Itchy skin, recurring ear infections, and stubborn allergies are more than a nuisance — they wear pets and families down. Dogwood’s advanced veterinary dermatology for dogs and cats in Metro Atlanta, led by Dr. Marley McInnis, residency trained in veterinary dermatology.
The service combines advanced tools — including digital video otoscopy and CO2 laser surgery — with the full workup of an experienced, residency-trained veterinary dermatologist.
Leadership
Residency-trained in veterinary dermatology. Advanced evaluation and treatment of complex and chronic skin, ear, hair, nail, and allergic diseases in dogs and cats.
Advanced Tools
From cytology and cultures to video otoscopy, biopsy, allergy evaluation, and advanced ear procedures, we look beyond the surface to identify what is driving the disease.
Full Scope
Chronic dermatologic conditions often benefit from long-term care tailored to your pet’s changing needs. We work with families and referring veterinarians to create practical treatment plans designed for comfort and quality of life.
Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency is pleased to welcome Dr. Marley McInnis, who is building and leading our Dermatology Service and providing advanced dermatologic care to pets throughout the Atlanta area.
A Louisiana native, Dr. McInnis earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine before returning to LSU for residency training in veterinary dermatology.
During her residency, Dr. McInnis was named House Officer of the Year and earned first place in the Phi Zeta House Officer Research Competition. Her published research includes the external validation of an artificial intelligence model for detecting canine ear canal disease. She has also published work involving the successful treatment of feline cutaneous lymphangiosarcoma and presented research at the North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum.
Dr. McInnis believes specialty care works best as a partnership with the referring veterinarian. She places a strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and continuity of care, with the goal of serving as an extension of the primary care team.
She understands the importance of maintaining the relationship between the referring veterinarian, client, and patient. Her goal is to provide advanced dermatologic expertise, communicate findings and recommendations clearly, and develop practical treatment strategies that support the patient’s ongoing care.
Dr. McInnis looks forward to building relationships with veterinary colleagues throughout the Atlanta community and becoming a trusted dermatology resource for their practices and patients.
Successful dermatology starts with determining what is driving the disease. Dr. McInnis combines a detailed history and dermatologic examination with targeted diagnostics and advanced procedures when needed. This approach helps avoid unnecessary treatments and allows therapy to be directed toward the underlying problem.
Video Otoscopy
For dogs and cats with recurring or difficult-to-treat ear disease, video otoscopy provides a magnified view deep within the ear canal and allows Dr. McInnis to evaluate structures that may be difficult to visualize with a standard handheld otoscope. When indicated, it can also facilitate deep cleaning, removal of debris or foreign material, targeted sampling, and other procedures under direct visualization.
CO2 Laser Surgery
Surgical laser technology allows precise treatment of selected skin lesions, masses, cysts, and other dermatologic conditions. Depending on the procedure, laser surgery may offer advantages such as precise tissue treatment and excellent control of bleeding.
Dogwood’s dermatology service provides the full range of care you would expect from a veterinary dermatology specialty practice — and works closely with your primary veterinarian to keep everyone on the same page.
Environmental allergies, food allergies, flea allergy, recurrent allergic flares, allergen-specific immunotherapy, and long-term management.
Recurring otitis, resistant infections, middle-ear disease, video otoscopy, deep ear cleaning, and investigation of underlying causes.
Bacterial and yeast infections, resistant organisms, fungal disease, and infections secondary to allergic or systemic disease.
Alopecia, endocrine-associated skin disease, sebaceous disorders, keratinization abnormalities, and other causes of coat or skin change.
Evaluation, skin biopsy, treatment, and long-term monitoring of pemphigus, lupus, and other immune-mediated diseases.
Biopsy, histopathology, laser procedures, and treatment of selected cysts, masses, and focal lesions.
Skin and ear disease can look almost identical from the outside — and be caused by very different things underneath. Below is a general overview of the conditions our dermatology service commonly diagnoses and manages.
This list is not exhaustive. If your pet has been scratching, chewing, losing hair, dealing with recurring ear infections, or on a cycle of antibiotics and steroids that never quite fixes the problem, dermatology may be the next step. We’re happy to help you decide.
Skin is often a window into what is happening elsewhere in the body. Chronic ear disease may involve neurology when the middle ear is affected. Autoimmune skin conditions may need internal medicine and long-term monitoring. Suspicious masses may need oncology input.
Because Dogwood is a full specialty and emergency hospital, Dr. McInnis can consult in real time with our internal medicine, surgery, oncology, neurology, and critical care teams — without asking families to chase appointments across multiple practices.
Whether you are a pet owner tired of the itching-scratching cycle or a referring veterinarian with a complex derm case, our team is here to help. Reach out and we will get you scheduled with Dr. McInnis.