A dog's body is designed to heal from minor wounds or exposure to pathogens but occasionally, a disease, an injury or an irritant may compromise your dog's natural ability to mend. An infection occurs when your dog's immune system cannot overcome rapid reproduction of invading germs or bacteria. An infection may be small and localized to one area of your dog's body or it may compromise his entire system. Observation of your dog's symptoms is the first indicator that an infection may be present.
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Skin Infection
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Topical irritants, parasites or an allergic reaction to something in her diet may cause your dog to contract a skin infection. She may develop "hot spots" from insect bites or allergies, resulting in hairless sores, worsened by licking and chewing. Pustules and crusty patches indicate an infection on or under the skin's surface.
Young puppies are more likely to develop puppy strangles, a facial infection with the swelling of eyelids, lips and ears, and accompanying drainage. In addition, your dog may develop a secondary skin infection after the onset of another medical disorder. The appearance of redness and swelling in combination with pus or a fever signals the prompt need to visit your veterinarian.
Eye Infections
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Localized infections may target your dog's eyes but often they are treatable with medicine from your veterinarian. The most common eye infection in dogs is pink eye (conjunctivitis) and your dog may exhibit redness of the eye and drainage. Severe allergies may result in chronic eye infections or an eyelid that irritates the eye (entropion) may cause an infection if not corrected. A veterinarian should evaluate any eye infection lasting more than 2 days or one accompanied by swelling or thick yellow discharge.
Ear Infections
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According to veterinarian, Betsy Brevitz, author of the "Hound Health Handbook," ear infections are more common in dogs with long floppy ears where bacteria or yeast can grow in a moist dark environment. If your dog has an ear infection, there will likely be a strong odor and in the case of a yeast infection, the distinct smell of yeast. Once your dog has an ear infection, she is more likely to develop chronic infections so proper cleaning and care of her ears is imperative. Ear infections that go untreated can result in hearing loss.
Viruses
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A viral infection can strike at any time if your dog is exposed to the virus and is not vaccinated against it. Common dog viruses include parvovirus, kennel cough (bordetella), intestinal infection (coronavirus) and distemper, all of which can be serious or fatal if a dog's immune system is compromised. Although different viruses have different symptoms, take your dog for a checkup if he develops a fever in combination with unexplained lethargy or fatigue and vomiting or diarrhea that lasts longer than a few hours. Your veterinarian may prescribe medication or start intravenous liquids to prevent dehydration.
Bacteria
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Bacteria are present in most infections that result in swelling and the formation of pus. Bacterial infections often respond to antibiotic treatment and the sooner your dog begins a medication regime, the sooner she will feel better. A fever is often present if the bacterial infection becomes systematic (throughout the dog's body).
Diagnosis and Treatment
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Only your veterinarian can determine if an infection requires medication or further treatment. Chronic eye, skin and ear infections may be treated at home after an initial diagnosis but all new symptoms should be reported to your dog's doctor.
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