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Veterinary Dermatologists
Bacterial skin infections are common in dogs and often occur secondary due to other skin disorders. You need to treat the infection and manage the underlying disorder to avoid recurrence.
DOUXO® S3 - 20+ years of expertise
Key Points
1
Signs
Redness, discharge, scabbing, purulent discharge, small round patches of hair loss
Redness, discharge, scabbing, purulent discharge, small round patches of hair loss
2
Causes
There can be many causes of bacterial skin infections. Once something upsets the de...
There can be many causes of bacterial skin infections. Once something upsets the delicate balance of the skin’s natural bacteria, one species can overgrow, resulting in a skin infection. Natural allergens like pollens, mites, moulds, and human dander can contribute. Additional factors, including fleas, can intensify the inflammatory response and itching.
3
What to do
If you think your pet's skin might be infected, it is important to seek help from y...
If you think your pet's skin might be infected, it is important to seek help from your vet. They can diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
4
Treatment and prevention
Where possible, treatment of superficial infections should involve topical products...
Where possible, treatment of superficial infections should involve topical products (and not antibiotics). Topical products help to resolve the infection without contributing to antimicrobial resistance, relieve local pain, itching and inflammation, restore the integrity of the skin barrier and manage the underlying cause.
Bacterial skin infections in dogs are common and often a secondary problem that results from some other condition - for example, allergic skin disease. Whatever the underlying condition, these infections need treatment as they are uncomfortable, painful, and can often become larger and deeper if left untreated.
What are the signs of bacterial skin infections in dogs?
Depending on the location and extent of infection, skin infections can show up in a number of different ways. Vets categorise skin infections based on how deep they travel into the skin. The scientific term for a skin infection is 'pyoderma':
Surface pyoderma (very superficial - only the very top most layer of skin)
Surface pyoderma (very superficial - only the very top most layer of skin)
Superficial pyoderma
Superficial pyoderma
Deep pyoderma (penetrates deeper into the skin)
Deep pyoderma (penetrates deeper into the skin)
Dr Chiara Noli, Hot spot on the back of a dog with flea bite allergy
Dr Chiara Noli, Dermatitis of the skin fold on a pug's muzzle (redness, soreness)
Surface pyoderma
Surface pyoderma affects only the top-most layers of the skin. It typically causes redness, soreness, and itching of the skin, and sometimes has a “greasy” or oily appearance due to the oozing of infectious fluid from within the skin. The most common forms of surface pyoderma are hot spots, which develop due to self-trauma at an itchy spot, often triggered from an allergy, parasites etc., or skin fold dermatitis (facial folds, tail folds etc), which develops due to friction between two skin surfaces. Bacterial overgrowth is common in areas with poor air ventilation such as feet, skin folds, etc.
Dr Marie-Christine Cadiergues, Folliculitis in a dog/ Numerous pustules with local redness are visible
Dr Chiara Noli, multiple focal areas with hair loss, commonly seen in bacterial skin infections
Dr Chiara Noli, Crusts, often seen in bacterial skin infections
Dr Chiara Noli, Epidermal colarettes, evolution of pustules. Healing in progress
Superficial pyoderma
Superficial pyoderma goes deeper into the skin, and as well as the redness and itching, we often see infection within the hair follicles (called folliculitis), papules, pustules, crusts, localised hair loss (alopecia), and more significant pain and discomfort. We also typically see “epidermal collarettes” where the superficial layers of the skin peel back, and darkened skin. Superficial pyoderma can be seen anywhere on the body.
Folliculitis is a particular form of superficial pyoderma where the infection is concentrated in and around the hair follicles. Bacterial folliculitis in the dog is quite common and is characterised by pustules: whiteheads around the hair follicles. The follicle is usually surrounded by a red and swollen area. As well as being very painful, especially when the affected hairs are touched or moved, the larger pustules can rupture leaving open wounds and, later, scars.
