Pyoderma in Dogs (Bacterial Skin Infection, Pus in the Skin)

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Pyoderma in Dogs (Bacterial Skin Infection, Pus in the Skin)

By: Dr. Mark Thompson

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Section: Treatment - In Depth

Treatment for pyoderma involves treatment of the underlying cause and elimination of the resulting infection.

Surface pyodermas such as hot spots are best treated by clipping of the wound and cleaning with an agent that kills the surface bacteria. Antibiotics often are not needed since the bacteria is on the skin surface and not within or beneath the skin. The source of the itching that led to the hot spot must be identified and treated (e. g. fleas). Skin fold pyoderma is treated by clipping hair from the fold and cleaning with an agent to kill the bacteria. Recurrence of the problem may require surgical removal of the fold.

Superficial pyoderma is treated with antibiotics that are effective against Staph. intermedius. This type of bacteria does not respond to some of the more common antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, or tetracycline.

Thus, more potent antibiotics must be used. Three weeks of treatment is usually required for effective therapy.

Superficial pyoderma often responds to a appropriate antibiotic when it is used long enough. However, unless the underlying cause is also addressed, the infection often recurs soon after treatment is stopped. Diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause is essential to long-term success.

In cases where the underlying cause can not be determined, antibacterial shampoos may be helpful in preventing recurrence. Examples of antibacterial shampoos are those that contain benzoyl peroxide, ethyl lactate, or chlorhexidine.

Creams and lotions that contain the above chemicals may be useful for treatment of small lesions. Most cases of pyoderma affect a large area of the body, making this approach impractical.

Injections of immune stimulants or immune modulators such as staphage lysate may be helpful. These are usually reserved for cases that do not respond to more traditional treatment.

Deep pyoderma must be aggressively treated with antibiotics selected from culture and bacterial sensitivity. The bacteria that are isolated from the lesions are incubated with several antibiotics in culture media to see which ones can kill those particular bacteria. Antibiotics must be given until a few weeks after all lesions are resolved. Often, 6-12 weeks of treatment is necessary.

The immune problem that is underlying the deep pyoderma must be determined and treated to achieve success.

Whirlpool baths may be helpful, as an aid in treating deep pyoderma is your vet has this available.

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