Understanding Canine and Feline Dermatology NZ (August 2025)

This seminar aimed to provide veterinary professionals with an in-depth understanding of the most prevalent skin and ear diseases affecting dogs and cats. By integrating the latest research findings with practical insights, attendees were equipped to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy in their daily practice.

Dr. Debbie Simpson

MA (Hons) Cantab BVSc MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine) FANZCVS (Veterinary Dermatology)

Debbie graduated from Massey University in 2008. During her first year in practice she completed the Pfizer (Zoetis) Internship at the Veterinary Specialist Group in Auckland, New Zealand and also worked as a veterinarian at the Animal Emergency Centre. In 2009 she moved to Australia to undertake a rotating internship at Veterinary Specialist Services in Brisbane. A residency in Veterinary Dermatology followed at Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre from 2010-2013. In 2013 she undertook further training at Cornell University in New York State with two of the most respected and best known veterinary dermatologists in the world, Drs Danny Scott and Bill Miller. She started a private referral dermatology practice in Melbourne which ran from 2013 until 2015. In 2014 she passed the Fellowship exams of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and became a registered specialist in Veterinary Dermatology.

She has presented at several conferences including Science Week on the Gold Coast of Australia, the NZVA conference and the World Veterinary Association Congress. Publications include an original research paper on feline pemphigus and a case report on pyoderma gangrenosum for Veterinary Dermatology and a paper on hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the Australian Veterinary Practitioner, which won the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists medal. She was the Dermatology Stream Convenor for the Science Week conference for 8 years and has also acted as head examiner for the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists for the Dermatology Fellowship examinations.

In 2016 Debbie moved back to Auckland and opened a specialist dermatology referral clinic called The Skin Vet which is based from two clinics, The Strand Vet in Parnell and Animates Vetcare in Glen Innes. She works with two wonderful nurses, Ellie Clark and Lizzie Melville. The Skin Vet team can be contacted on 09 216 6222 or via e mail at theteam@theskinvet.co.nz