Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD

Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, wins the 2025 dvm360 Veterinary Hero award in the dermatology category.

Managing and treating dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis can be overwhelming for both the owner and their pet. Establishing a solid multimodal approach and having strong client communication from the entire veterinary team can help better manage this chronic disease. (Sponsored by Ceva)

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, and Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, discuss navigating life post-pandemic for dogs who were adopted during COVID-19 and provide final recommendations for the management of an itchy dog.

Insights on behavioral side effects that can occur when treating an itchy dog and subsequent management strategies.

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, and Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, discuss how a general practitioner should approach the treatment of a pruritic dog that also has behavioral concerns.

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, shares insight on using systematic desensitization as a behavior therapy tactic to settle down restless atopic dogs while their owners are away.

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, and Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, discuss how a general practitioner should approach the treatment of a pruritic dog that also has behavioral concerns.

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, brings a behavioral perspective to treating anxiety as a cause of licking for an itchy dog.

The importance of multimodal therapy and ways to increase compliance with topical therapies for an itchy dog.

An expert perspective from a board-certified veterinary dermatologist on the minimum dermatologic database of an itchy dog including the role of anti-pruritic therapy, skin scrapes, and biopsy.

The importance of assessing PMH (past medical history) including age, seasonality, and response to prior medications when approaching the workup of an itchy dog.

Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, and Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, define the many forms an itch can present for a dog and associated behavioral changes.