Pyoderma in dogs: photos, symptoms, treatment

The existence of a pet can darken any infection, but the most negative impact on the animal's health is an infectious disease diagnosed as pyoderma in dogs.

Symptoms are triggered by various viral attacks, bacteria and parasites. The survey results indicate the staphylococcal nature of the development of pyoderma.

There are 2 forms of the disease: superficial and deep. Superficial pyoderma is accompanied by lesions of the upper epidermal layer and the appearance of shallow erosive formations.

Factors contributing to the development of the disease

Having studied the many reasons for the development of pyoderma, experts have found that most often the symptoms of the disease are triggered by a weakened immune system and injury to the skin.

Small wounds, splinters in the paws, injuries from sharp objects and burns contribute to the development of interdigital pyoderma. In this case, the activity of staphylococcus can be provoked by favorable development factors (high humidity, fungal infection, parasites, etc.). Most often bacteria accumulate in the groin, neck, chest and tail.

The cause of pyoderma can be a long hair in a pet with insufficient care. The wool rolls into a mat, where a large number of bacteria are formed. Therefore, you should promptly cut the dog and carry out preventive treatment.

Symptoms of the disease

The primary symptoms of pyoderma appear in the form of papules with purulent contents, which can subsequently turn into erosion and be accompanied by severe itching.

The superficial form spreads in the upper layer of the epidermis. In addition, superficial pyoderma can be accompanied by an acute development of weeping dermatitis, classified as moist eczema due to the fact that the development of similar symptoms is noted with hot and humid climates.

Deep forms of pyoderma involve the inner epidermal layers, accompanied by hyperemia around the site of inflammation and painful deep ulcers (pictured).

With the development of weeping erosive formations in the skin folds of a pet, especially in long-haired breeds, the symptoms are most manifested in the hot season. In addition, pyoderma in dogs can be caused by severe scratching of the affected area as a result of insect bites.

On areas of the dog's skin that are not covered with hair, impetigo may form with the formation of blisters that break open on their own. Most often, impetigo is observed in young puppies under one year old.

In the most severe cases, pyoderma can affect the skin in the immediate vicinity of the joints, which is dangerous for its complications. In this case, longer treatment is required.

Disease types

Almost every healthy dog ​​has a certain bacterial microflora on the skin and hair, which plays a protective role in the body. In the event of a disturbance in the functioning of the immune system, as well as in case of damage to the skin, pyoderma in dogs begins its active development.

The most common types of disease among dogs are:

ACUTE DISHYDROTIC DERMATITIS. Sometimes this form of the disease is called "wet eczema" (pictured). The symptoms of dyshidrotic dermatitis are characterized by the appearance of weeping wounds that smell unpleasant. In this case, the animal is constantly itching, causing additional damage to the skin. In this case, specific treatment is carried out.

SKIN FOLDING PYODERMIA. Most often, this form of the disease develops due to high humidity in the skin folds, which provokes bacterial growth (pictured). Typically, the lower lip is affected (especially in spaniels), the skin on the forehead and cheeks in short-faced dog breeds (Pekingese, Bulldog, etc.) and the skin of the genital organs in females.

IMPETIGO. This type of disease is known as "puppy pyoderma" and occurs in puppies 3-12 months old. It is characterized by an inflammatory process in the deep layers of the skin (pictured), the appearance of small pinkish watery blisters, which subsequently open up and form a yellow scab.

SURFACE ITALY FOLLICULITIS. The superficial form of folliculitis is accompanied by severe itching. The most susceptible to the disease are short-haired dogs (Boxer, Dalmatians, Dashhund, Doberman, etc.). A provoking factor in the development of folliculitis is skin hypersensitivity or seborrhea. In this case, there is a manifestation in the sick dog of bald patches and tumors on the hyperemic areas of the skin (pictured). Sometimes the symptoms of folliculitis are able to quickly self-neutralize, depending on the individual characteristics of the organism and the state of the animal's immune system.

PYODERMY OF CORSOLES. The disease is characterized by deep infectious lesions of the skin thickenings that cover the bony protrusions, for example, in the knee region in large animal breeds (pictured). Pyoderma of this form can occur as a result of external tissue damage, disorders in the thyroid gland and a weakening of the animal's immune defenses.

INTERFINGER PYODERMIA. This type of disease is characterized by deep damage to the epidermis, which are often observed in the interdigital region (pictured).

The interdigital form of pyoderma develops under the following conditions:

• the impact of a foreign body (thorns, splinters, grass, etc.) between the dog's fingers;
• the formation of tangles in the interdigital region;
• damage to the skin on the fingers as a result of chemical exposure (oil, acid, tar, etc.);
• hypersensitivity of the skin in the interdigital space;
• the development of a fungal infection, as well as as a result of infection by external species of parasites (haymaker, iron mite, etc.).

In especially severe cases, with mechanical action on the skin, bleeding from the tumor-like area and the addition of a secondary infection are possible.

Treatment of pyoderma in dogs

Before proceeding with the drug treatment of pyoderma, it is necessary to remove the hair on the affected area of ​​the skin, and then treat it with brilliant green, iodine, epacid.

It should be borne in mind that the treatment is carried out individually. With deep damage to the epidermis by an infectious process, pyoderma is quite difficult to treat.

It is important to consider the factors that led to the development of the disease. In addition, regular parasite control should be carried out.

In order to relieve the inflammatory process, antibiotic therapy is prescribed, for example, a drug intended for the treatment of animals - Baytril. It is taken according to the dosage prescribed by the doctor, based on the dog's body weight. Antibiotic treatment should be carried out even for the next 2 weeks after the disappearance of obvious symptoms, since premature withdrawal of these drugs often provokes relapses.

Topical treatment involves the use of Vedinol and Streptomycin ointment applied to the affected skin surface. The fastest possible effect can be achieved when using Maxidine injections. Its introduction is very painful, therefore, the addition of 0.3 ml of Novocaine or Lidocaine to Maxidine is prescribed.

Prophylaxis

To prevent the development of various forms of pyoderma, it is recommended to adhere to preventive measures, including:

1. Complete balanced nutrition and timely hygienic care of the dog.
2. Maximum prevention of pet injury.
3. Timely treatment of chronic diseases of the animal.
4. Strengthening the immune defenses.

It should be remembered that timely vaccination is of no small importance in preventing the disease. and deworming of the animal, which contributes to the body's resistance and general strengthening impact.