Dr. Laurie Stewart, VMD, Diplomate, ACVD
Owner/Operator Dr. Stewart is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire’s Life Science and Agricultural Pre-veterinary program, and a veterinary medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Allergies and Skin Disorders
Skin disorders in dogs have many causes, and many of the common skin disorders that afflict people have a counterpart in these pets.
The condition of the animal’s skin and coat can also be an important indicator of its general health. Skin disorders vary from acute, self-limiting problems to chronic or long-lasting problems requiring life-long treatment.
What To Expect When You Arrive for your Appointment
When you arrive for your visit, please wait in your car, and text reception at: 978-355-7097 (Idexx Communicator) to let us know that you and your pet have arrived.
For your Initial Visit, the doctor will call you on your cell phone with specific questions about your pet’s medical history, environment and diet.
When the waiting room is clear, we will notify you by text to bring your pet in. Dr. Stewart and your technician will greet you, and take your pet to our Treatment Area for an extensive physical examination. At this point, laboratory samples will be collected for submission.
Dr. Stewart will create a diagnostic plan based on your pet’s exam and history, and discuss modalities and treatment options with you. Your technician will go over the estimate, answering any questions you may have.
When treatments are complete, Dr. Stewart will speak with you about any laboratory findings. Your technician will then discuss at-home care, and the plan going forward, answering any questions you may have.
An Initial Exam will be two hours in duration, and a Recheck Exam usually takes one hour.
Occasionally you may have a short wait before your appointment. If this occurs, we apologize in advance! The patient before you may need a little extra TLC.
Chill Protocol
We use fear-free practices when handling our patients to ensure the best possible experience during their visit.
If your dog is very anxious or fear-aggressive, please ask your Primary Veterinarian to dispense a “Chill Protocol” to give before his or her visit with us. These medications are given the night before the appointment, and again two hours before the appointment.
If your dog is too fearful or aggressive during the visit to tolerate a physical exam and treatments, we may have to provide the “chill” medications, and reschedule your visit to a later date. We thank you for your cooperation!