Bacteria
Pyoderma is a term that means bacterial skin infection. While the concept is simple, the underlying cause is usually complex. Pyoderma is always caused by another condition that has compromised the integrity of the skin or the immune system. If the underlying cause is not addressed, the patient will continue to have persistent or recurrent infections.
The most common conditions that causes secondary skin infections are listed:
- Allergies: food, seasonal, flea, contact
- Immune compromise: young or old animals, steroid administration
- Parasites: Demodex, Sarcoptes, fleas
- Endocrine disease: hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease
- Conformation: skin folds on nose, vulva, base of tail
Skin infections are very itchy. It is sometimes hard to determine if the pruritus is due to the underlying issue or the skin infection itself. The skin will become reddened and there may be hair loss. Early infections will have
pustules which look like pimples. When the pimples “pop”, they will become flat, round, and crusty.
Antibiotics are the gold standard of treatment. However, diagnosis and treatment of the primary problem is key. The patient will continue to get infections if the concurrent condition is not addressed. Benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidene shampoos once or twice a week can help prevent recurrences. In cases of skin fold dermatitis, surgery can be performed to decrease the amount of infections a patient has. Antihistamines are routinely used to decrease the degree of itchiness-if a patient does not stop itching, the infection will never be eradicated.
