Appointment FAQ

To become board certified, or achieve diplomate status, a licensed veterinarian must complete an internship (1 year) and a residency (3 year) program accredited by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). This includes extensive training in anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the skin, clinical dermatology, research, and pharmacology. After the successful completion of residency training, the certification process includes requirements for original research, publication in a scientific journal, medical presentations, and demonstration of superior case management.

The final step in the certification process is the successful completion of a multi-day comprehensive examination administered by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Only those dermatologists with diplomate status (Dip. ACVD or DACVD) are recognized as experts within the veterinary medical community.

The American College of Veterinary Dermatology is an organization of veterinarians certified as specialists in dermatology. The college is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association and must maintain the highest standards of training and certification.

If you notice your pet scratching, scooting, shaking their head, obsessively licking their skin (including the feet), or observe hair loss, skin/ear redness, greasiness, scabs, or odor, a dermatology consultation may be beneficial.

Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologists® are considered experts in the management of a wide range of skin and ear diseases including, but not limited to, the following conditions:

  • Allergy (flea, environmental, food)
  • Skin and ear infections (yeast, bacteria)
  • Methicillin and multi-drug resistant infections
  • Viral, fungal (including ringworm or dermatophytosis), and other infectious skin conditions
  • Parasitic skin diseases (mites or mange)
  • Immune-mediated or auto-immune skin diseases (lupus, pemphigus, drug-induced)
  • Endocrine/hormone-related diseases (hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, Alopecia X and sex hormone imbalances)
  • Metabolic skin diseases
  • Hereditary and congenital skin conditions
  • Keratinization disorders
  • Neoplastic (cancerous and non-cancerous) skin diseases
  • Hair and hair follicle associated diseases
  • Conditions affecting the nasal planum (outside of nose), foot pads, and claws

  • Skin and ear cytology (microscopic examination of samples)
  • Trichoscopy (microscopic examination of hair shaft and bulb)
  • Skin scrapings (superficial and deep)
  • Skin and ear cultures (aerobic, anaerobic, fungal, mycobacterial)
  • PCR testing for selected diseases
  • Skin biopsy, small mass removal, and dermatopathology (with and without sedation)
  • Phovia  Fluorescent Light Therapy
  • Cryosurgery (Westchester office only)
  • Otoscopy (ear canal examination) and video otoscopy with digital image capture
  • Intradermal and blood allergy testing for airborne allergy with immunotherapy (allergy injections or mouth drops)
  • Endocrine/hormonal blood testing
  • Nutritional counseling for skin related diseases
  • Ear flushes, pedicures (including soft claw application), and anal sac expression

We recognize that a triangle of care exists between the family veterinarian, our practice, and you, the pet parent. The provision of compassionate, exceptional care that is always in your pet’s best interest, is central to nurturing this relationship.

Prior to your appointment, all medical records will be thoroughly reviewed. Dr. Budgin will often speak with your veterinarian prior to and immediately following your visit to continually revise and strengthen the combined treatment plan. At the conclusion of the appointment, full medical records, including all diagnostic results, as well as a detailed referral letter is sent to your family veterinarian – often before you leave the hospital!

You may call, email, text, or reach us through our social media channels. Additionally, you may fill out the form on our Contact page.

New York City: (347) 624-5100 (call or text)
Westchester: (914) 495-8300 (call or text)
Fax: (914) 688-1314

  • We will contact your family veterinarian and other specialty centers for medical records including all previous laboratory results. We may ask for your assistance with this.
  • If your pet is fearful, anxious, or aggressive, it is very important that you inform us of this when scheduling, so Dr. Budgin can contact your veterinarian in advance to plan for your pet’s unique needs.
  • Bring all current medications – pill vials, shampoo bottles, etc.
  • Pack your pet’s favorite snacks, toys, etc. to enhance the visit.
  • Please email or bring any previous images of your pet’s skin condition; these are very helpful!
  • Do not bathe or apply any medications to your pet’s skin or ears for five days prior to your visit. If this is not possible, please contact the office.
  • If you have a morning appointment or anticipate that your pet may require sedation for a procedure, please do not feed your pet breakfast and ideally, fast (no food; water ok) your pet for at least six hours prior to the appointment.
  • If you have an E collar, bodysuit, or bootie, bring these to every appointment and scheduled procedure.
  • Fill out both Client Information and Patient History forms – these must be completed and submitted prior to your appointment. If you are not able to do so in advance, please arrive 15-20 minutes early.
  • If this is your first visit, please arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to your exam so we can  review any additional materials that you present.
  • If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours notice to avoid forfeiting or paying a deposit to reschedule.

  • Upon arrival, please text the office at (914) 495-8300 with your name and your pet’s name.
  • Please have a seat in the waiting room or if you prefer to wait in your car or outside, please alert the staff via text when you check in. Please inform us immediately of any needs and we will try to accommodate. This may be as simple as having you move to an examination room, wait outside, or providing water and snacks!
  • Expect to spend two hours for an initial consultation and one hour for a re-examination at the hospital. We provide comprehensive care with a mindful, gentle approach, focused on client education and communication, so if there is a wait, it may be that an earlier appointment required more time. We always try to build this into the schedule, but veterinary care is unpredictable, and we assure you that you will have our undivided attention during your visit.
  • As we are a paperless practice for environmental reasons, we strongly encourage you to accept invoices, estimates, and receipts via email.

All major credit and debit cards, as well as cash, are accepted. We do not accept checks. Payment is required at the time of service. For payment plans, please visit Care Credit – we offer a 6 month deferred interest plan.

