A dog with pyoderma may have raised bumps, redness, hair loss, and other symptoms. If the condition is severe, it will usually be apparent. Thankfully, antibiotics and home remedies can be used to treat this infection. Here are some things you should know about pyoderma in dogs.
Before you read this guide, “Pyoderma in Dogs: Home Treatment Options,” check out: The 9 Best Medicated Dog Shampoos in 2023! and Why Does My Dog Leave Brown Spots on the Bed? (2023).
What Are the Signs of Pyoderma in Dogs?
There are many different ways in which pyoderma can appear. You may see it in one spot on your dog or it may cover their entire body. It tends to occur more often on certain areas like skin folds, the chin, lips, vulva folds, and the skin around toes.
The itchiness of pyoderma varies from dog to dog. Occasionally, it can be extremely itchy, such as when a dog has flea allergy dermatitis; sometimes, it is not at all itchy.
Pyoderma can be identified by the following signs:
- Bumpy red skin
- Papules
- Skin that flakes
- Alopecia
- Discoloration of the skin
- Shedding excessively
- Inflammation
It is possible for puppies to contract pyoderma, which is known as puppy pyoderma. You may find red bumps on your dog’s armpits, groin, or abdomen if he has puppy pyoderma. Scabs and scales may form on these red bumps. A puppy with puppy pyoderma may be itchy, but it is generally healthy otherwise.
What Can I Put On My Dog’s Pyoderma?
Antimicrobial therapy is the best way to treat pyoderma, which is a bacterial infection. Veterinarians will prescribe antibiotics that will destroy the bacteria that cause the disease. A home remedy can be used to treat the infection, depending on how severe it is.
A mild case can be treated without consulting a vet if you catch it early. Take your dog to the vet for a complete diagnosis and proper treatment if you try treating the condition at home and it becomes worse.
There are a few things you can try at home first if you decide to treat your pyoderma at home.
Antibacterial Shampoo
A shampoo with antibacterial properties can help clean and eliminate bacteria on the skin. Your dog will have a lower chance of catching an infection if he scratches the skin. Several pet stores carry antibacterial shampoo, or you can ask your veterinarian for advice.
It’s important to remember your dog needs some good bacteria on its skin to help prevent infections, so be sure to limit how often you use this shampoo and to consult with your veterinarian before using it.
Antihistamines
If your dog is scratching due to an allergic reaction, an antihistamine could help reduce the severity of the reaction and prevent it from causing irritation. Bacteria will be less likely to spread across the skin surface this way.
Coconut Oil
In addition to prescription antibiotics, coconut oil is a natural antibiotic that can help treat infections. As coconut oil is also very soothing, it will assist in soothing your dog’s skin and any irritation that may be causing him to itch and therefore cause him to break open his skin and become infected.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
There are a number of dermatology products that contain omega-3 fatty acids since they soothe and help make the skin healthier. Furthermore, they can create a protective barrier so your dog’s skin won’t break as easily when he scratches it, making it generally healthier.
Will Pyoderma in Dogs Go Away on Its Own?
Bacteria cause pyoderma, and if not treated, will not disappear on its own. The longer it goes untreated, the worse it will get and the more likely it will spread. Treating pyoderma itself is not enough; the cause must also be addressed.
It is possible to get polyderma from parasites or allergies. There is a possibility that fleas and ticks can carry bacteria that can cause infection. Itchy skin and irritation can also occur if they are used on your dog. It is possible for bacteria to enter the skin when the dog scratches, so an infection can develop.
The infection will return if you only treat the pyoderma and not the underlying cause. As such, it’s important to treat parasites so your dog doesn’t scratch open his skin, which could cause infection.
Identifying the allergen your dog is allergic to can help you remove it from his sourroundings. In addition to reducing scratching, this will also help prevent any form of skin infection, including pyoderma.
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog With Pyoderma?
Grooming is crucial. Dogs with deep pyoderma should have their hair clipped, and medium to long-haired dogs with superficial pyoderma should have their hair professionally groomed. In addition to removing excess hair, this will assist with grooming by preventing debris and bacteria from collecting.
The veterinarian should recommend shampoo for dogs with superficial pyoderma. The first two weeks of treatment should involve bathing two to three times per week. After that, it should be one to two times per week until the infection has cleared.
