Bacterial Pyoderma

Identification

• Bacterial pyoderma is a condition limited to skin and hair follicles. Pyoderma infections are classified by veterinarians according to the depth of the infection, the cause of the infection and whether it is a primary or secondary infection. Primary bacterial pyoderma occurs without cause in otherwise healthy animals. Secondary bacterial pyoderma is secondary to other diseases or conditions in animals such as allergies, internal disease (such as hypothyroidism) and anatomic predispositions (such as skin folds).

Symptoms

• The symptoms most commonly associated with bacterial pyoderma may include raised lesions, itching, crusting of the skin and pustules. Other signs of this condition are a dried discharge from pustules or lesions and loss of hair in the affected area. One symptom that is a characteristic of bacterial pyoderma in dogs is excessive scaling of the skin and small hairs that pierce through the scales. The areas of the body most affected by this condition are the trunk, head and legs.

Causes

• Some causes of bacterial pyoderma in dogs include: breeds with skin folds (such as the Sharpei), dogs infected with staphlococcus intermedius and German shepherds with short coats (from genetic predisposition). There are certain triggers that may cause bacterial pyoderma such as flea allergies, food allergies, poor grooming, hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism. Dogs may have recurring bouts of bacterial pyoderma because of a veterinarian's failure to identify triggers, the use of an incorrect dose of antibiotics or wrong antibiotic or the use of glucocorticoid medications.

Diagnosis

• A veterinarian might make the diagnosis of bacterial pyoderma based on the clinical symptoms of the dog. If the veterinarian feels a deep bacterial pyoderma is present, it might be necessary to perform a skin scraping or a skin biopsy. The skin sample is examined under a microscope to determine whether the infection is caused by a more serious underlying medical condition that has not yet been diagnosed.

Treatment

• The treatment of bacterial pyoderma is done on an outpatient basis. According to petmd.com, antibiotic therapy is generally prescribed for a period of at least one month. This is done to ensure the infection is completely gone from the dog's system to prevent the infection from returning. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed as well as topical antibiotic ointments or creams.

Warning

• Bacterial pyoderma could spread into the bloodstream. If your dog seems to worsen despite the use of the prescribed medication, consult your veterinarian immediately.