Treatment for Dog Skin Infections

Skin infections can be quite common in dogs, especially those with long fur or wrinkles in their skin. As the animal begins to scratch, areas of the skin may become open and infected, often causing blisters or pustules. Certain bacteria and yeast is also more common in some species, caused by the normal flora on the skin. Allergies to pests, such as fleas and ticks, can also be a cause of skin infections. Whatever the source, there are a variety of treatments that may be used to treat these types of conditions.

  1. Natural Remedies

    • Natural remedies and holistic treatments are one way to treat fungal skin infections in dogs. These types of treatment usually help to fight infection and can also improve the overall health of your dog. Herbs used in natural remedies may include Milk Thistle, which helps to improve the immune system and aids in liver function, and witch hazel, which promotes normal levels of dermal fungal. Other ingredients used may include Dandelion, Marigold and Tea Tree Oil.

    Oral Antibiotics and Cream

    • Hot spots on your dog's skin, also known as acute moist pyoderma, can cause extreme itching. As the dog scratches the area, the skin will become open and infected. Applying a thin layer of antibiotic cream, not ointment, to the area will help ease some of the itching, while also promoting healing to the area. Your veterinarian can prescribe the oral antibiotics for your pet, based on its size and age. These types of medication can usually be hidden in the animal's food.

    Cutting the Fur

    • If your dog has a hot spot that has not yet become inflamed or infected, sometimes just a simple haircut will alleviate the symptoms and keep your animal from scratching. Once you find the area, cut away the matted fur or shave the dogs fur until the edges of the area are exposed. Then wash the area with an anti-bacterial soap, such as Dial, up to three times a day. Be sure to pat dry each time. You can also try using a disinfectant solution on the area as well.

    Bathing

    • There are a variety of products on the market for different types of canine skin infections. Your veterinarian can determine the type of infection your animal has and will prescribe the proper type of shampoo to use. For example, if your dog has a bacterial skin infections, an antibacterial shampoo that contains peroxide will be prescribed. On the other hand, if your pet has a yeast infection, an anti-fungal shampoo and a leave-in conditioner is the proper treatment.

    Tick and Flea Dip

    • Since constant scratching at ticks and fleas will break an animal's skin and cause infection, it is important to stop the cause at the source. There are several products available to rid your pet of infestations of these types of pests, such as monthly spot treatments or dips. A dip is a concentrated formula that pet owners can mix with water and use to completely saturate their pet's fur. As the ticks and fleas die, they will fall off of the animal, usually within a matter of a day or two.