Appointment FAQ

To become board certified, or achieve diplomate status, a licensed veterinarian must complete an internship (1 year) and a residency (3 year) program accredited by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). This includes extensive training in anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the skin, clinical dermatology, research, and pharmacology. After the successful completion of residency training, the certification process includes requirements for original research, publication in a scientific journal, medical presentations, and demonstration of superior case management.

The final step in the certification process is the successful completion of a multi-day comprehensive examination administered by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Only those dermatologists with diplomate status (Dip. ACVD or DACVD) are recognized as experts within the veterinary medical community.

The American College of Veterinary Dermatology is an organization of veterinarians certified as specialists in dermatology. The college is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association and must maintain the highest standards of training and certification.

If you notice your pet scratching, scooting, shaking their head, obsessively licking their skin (including the feet), or observe hair loss, skin/ear redness, greasiness, scabs, or odor, a dermatology consultation may be beneficial.

Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologists® are considered experts in the management of a wide range of skin and ear diseases including, but not limited to, the following conditions:

  • Allergy (flea, environmental, food)
  • Skin and ear infections (yeast, bacteria)
  • Methicillin and multi-drug resistant infections
  • Viral, fungal (including ringworm or dermatophytosis), and other infectious skin conditions
  • Parasitic skin diseases (mites or mange)
  • Immune-mediated or auto-immune skin diseases (lupus, pemphigus, drug-induced)
  • Endocrine/hormone-related diseases (hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, Alopecia X and sex hormone imbalances)
  • Metabolic skin diseases
  • Hereditary and congenital skin conditions
  • Keratinization disorders
  • Neoplastic (cancerous and non-cancerous) skin diseases
  • Hair and hair follicle associated diseases
  • Conditions affecting the nasal planum (outside of nose), foot pads, and claws

  • Skin and ear cytology (microscopic examination of samples)
  • Trichoscopy (microscopic examination of hair shaft and bulb)
  • Skin scrapings (superficial and deep)
  • Skin and ear cultures (aerobic, anaerobic, fungal, mycobacterial)
  • PCR testing for selected diseases
  • Skin biopsy, small mass removal, and dermatopathology (with and without sedation)
  • Phovia  Fluorescent Light Therapy
  • Cryosurgery (Westchester office only)
  • Otoscopy (ear canal examination) and video otoscopy with digital image capture
  • Intradermal and blood allergy testing for airborne allergy with immunotherapy (allergy injections or mouth drops)
  • Endocrine/hormonal blood testing
  • Nutritional counseling for skin related diseases
  • Ear flushes, pedicures (including soft claw application), and anal sac expression

We recognize that a triangle of care exists between the family veterinarian, our practice, and you, the pet parent. The provision of compassionate, exceptional care that is always in your pet’s best interest, is central to nurturing this relationship.

Prior to your appointment, all medical records will be thoroughly reviewed. Dr. Budgin will often speak with your veterinarian prior to and immediately following your visit to continually revise and strengthen the combined treatment plan. At the conclusion of the appointment, full medical records, including all diagnostic results, as well as a detailed referral letter is sent to your family veterinarian – often before you leave the hospital!

You may call, email, text, or reach us through our social media channels. Additionally, you may fill out the form on our Contact page.

New York City: (347) 624-5100 (call or text)
Westchester: (914) 495-8300 (call or text)
Fax: (914) 688-1314

  • We will contact your family veterinarian and other specialty centers for medical records including all previous laboratory results. We may ask for your assistance with this.
  • If your pet is fearful, anxious, or aggressive, it is very important that you inform us of this when scheduling, so Dr. Budgin can contact your veterinarian in advance to plan for your pet’s unique needs.
  • Bring all current medications – pill vials, shampoo bottles, etc.
  • Pack your pet’s favorite snacks, toys, etc. to enhance the visit.
  • Please email or bring any previous images of your pet’s skin condition; these are very helpful!
  • Do not bathe or apply any medications to your pet’s skin or ears for five days prior to your visit. If this is not possible, please contact the office.
  • If you have a morning appointment or anticipate that your pet may require sedation for a procedure, please do not feed your pet breakfast and ideally, fast (no food; water ok) your pet for at least six hours prior to the appointment.
  • If you have an E collar, bodysuit, or bootie, bring these to every appointment and scheduled procedure.
  • Fill out both Client Information and Patient History forms – these must be completed and submitted prior to your appointment. If you are not able to do so in advance, please arrive 15-20 minutes early.
  • If this is your first visit, please arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to your exam so we can  review any additional materials that you present.
  • If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours notice to avoid forfeiting or paying a deposit to reschedule.

  • Upon arrival, please text the office at (914) 495-8300 with your name and your pet’s name.
  • Please have a seat in the waiting room or if you prefer to wait in your car or outside, please alert the staff via text when you check in. Please inform us immediately of any needs and we will try to accommodate. This may be as simple as having you move to an examination room, wait outside, or providing water and snacks!
  • Expect to spend two hours for an initial consultation and one hour for a re-examination at the hospital. We provide comprehensive care with a mindful, gentle approach, focused on client education and communication, so if there is a wait, it may be that an earlier appointment required more time. We always try to build this into the schedule, but veterinary care is unpredictable, and we assure you that you will have our undivided attention during your visit.
  • As we are a paperless practice for environmental reasons, we strongly encourage you to accept invoices, estimates, and receipts via email.

All major credit and debit cards, as well as cash, are accepted. We do not accept checks. Payment is required at the time of service. For payment plans, please visit Care Credit – we offer a 6 month deferred interest plan.