and targeted diagnostics to determine the exact cause. Tools and techniques we use include:

Skin Biopsy and Dermatohistopathology: The gold standard for identifying abnormal growths, cancerous lesions, or structural skin diseases
Cytology: Helps detect infection or inflammation by analyzing cells from skin, paws, or nails
Bacterial or Fungal Cultures: Used for chronic nail or paw infections to guide targeted treatment
Imaging or Referral: When deeper tissue involvement or metastasis is suspected, imaging or referral to a surgical specialist may be recommended

Each diagnostic step is carefully chosen based on your pet’s history, symptoms, and clinical presentation.

Tailored Treatment Plans

Once we have a clear diagnosis, our team creates a customized treatment plan that may include:

Topical or systemic antibiotics or antifungals
Immune-modulating medications for autoimmune nail/pad disease
Biopsy of skin masses only
Management of congenital or keratinization defects with medicated shampoos, moisturizers, and dietary adjustments
Long-term follow-up and monitoring for recurring or high-risk cases

We work closely with referring veterinarians and pet parents to ensure continuity of care throughout your pet’s treatment journey.

Set Up a Visit for Skin, Nail, or Paw Evaluation

At Midwest Veterinary Dermatology Center, we provide specialized, compassionate care for pet paw diseases, nail abnormalities, keratinization defects, and pet skin cancer.