Pioneers in special care for cats and dogs

The quality of dogs' and cats' skin and coat is essential for their health and their bond to humans. That’s probably why, since the 80’s, veterinary dermatology has grown to be the primary reason for consultations in pets. At Virbac, we have been part of this history from the outset, working alongside the founding fathers of modern veterinary dermatology, paving the way for innovation, for the well-being of our companion animals.

Modern veterinary dermatology emerged in the early 20th century, with the most significant advances occurring between 1970 and 1985. Until the 1980s, only human dermatology products were available to vets. It wasn't until 1981 that the first range of specialist topical products for the skin and ears of dogs appeared, developed by Allerderm Inc, a company founded by Roger Brandt in Dallas, Texas (USA). True to his reputation as a visionary, our founder, Pierre Richard Dick, recognised the importance of developing dermatological solutions specifically for pets. In 1987, we acquired Allerderm Inc. and moved our U.S. office to Texas... never to leave!

CONSTANT INNOVATION  & SCIENTIFIC KNOW-HOW

Since 1987, we have worked closely with the academic world, from research to product launch conferences and educational programmes. As a result of this essential partnership, we have always placed our veterinary dermatology products in a high orbit in terms of scientific justification and credibility. We systematically invested in R&D quality, safety and efficacy studies, way beyond the regulatory requirements, even for the non-pharmaceuticals.Today, as in the past, our aim is to provide innovative, state-of-the-art products, supported by dermatologists and scientific publications, with formulations that are effective and safe, but also easy for vets to prescribe and pet owners to use.

DAILYDERMA: OUR MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO A COMPLEX DISCIPLINE

Veterinary dermatology is a challenging, multifaceted field, at the crossroads of multiple disciplines that include parasitology, bacteriology, mycology, virology, immunology, allergology, endocrinology and oncology. Our teams were the first to understand that this complexity required a specific approach and set of tools. Recognising the uniqueness of each animal and its bond with its owner, we realized that a one-size-fits-all approach was not enough: skin diseases must not only be diagnosed accurately, but also treated specifically, taking into account the understanding, emotions and resources of each pet owner.
Our multimodal approach is expressed through a wide range of dermatological products and services designed not only for dermatologists, but also for the day-to-day practice of dermatology. Our “DailyDerma” program provides them with tools that form an effective methodology to assist in the diagnosis, prescription and management of the pet and its owner.

SUPPORTING DERMATOLOGY ADVANCES, FROM THE OUTSET

We believe that the education and advancement of knowledge in veterinary dermatology, through the work of dermatologists around the world, benefits everyone. Since the 80s, we have contributed by working with leading dermatologists to advance and share knowledge. It's no coincidence that the 1^st WCVD (World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology) was held in France; our teams were heavily involved in organizing it alongside the European fathers of dermatology at this time, going far beyond the traditional role of a laboratory. For almost 40 years now, we have been principal sponsor of every WCVD, from Dijon in 1989 to Boston in 2024.