Pyoderma is a general term for any bacterial skin infection. The infection can affect the skin's surface layers, the deeper layers, or the hair follicles. Bacteria normally live on the skin's surface, but natural defenses protect dogs against infection. Infections occur when those defenses break down, either from another skin disease or systemic illness.
Risk factors and detection
The bacteria on the skin can invade and proliferate anytime the skin is damaged. Allergies, external parasites, or fungal infections can cause your dog to scratch, chew, lick, or rub and traumatize her skin.
Bacteria also love moisture. Dogs with a skin condition called seborrhea produce extra skin oils, creating a moist environment that can lead to skin infection. Dogs with loose, folded skin, such as shar-peis and English bulldogs, are prone to a condition called skin-fold pyoderma. The infection typically affects the lips, face, neck, vulva, and tail. Overweight dogs also are at risk for skin-fold pyoderma.
Diseases or medications that suppress the immune system can lead to pyoderma. These include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and administration of high doses of steroids.
Signs of pyoderma include:
- red, irritated skin hair loss
- small pimple-like or red bumps
- scabs or crusty areas
- a strong skin odor
- licking or scratching the affected area
- a hot spot (a moist, hairless, painful area that develops in a matter of hours if a dog chews at the skin).
A few small bumps that go away in a few days don't need medical attention. However, if your dog has multiple scabs, open sores, hair loss, or if she acts uncomfortable, take her to your veterinarian. The doctor may use a skin scraping, fungal culture, skin biopsy, or blood tests to determine the underlying cause.
Prevention and treatment
Keeping your dog clean and well-groomed prevents some skin infections, particularly for dogs with skin folds. Check your dog regularly for fleas and ticks, and use a flea and tick preventative.
Your veterinarian will treat a skin infection with oral antibiotics, such as cephalexin, oxacillin, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate. Deeper infections can take longer to heal, so make sure your dog completes the full course of antibiotic therapy—don't stop early just because the skin surface looks better. Your veterinarian also may recommend regular baths with a medicated shampoo.
Your dog's doctor will determine what caused the skin infection and treat the underlying problem to help prevent pyoderma recurrence.
