Veterinary Dermatology by BluePearl Nashville TN

BluePearl Pet Hospital
Nashville, TN
Dermatology

24/7 Emergency and Specialty

Pet dermatology by BluePearl.

Advanced medicine to help your pet live a better, more comfortable life.

At BluePearl, we offer comprehensive veterinary dermatology services tailored for dogs and cats. We understand that seeing your pet experience unusual symptoms or act out of the ordinary can be stressful – especially if you don’t know what’s wrong. Fortunately, our veterinary dermatology team is made up of experts in diagnosing and treating diseases of the skin or ears, and we’re here to help. Our animal dermatologists focus on a number of dermatological conditions, including allergy testing and treatments to ensure effective care.

Our commitment is not just to treat illnesses; it’s to enhance the well-being of your pet and be with you every step of the way.

Conditions we treat.

A BluePearl anesthesiology and pain management vet prepares to fix an anesthetic facemask on a yellow lab while a vet tech helps hold the dog on the exam table.

If your pet has a skin condition or allergies, you’ll have an entire team assisting to improve their quality of life so you can focus on spending precious moments together.

  • Allergies (both environmental, like atopic dermatitis, and food-related)
  • Acute and chronic disease of the skin and ears
  • Parasitic skin diseases (like mange)
  • Fungal infections (like ringworm)

Services we offer.

Our specialized animal hospital provides services that include diagnostic testing, allergy testing, and treatment plans for pets experiencing skin issues and ear disease. Your pet will receive unparalleled medical care during their time at the hospital (and they’ll be spoiled with love and attention, too). We also specialize in diagnosing skin problems, atopic dermatitis, and allergic reactions.

Advanced diagnostics

Your pet can’t tell us what’s wrong, so we use sophisticated diagnostics, allergy testing, and imaging tools to uncover the cause of issues like itching, hair loss, recurring ear infections, and other skin problems.

  • Skin biopsy
  • Skin cytology
  • Trichogram
  • Skin scrapings
  • Video otoscopy
  • Bacterial and fungal cultures
  • Intradermal allergy testing
  • Blood/urine testing

Treatment plans

Just as no two patients are the same, neither are their treatment plans. Our comprehensive veterinary dermatology team has experience with a range of advanced procedures and minimally invasive care options to get your pet on the path to wellness, including treatment for atopic dermatitis and allergic reactions.

  • Medications (oral and topical)
  • Allergy immunotherapy
  • Laser surgery
  • Deep ear flushes

Our board certified specialists and dermatology team.

Experience makes all the difference.

Our dermatology team is made up of veterinarians, vet technicians and assistants, and support staff with rigorous training and experience in specialty medicine. The team works hand in hand to provide the compassionate care your pet needs, including accurate diagnosis and specialized treatment for allergic and skin disorders. Because we’re a multidisciplinary hospital, the team can consult the expertise of other specialty departments, too.

Kaitlyn Bello Edmonds

DVM, DACVD
Board Certified in Veterinary Dermatology

Dermatology
On the job

Dr. Kaitlyn Bello Edmonds is passionate about treating chronic, severe dermatologic diseases that compromise the quality of life for both pet and owner. She loves partnering with primary care veterinarians to create a team-based, community approach to pet care. She is happy to take referrals, phone calls and emails at any time and looks forward to caring for you and your pet!

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology
  • Residency, Dermatology and Otology, Ohio State University, Columbus
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Franklin, TN
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Auburn University, AL

What to expect.

We want you to be prepared for your pet’s visit to the dermatologist, so you have one less thing to worry about. Our entire BluePearl team will be with you every step of the way.

Before your visit

Make an initial appointment by calling us directly or via referral from your pet’s primary vet.

We’ll request records from your primary or emergency vet before your first visit and collaborate with them to discuss your pet’s history and current condition.

During your visit

Whenever possible, we’ll examine your pet by your side to alleviate their anxiety. Intradermal allergy testing may be performed to identify specific allergens or sensitivities causing their issues. If additional tests are needed for a diagnosis, we’ll discuss those options with you.

You’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to ask questions as we go over your pet’s diagnosis together.

