Editor’s Note: In their fourth and final year of veterinary school, students are required to complete a series of two-week clinical rotations in the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. This article is one in a series that highlights those rotations.
Ariel Ackerman’s career goal is to become a small animal emergency practitioner.
The two-week dermatology clinical rotation she just completed is another piece in her career path puzzle.
“Through this rotation I’ve been exposed to common dermatological issues seen in small animals,” she said. “I now have experience in managing and treating them appropriately.”
Iowa State students who complete the dermatology clinical rotation are exposure to a variety of skin, hair and ear conditions primarily in dogs and cats. This can include itchy skin disorders, ear infections, skin allergies, skin infections, hair loss, and skin parasites.
Ackerman observed many of these conditions and others including extracting an aural polyp from a cat’s ear, which she described as “super exciting.”
On a daily basis, students worked through individual cases with the clinicians and residents. This included physical and dermatological exams before performing dermatological data bases on different skin lesions.
“This gave us a better diagnostic understanding of what we were seeing with each patient,” said fourth-year student Rebecca Kanoza. “We then discussed a variety of different treatment options for these conditions and how to manage them.”
In their patient treatment, dermatologists rely on cytology (cell biology) to gain a better understanding of a patient’s condition.
“We were able to see bacteria or fungus or other cell types that guided us in our medical therapy,” Ackerman said.
Kanoza agreed with her classmate.
“This rotation allowed me to gain better microscope skills in diagnosing skin lesions that are commonly seen in private practice,” Kanoza said. “This will help to allow better targeted therapy for a variety of reasons.”
The experience also made Kanoza to be sure to ask clients about their pet’s preventative status.
“Whether they are on a flea and tick preventive or not along with what their housing environment is like are important details to consider in your diagnostic process,” Kanoza said. “The answer to the skin lesions can be as simple as mites or fleas.”
But it’s not just learning about dermatology and watching clinicians and residents practice this specialty that will stick with Ackerman as she moves closer to graduation.
“Dr. (Jim) Noxon (Morrill Professor of veterinary clinical sciences) did a really good job of emphasizing the difference between a good vet and a great vet,” Ackerman said. “It is so important to pay attention to detail and ensure that things are done the right way in order to provide the best patient care.”
December 2025