Dr Brian Shen
BVSc (Hons)
Veterinary Dermatology Registrar
Dr Brian Shen is a veterinary dermatology registrar with more than six years of dedicated dermatology experience. He has completed a three-year residency accredited by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and is now preparing for the specialist board examinations, the final step toward becoming a board-certified veterinary dermatologist.
Residency-trained in dermatology
Formal three-year training program
Brisbane dermatology referrals
For vets managing complex cases
Clear, compassionate care
Helping clients feel informed
Dr Brian Shen graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with Honours from the University of Queensland in 2019. During a final-year clinical placement in a specialist dermatology referral service, he saw how heavily chronic skin and ear disease can weigh on a pet's quality of life and the wellbeing of the owner and family, and how much specialist care could give back to both. He decided then that dermatology was the work he wanted to do.
After a period in general small animal practice, Brian completed an 18-month veterinary dermatology internship, then a formal three-year veterinary dermatology residency accredited by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD), before joining ADS as a registrar.
At ADS, Brian manages complex referral cases. He enjoys all aspects of dermatology, with particular interest in allergic skin disease, ear disease and the use of video otoscopy. Brian is passionate about client education and helping referring vets feel more confident managing dermatological cases in everyday practice.
Alongside his clinical work, Brian has mentored interns, presented at national workshops and supported continuing education for referring veterinarians. He was also first author of a peer-reviewed study published in Veterinary Dermatology in 2026, examining treatment outcomes in 23 dogs with cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma. The retrospective study compared responses to oclacitinib and lomustine.
More about Brian:
Where are you from?
I was born in Taiwan and moved to Hong Kong at an early age. I then spent some time studying in the UK before finally settling in Australia.
What inspired your interest in dermatology?
During my final year rotation in a dermatology referral practice I realised that chronic skin disease affects not only the patient’s quality of life but also the wellbeing of the owner and family. Seeing the relief we could bring to both patients and their families was unforgettable and inspired me to specialise in dermatology.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy playing golf when I can, as well as hiking, exploring beaches and spending time in nature.
Do you have any pets?
We have two rescue cats, Moyim and Sesame, and a rescue Maltese cross called Waffles. She is the newest addition to the family and we are still waiting for the moment when everyone snuggles together.
Where You Can See Dr Brian Shen
When you are ready, you can book an appointment online or by contacting our team.
Our online system is flexible and allows you to select Dr Brian Shen as your preferred clinician.
How Dr Brian Approaches Dermatology Cases
A consultation with Dr Brian begins with a review of the patient's history, examination of the skin, ears or presenting concern, and targeted diagnostic testing where needed. Testing may include cytology and fine needle aspirates, skin biopsy and dermatopathology, hormone related testing, or allergy focused pathways such as airborne environmental allergy testing or elimination diet trials.
For dogs, this often means working through a history of ongoing itching, recurrent ear infections, paw licking or chewing, or hair loss or coat changes. Many of these patients have had periods of improvement followed by relapse, and part of the process is stepping back to understand what is sustaining the cycle and how best to stabilise it over time.
For cats, presentations can be more subtle, with signs such as overgrooming, hair loss, crusts or skin lesions, or intermittent ear irritation. These cases can be particularly frustrating for owners as signs may come and go, and a careful, methodical approach is often needed to identify the underlying cause and guide treatment, often supported by targeted diagnostic testing.
Ear disease is a particular area of interest for Dr Brian. Recurrent or persistent ear infections are often not just an isolated ear problem. In many dogs and cats, ear disease may be connected with underlying allergy, infection, parasites, foreign material or changes within the ear canal. Where appropriate, advanced ear examination and procedures, including video otoscopy and ear flushing, can help provide a clearer view of the ear canal and support more targeted treatment.
From there, management is tailored to the individual patient. This may involve treating infection, addressing underlying allergic skin disease in dogs and cats, or developing a longer-term plan such as allergen-specific immunotherapy, with the aim of achieving more consistent control, fewer flare-ups and improved quality of life for both pets and their owners.
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