Before you leave, you’ll receive a detailed treatment plan, discharge instructions and any recommended medications. We’ll schedule a recheck appointment and make sure you’re aware of any symptoms you should watch out for at home.

After your visit

Our team will continue to partner with your primary veterinarian as part of the ongoing management of your pet’s care.

You know your pet better than anyone, and you play a crucial role in their treatment plan. If you have any concerns about providing care at home (such as giving medication, maintaining a specific diet, handling immune system sensitivities, or monitoring your pet’s symptoms), let us know – we’re here for you.

Frequently asked questions.

A veterinary dermatologist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the skin, ears, hair, nails and allergies in pets.

Conditions commonly treated include:
  • Environmental and food allergies
  • Chronic or recurrent ear infections
  • Bacterial and fungal skin infections
  • Parasite-related skin disease
  • Autoimmune skin disorders
  • Hormonal (endocrine) skin conditions
  • Hair loss disorders
  • Skin masses and unusual growths
Dermatologists focus on identifying the root cause of skin problems and not just treating the symptoms.
Skin disease can appear in many ways. Common signs include:
  • Excessive scratching, licking or chewing
  • Red, inflamed or thickened skin
  • Hair loss or bald patches
  • Recurrent ear infections
  • Scabs, sores or crusting
  • Unpleasant odor
  • Head shaking
  • Darkened skin
  • Changes in coat quality
If these signs persist or keep returning, specialty evaluation may help.
You should consider visiting a dermatology veterinarian if:
  • Skin or ear issues are recurring despite treatment
  • Symptoms persist for weeks or months
  • Your pet requires repeated courses of antibiotics or steroids
  • The diagnosis is unclear
  • Your primary care veterinarian recommends specialty testing
Chronic skin problems are often manageable long term, but they benefit from a thorough, specialized approach.
Diagnosis often involves a combination of:
  • Detailed medical history
  • Skin cytology (examining skin cells under a microscope)
  • Skin scrapings to check for parasites
  • Fungal cultures
  • Allergy testing (blood testing or intradermal skin testing)
  • Biopsies in complex cases
  • Food trials for suspected food allergies
Because many skin diseases look similar, diagnostic testing is key to creating an effective treatment plan.
At your pet’s first hospital visit, the dermatology team will:
  • Review your pet’s full medical history
  • Discuss diet, environment and prior treatments
  • Perform a thorough skin and ear examination
  • Recommend diagnostic testing as needed
  • Develop a customized treatment plan
Skin conditions can be complex, so the first visit is often detailed and may take longer than a routine appointment.
Some infections improve within a few weeks, but chronic conditions, especially allergies, often require long-term management.

It may take:
  • Several weeks to control active infections
  • Several months to fine-tune allergy treatment plans
  • Ongoing monitoring for lifelong conditions
The goal is to significantly reduce flare-ups and improve your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Many chronic skin conditions, particularly allergies, cannot be cured but can be successfully managed.

Ongoing care may include:
  • Prescription medications
  • Allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots or oral drops)
  • Specialized diets
  • Medicated shampoos or topical treatments
  • Regular ear care
With consistent management, most pets experience substantial improvement.
You can make an appointment directly with our hospital, but we also welcome referrals from your primary care veterinarian.

If referred, medical records are shared to ensure coordinated and efficient care.
Collaboration is central to specialty care. The dermatology team:
  • Shares diagnostic results and treatment plans
  • Provides updates throughout care
  • Offers guidance for long-term management
  • Transitions routine follow-up back to your primary care veterinarian when appropriate
This team-based approach supports continuity of care.
The most frequently diagnosed skin issues include:
  • Allergic dermatitis (environmental or food-related)
  • Flea allergy dermatitis
  • Bacterial skin infections (pyoderma)
  • Yeast infections
  • Ear infections (otitis)
  • Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis)
Early treatment can prevent minor issues from becoming chronic problems.
Consider specialty evaluation if:
  • Ear infections keep coming back
  • Infections do not fully resolve with treatment
  • Your pet needs frequent medications
  • There is persistent head shaking, pain, or discharge
  • The ear canal becomes thickened or narrowed
Chronic ear infections can become progressively more difficult to treat, so early intervention can make a significant difference.