Dogs suffering from deep pyoderma may need to take daily baths with medicinal shampoo that is diluted to one-half or one-quarter strength. Itching, odor, and oiliness can be reduced by shampooing since it removes bacteria, crusts, and scales.
Recovery may not occur as rapidly as expected for 14 to 21 days after treatment. Your veterinarian can provide you with advice about what kind of bathing program will be most effective for your pet. For a medicated shampoo to be effective, it needs to remain on the coat for 10 minutes.
Can You Treat Pyoderma in Dogs at Home With Coconut Oil?
As coconut oil has natural antibacterial properties, it is often used to treat skin infections, even in humans, and when combined with Vaseline, it shows immediate results.
Just use Vaseline to cover up the affected areas after applying coconut oil. You will be able to prevent your pet from constantly itching by sealing away the moisture in his or her skin.
If you use this treatment, it’s important to wash bedding for five months without any perfumed or sensitive detergent to stop the itch from coming back, leading to bleeding.
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Bacterial Skin Infections?
When it comes to bacterial skin infections, dogs seem to struggle the most compared to other pets. Compared to other animals, including humans, dogs do not have a fatty plug on their skin.
It is commonly found that Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is isolated from dogs. As a result of this bacterium, our dogs’ hair can fall out and they can experience itching. Staphylococcus aureus in dogs, however, is less harmful and virulent than the human isolate.
MRSA is a type of bacteria resistant to methicillin. Therefore, physicians have been treating patients with bacteria for years. As a result of MRSA’s resistance, many antibiotics are no longer effective against it.
Veterinarians are now observing the resistance mechanisms of the dog isolate Staphylococcus pseudintermedius similar to those seen in MRSA in humans. Many antibiotics are less effective as a result of this change. Bacteria become more difficult to resolve, not more dangerous or virulent.
The dog Staphylococcus pseudintermedius does not pose a significant risk to human health or other dogs. The infection can, however, be acquired from dogs in very rare cases if the person has a poor immune system due to chemotherapy or immunosuppressive medications.
The skin infection resolves as soon as your hands are washed after handling an infected pet. The human Staphylococcus aureus can colonize or infect dogs and cats in small numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are different levels of pyoderma, and deep pyoderma is serious. As the condition worsens, it can infect the bloodstream.
Unfortunately, pyoderma will not naturally go away on its own. Pyoderma-causing bacteria will continue to thrive without antibiotics or another treatment.
A dog’s pyoderma can get worse if the affected area is physically traumatized.
Conclusion for “Pyoderma in Dogs: Home Treatment Options”
When you are aware of the signs and symptoms of pyoderma in dogs, you increase the chance of early detection. Your vet can determine what treatment is appropriate for the condition due to its wide range of potential causes.
Pyoderma is a type of skin disease that can be diagnosed by a veterinarian. A dog’s pyoderma can be classified into three different types based on the depth and also extent of the infection within the follicle.
It occurs when the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, is infected by bacteria. The most common types of pyoderma are impetigo (usually called puppy pyoderma) and superficial bacterial folliculitis.
Surface pyoderma is caused by bacteria growing on the skin’s surface. German Shepherds are often afflicted with folded pyoderma, mucocutaneous pyoderma, and hot spots associated with this type.
A dog’s deep pyoderma is caused by an infection of the hair follicles far beneath the skin. A list of examples includes muzzle folliculitis, furunculosis, and pressure-point pyoderma (a type of acne in dogs). There are also primary and secondary forms of pyoderma in dogs.
Primary pyoderma occurs when the skin is damaged in a temporary or non-recurrent manner. Proper treatment usually prevents recurrence.
In secondary pyoderma, the skin’s resistance to infection is decreased as a result of persistent or recurrent problems. Treatment typically only temporarily alleviates the infection, and it will recur until the underlying problem is identified and resolved.
If you find this guide, “Pyoderma in Dogs: Home Treatment Options,” helpful, check out:
- The 5 Best Dog Foods for Cushing’s Disease! (2023)
- Are Pugs in Constant Pain? (Common Problems and How to Tell) (2023)
Learn more by watching “How to Treat Dog Pyoderma (Skin Infections) with Natural Remedies” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.