Dermatology
Dr Duncan Graham – BVSc, BSc (Hons)
Visiting Skin Consultant

Duncan graduated from Massey in 1984.
He is a member of NZ Veterinary Association and the Companion Animal Society, and a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatologists..



He spent a year in the USA studying Dermatology at UC Davis and Cornell, then a six month residency in dermatology.

Duncan lives with his family in Nelson, and visits At the Vets once monthly to see animals referred to him for skin problems.

This relationship was started because of Sylvia McLean's interest in dermatology. She had caught wind of Duncan's return from a year of dermatology study in the US and invited him down. The great hospitality and interesting cases has meant that the relationship has flourished.

	Taking a cytological preparation from a foot

Many of the cases are so called "itchy dogs" but not always. Duncan uses a variety of techniques to diagnose the cause of the skin disease, including intradermal skin testing, similar to the "prick" or "scratch" test in humans, and cytology, where samples taken from the surface of the skin are examined under the microscope. Based on the results of the intradermal test, allergy shots similar to those used in people can be started to try to dampen down the allergic over reaction to certain antigens like dust mites or pollens.

An intradermal test with several strong positive reactions

Some small animal skin diseases involve hair loss with itchiness. One example of this is colour dilution alopecia or blue dog disease. This condition is characterized by variable hair loss and poor coat quality. The initial clinical sign is the gradual onset of a dry, dull, brittle, poor-quality coat.
Colour-dilution hair loss is seen most frequently in the blue (or fawn) Doberman Pinscher, but has been seen in Great Danes, Whippets, Yorkshire Terriers, and of course Border Collies, one of which is pictured here.

Border Collie with Colour dilution alopoecia

Duncan's treatment for this disease is a hormone called melatonin, available in the USA and other countries as an over the counter preparation, but highly restricted in New Zealand.

In addition to Christchurch, Duncan travels regularly from his Nelson base to Wellington, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill.