RRAEH has partnered with dermatology specialist Dr. Amy Haarstad to provide specialized care to diagnose, treat, and manage your pet’s skin, ear, and allergy concerns with compassion and expertise.
Dermatology Services
FOR YOUR PET
Dr. Haarstad specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of allergy, skin, and ear conditions in animals. Dr. Haarstad and her team’s focus is the comfort and care of every animal they treat. Using their knowledge and expertise, they collaborate with owners and your primary care doctor to co-create a thorough, personalized care plan for your pet.
Dr. Amy Haarstad focuses on what’s best for your pet. Her approach is “high-touch,” meaning her and her team take the time and effort to treat every patient with the full extent of their knowledge, expertise, and passion as animal lovers. They’re not interested in seeing as many patients as possible. They’re invested in the well-being of every pet they see, developing relationships with both them and their owners as we help manage ongoing allergy, skin, and ear problems.
Specializing in pet dermatology, Dr. Haarstad and her team have two permanent offices, located in Duluth and Osseo, Minnesota. Dr. Amy Haarstad has partnered with Red River Animal Emergency Hospital & Referral Center with the goal to make her services accessible and convenient for you and your pet here in Fargo. Dr. Haarstad visits Fargo on a routine basis to provide specialty dermatology care closer to home.
To learn more or to schedule contact Dr. Haarstad’s office directly or visit her website at haarstadveterinarydermatology.com
What Are the Signs My Pet Should See a Dermatology Vet?
Skin and ear symptoms often start gradually, then become persistent. If you are noticing repeat flare-ups or symptoms that do not fully resolve, a veterinary dermatologist can help pinpoint the cause and guide a long-term plan.
Common signs include:
- Constant scratching or rubbing against furniture
- Chewing or licking paws continually
- Ear infections that keep returning
- Itchy, red, or inflamed skin
- Odor from the ears or skin
- Hair thinning, bald patches, or a dull coat
- Hives or raised bumps on the skin
- Vomiting or loose stools that occur alongside skin flare-ups
If your pet seems uncomfortable day after day, it is worth pursuing a deeper diagnostic approach rather than repeating the same short-term fixes.
Pet Dermatology Procedures
WE PROVIDE
- Skin biopsy and dermatopathology: Minimally invasive test, done under local anesthesia (numbing the skin), where we collect and analyze a small skin sample to diagnose different skin diseases.
- Skin cytology: Simple diagnostic test used to quickly assess skin infections by examining a sample under a microscope, performed in-clinic for rapid results.
- Skin scraping: Quick, simple test to determine if mites (mange) are causing the skin condition by scraping affected and non-affected areas with a small, dull blade.
- Trichogram: Gently plucking hair samples for analysis to identify secondary fungal and mite infections.
- Bacterial and fungal culture: We take a sterile swab or biopsy of the affected area and send it to a microbiology lab to determine if the infection is bacterial, fungal, or both.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Haarstad Veterinary Dermatology directly or visit Dr. Haarstad’s website at haarstadveterinarydermatology.com
MEET
Dr. Amy Haarstad
DVM, DACVD
CONTACT HAARSTAD VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY
For more information on Haarstad Veterinary Dermatology please contact them directly:
Pet Dermatology Clinic
in Fargo, ND
Red River Animal Emergency & Referral Center provides specialty veterinary dermatology services in Fargo, ND, through our partnership with Dr. Amy Haarstad. If your pet is struggling with persistent itching, recurring ear problems, or ongoing allergy flare-ups, Dr. Haarstad and her team work closely with you and your primary care veterinarian to pursue clear answers and lasting relief.
To schedule a dermatology appointment, contact Dr. Haarstad’s office directly, and if your pet needs urgent care, you can walk in anytime because our Emergency Department is open 24/7.
What is Veterinary Dermatology Care,
and Why is It Important?
Veterinary dermatology focuses on diagnosing and managing conditions that affect the skin, ears, coat, and immune-related allergy responses. These problems can look simple at first, like scratching or redness, but they often have multiple contributing causes, such as infection, parasites, allergies, or underlying disease.
Dermatology care matters because skin and ear conditions can:
- Disrupt sleep and daily comfort due to persistent itching or pain
- Lead to repeated infections that become harder to control over time
- Trigger chronic inflammation that damages skin barriers and ear canals
- Affect appetite, energy, and overall quality of life
How Long Does Treatment Take With a Veterinary Dermatologist?
Allergy-related skin disease is often a long-term condition, not a one-time event. That does not mean your pet cannot feel better quickly. It means the best results usually come from a plan that balances short-term relief with long-term control.
Timeline expectations often look like this:
- Short-term relief can begin once infection and inflammation are addressed
- Medium-term improvement depends on identifying triggers and reducing flare frequency
- Long-term management focuses on maintaining healthy skin barriers and preventing repeat infections
Many pets need recheck visits, plan adjustments, and seasonally responsive strategies. We work collaboratively with you and your primary veterinarian to keep the plan realistic, consistent, and focused on comfort.
Schedule Your Pet’s Dermatology Consultation Today
If your pet is dealing with chronic itching, recurring ear infections, or ongoing allergy symptoms, our team is here to help you move from frustration to answers. Red River Animal Emergency & Referral Center partners with Dr. Amy Haarstad to provide specialty dermatology care in Fargo, ND, with clear communication, upfront estimates, and coordinated collaboration with your primary veterinarian.
To schedule, contact Dr. Haarstad’s office directly, and for urgent concerns, call ahead or walk in anytime because we are open 24/7.
