Dr Johann Boone
BSc(Hons), BVMS, MANZCVS (Veterinary Parasitology), MVetMed, DipECVD
European Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist (Registered Specialist)
Dr Johann Boone is Queensland's only European board-certified veterinary dermatologist. She completed her Master of Veterinary Medicine (MVetMed) and specialist residency at London's Royal Veterinary College, ranked first in the world for Veterinary Science in the QS World University Rankings for six consecutive years. With more than 20 years in veterinary practice across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, she now regularly consults across Brisbane and in Townsville as a visiting service.
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Registered veterinary specialist
Brisbane and North Queensland
Specialist referrals across QLD
Training future specialists
Through ADS's residency program
Dr Johann Boone graduated from Murdoch University in 2004 and spent the first 13 years of her veterinary career in clinical practice across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. She also earned membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) by examination in veterinary parasitology.
In 2017, Johann began her specialist dermatology training at London’s Royal Veterinary College, where she completed her residency and Master of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology (DipECVD).
She returned to Queensland in 2021 and has since provided specialist dermatology services across southeast Queensland and beyond, including consulting in regional areas. Her clinical interests include immune-mediated skin diseases and the management of complex ear conditions. Her focus is on improving comfort and quality of life, with practical treatment plans that support ongoing care between consultations.
Johann was first author of Malassezia otitis unresponsive to primary care: outcome in 59 dogs, a peer-reviewed study published in Veterinary Dermatology in 2021. The research examined treatment outcomes and middle ear involvement in dogs whose ear disease had not responded to primary care.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to published research, presented at national and international veterinary conferences, and supported the professional development of veterinary students and colleagues through mentorship, residency training program support and continued education initiatives.
More about Johann:
Qualifications and specialist training
Johann’s qualifications and specialist training include:
- BSc(Hons) — Bachelor of Science with Honours.
- BVMS — Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Murdoch University, 2004.
- MANZCVS (Veterinary Parasitology) — Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, earned by examination in veterinary parasitology.
- MVetMed — Master of Veterinary Medicine, Royal Veterinary College.
- Specialist dermatology residency — Royal Veterinary College, completed in 2020.
- DipECVD — Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology.
- Registered Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology.
Her veterinary parasitology qualification supports her understanding of parasites and their role in skin disease, while her master’s degree and specialist residency form part of her advanced training in veterinary dermatology.
What inspired you to become a specialist in veterinary dermatology?
My mother was a dedicated wildlife carer and much of my sense of responsibility for the health and wellbeing of animals comes from her. I spent my childhood in a rural area without access to a veterinary specialist. I remember the feeling of frustration and helplessness in having a family dog struggle long-term with a painful and resistant ear infection that did not respond to routine treatment. I decided early on that I would need to gain enough knowledge and skills in life so that I never felt helpless again in the face of an animal suffering.
Do you have a memorable patient success story that highlights the impact of your work?
I have so many! One which comes to mind is an elderly dog who had been living in an Elizabethan collar for over two years to prevent him chewing and causing extensive damage to his paws. Although this dog did have an underlying allergy, it was actually an infection in his paws that was causing him the most distress. Once we had identified and resolved the infection, the little man got to live out the rest of his life without having to wear an Elizabethan collar. At the end of the day, any success story is one that leads to a better quality of life for our pets.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy?
I enjoy reading, gardening and travelling in my spare time.
Fun fact
I am a wizard at home renovating. I can paint, plaster and grout with the best of ‘em!
Where You Can See Dr Johann Boone
When you are ready, you can book an appointment online or by contacting our team. Johann’s Townsville consultations are held on scheduled visiting dates. View upcoming Townsville dates to plan your appointment.
Our online system is flexible and allows you to select Dr Johann Boone as your preferred clinician.
How Dr Johann Supports Brisbane and North Queensland Patients
Dr Johann provides specialist dermatology care for dogs and cats from her Brisbane base, while also supporting patients through ADS’s Townsville visiting service. With longstanding family ties to Townsville and many years providing dermatology care to communities across North Queensland, she understands that skin, ear and allergy cases and treatment plans can be shaped by where a patient lives. Distance from specialist services, local climate, seasonal allergy patterns and the need to plan ahead for follow-up care can all influence how diagnosis, treatment and longer-term management are planned.
Dr Johann uses targeted diagnostic testing where needed to clarify the diagnosis and guide treatment. Depending on the case, this may include cytology and fine needle aspirates, skin biopsy and dermatopathology, or allergy-focused pathways such as airborne environmental allergy testing and 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 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.
Dr Johann has a strong interest in complex dermatology cases where signs are unusual, persistent or difficult to control. Management may involve treating infection, addressing underlying allergic skin disease in dogs and cats, or developing a longer-term plan such as allergen-specific immunotherapy. The aim is always to provide a practical plan that supports care between visits.
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