Jordan Clinical and Comparative Dermatology Laboratory
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to the Skin diseases are incredibly common in dogs, cats, and horses and can predispose animals to chronic and recurrent itch, hair loss, rash, and skin infections. Unfortunately, many of the skin diseases that occur in animals require long-term to lifelong treatment which can be both costly and time-consuming for pet owners. Unsurprisingly, skin disease has been shown to negatively impact the qualities of life of both affected animals as well as their owners.
For over 45 years, the Veterinary Dermatology service at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has provided high quality and compassionate medical care to animals living with skin and ear disease. In 2024, Dr. Tyler Jordan established UC Davis’ first Veterinary Dermatology-focused research laboratory currently situated in the Center for Companion Animal Health.
The UC Davis Clinical and Comparative Dermatology Laboratory aims to better understand “how” and “why” skin and ear diseases occur in animals by performing clinical trials, bench top research, and collaborating with physicians and scientists across UC Davis and other institutions. Our laboratory has a particular research interest in itch, allergic and autoimmune skin diseases, as well as skin cancers in dogs, cats, and horses.
The ultimate goal of the UC Davis Clinical and Comparative Dermatology Laboratory is to make discoveries that improve the diagnosis and management of skin and ear diseases in animals and lead to improved patient care and treatment outcomes.
Dermatology Team
Tyler J.M. Jordan, DVM, PhD, DACVD
Assistant Professor Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology
Diana Polhac, BS
Laboratory Manager and Technician
Clinical Studies/Trials
The UC Davis Veterinary Dermatology service and the Clinical and Comparative Dermatology Laboratory work with the school’s Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials manage research studies focused on skin and ear diseases of dogs, cats, and horses. Current and recently completed studies include:
Canine Cutaneous Epitheliotropic T-Cell Lymphoma
Canine Cutaneous Epitheliotropic T-cell Lymphoma (CETCL) is a rare but aggressive skin cancer in dogs, and sadly, most affected dogs live less than a year after diagnosis, even with chemotherapy. One major reason for this poor prognosis is that we don’t fully understand how the disease develops or progresses, which has made it difficult to create new, effective treatments. This study aims to change that. By analyzing the microRNA (miRNA) in the skin of dogs with CETCL, we hope to uncover key markers that could help diagnose the disease earlier, predict how it will progress, and track treatment effectiveness. Research in humans with similar cancers has shown that identifying these miRNAs could also lead to the development of new treatment options. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the way we diagnose and care for dogs with CETCL, giving them a better chance for a longer, healthier life.
Clinical Services
Visit Dermatology Services to learn more and make an appointment.