Pyoderma is an itchy and uncomfortable skin condition, but it generally looks more serious than it is. Dogs with underlying medical conditions that affect their skin, endocrine system, or immune system are most susceptible to this type of infection, which is caused by naturally occurring bacteria and causes red pustules and crusted lesions. Some mild cases resolve on their own within a few weeks; others may require topical or oral antibiotic therapy to heal.
Because pyoderma can occur as a result of an underlying condition that compromises a puppy’s immunity, a veterinary examination is recommended. Pyoderma is similar to impetigo, a human skin infection, and can be caused by similar bacteria.
What is Pyoderma?
Pyoderma is a generalized bacterial skin infection that produces pus-filled bumps that develop into crusting lesions in areas with sparse hair or in skin folds. It often indicates an underlying health condition.
Symptoms of Pyoderma in Dogs
The signs of pyoderma are most noticeable on the chin and stomach, where a dog’s hair is sparse. Search:
The characteristic pustules and papules rupture – through scratching or as a natural course of infection – and cause circular lesions that crust over. Because pyoderma lesions can itch, a dog may scratch the affected areas of skin, potentially causing further redness, bleeding, and skin damage.1
Pyoderma in dogs. VCA Animal Clinics.
If a dog’s pyoderma is severe, the discomfort can cause him to be depressed, lethargic, and disinterested.
What causes pyoderma in dogs?
The specific cause of pyoderma is not fully understood because only certain individuals develop this problem due to bacteria that occur naturally on the skin of all dogs. If a dog has a weakened immune system, an endocrine disorder, or skin damage that allows bacterial infiltration, he is more susceptible to pyoderma. Other factors that can increase a dog’s risk include:
How do veterinarians diagnose pyoderma in dogs?
Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and skin cytology tests to determine the presence of bacterial, fungal, or mite infestation. This helps detect pyoderma and confirm or rule out other causes of skin inflammation.
Once pyoderma has been diagnosed, further testing should be done to determine whether there is an underlying condition that contributed to the skin infection.
How to Treat Pyoderma
Pyoderma is generally easy to treat. In some cases, the condition may even go away on its own without treatment or with just a medicated shampoo. If a dog’s pyoderma doesn’t seem to be healing, treatment with topical or oral antibiotics may help. Keeping the skin clean and dry will also speed up healing.
Prognosis for dogs with pyoderma
Pyoderma is generally not life-threatening and usually remains localized, rarely spreading or leading to deeper skin infections. A dog may experience occasional flare-ups, but treating any underlying allergic, immune system, or endocrine issues can help minimize the frequency and severity of the problems.
Pyoderma is not a directly contagious disease, like impetigo occurs in humans. The bacteria involved typically do not pose a problem when exposed to humans or other animals with healthy skin and immune systems. Practicing good hygiene after touching a dog with pyoderma is still the safest way to control the spread of this bacteria.
How to prevent pyoderma
Since the specific cause of pyoderma is not fully understood, prevention is not 100% possible. A good protective measure is to keep your dog’s coat clean and healthy and to receive regular veterinary care to control any underlying medical conditions.