Dr Catherine Laffort, Deep pyoderma in a dog. You can observe bumps and open draining tracts
Deep pyoderma
Deep pyoderma occurs once the infection has penetrated further into the skin and sometimes into the deeper tissues below. We may see bumps, open draining tracts and fissures in the skin and sometimes oozing pus. You can also see erosions and ulcerative areas. These lesions are often itchy, and even painful.
In addition to the common bacteria Staphylococcus, deep pyoderma is frequently complicated by other bacterial species, often those such as Pseudomonas, E. coli or Proteus which are harder to treat.
Dr Chiara Noli, Follicular cyst in a dog
Follicular cysts
Follicular cysts are quite common; however, it is important to differentiate a true cyst from something more concerning such as a sign of pyoderma (such as an infected follicle) or a tumour. A true follicular cyst is simply a plugged hair follicle, filled with oil (sebum) or other material. While cysts can be caused by trauma, they aren’t commonly secondary to infections. In most cases, they appear as single “lumps” in the skin, and although veterinary attention to confirm the diagnosis is important, they don’t often require treatment.
In the rare case of multiple follicular cysts, where cysts appear all over the body, it can be much harder to determine whether or not this is part of a skin infection. This condition might also need more aggressive veterinary treatment.
What causes skin infections in dogs?
Causes of skin infection are many and varied. We will focus on the most common causes below.
Natural bacteria on dogs’ skin; skin dysbiosis and skin infections
A wide range of bacterial species are naturally present on healthy dog’s skin. However, if skin health is compromised in any way, some opportunistic bacteria can overgrow and cause secondary infections.
This overgrowth is sometimes called “Skin Dysbiosis”, and this imbalance between bacteria is the most common cause of Staphylococcus infection in dogs. The bacteria were there before the infection and will still be there after it’s treated: but if they’re kept in check by other more friendly species, they don’t cause a problem.
The most clinically important Staphylococcus in dogs is Staphylococcus pseudointermedius, a species which seems to be particularly prone to overgrowth if the normal skin flora is disrupted. In comparison, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) account for around 10-20% of cases each. Infection with Staphylococcus in dogs, however, can also involve a wider range of species, including Staphylococcus aureus (less common). Many strains are resistant to many of our antibiotics due to resistant bacteria linked to use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine. This is why it is so important to try and reduce antibiotic use as much as possible.
Underlying conditions to skin infections
Bacterial skin infections can often develop due to an underlying condition that causes the skin to become more fragile. All skin conditions, many immunologic or metabolic abnormalities can lead to secondary skin infection. An example of this would be in a dog that suffers from allergic skin disease; regardless of what the dog is allergic to, is incredibly itchy that can lead to skin trauma and thus infection. In addition, their skin microbiota is modified and more prone to let bad bacteria overgrow. Certain breeds may be more susceptible to bacterial infections as they are predisposed to certain underlying conditions, for example in the case of breeds predisposed to developing allergies, Labrador Retrievers, Shar Peis, Boxers and Boston Terriers are amongst the breeds more likely to be affected.
Is bacterial skin infection contagious?
Almost never! Staphylococcus and other skin infections in dogs are usually the result of a disruption in the natural microbial barrier and involve the same bacteria that are present normally on every dog’s skin. So, in most cases, there is no risk of it being passed from dog to dog. Risk of transmission of Staphylococcus from a dog to a human is even less likely if good hand hygiene after treating or touching the affected areas. Nonetheless there are some cases where transmission is possible, especially in cases where a person with a compromised immune system (babies, older people, person receiving chemotherapy, etc.). Thorough hand washing lowers the risk of transmission.
It’s important to remember, though, that even though the bacteria are similar, the possibility of the transmission of genes for antibiotic resistance is real.
How is a bacterial skin infection diagnosed?
Vets will perform a clinical examination and may also need to conduct further diagnostic tests in-house to confirm a bacterial infection and initial treatment. As the infection is often secondary, after resolution, the vet may need further investigation to rule out underlying conditions. In complicated and severe cases, swabs for culture can be taken and sent to a lab for growth and analysis, to determine what antibiotics are the most appropriate (if needed).
How to treat skin bacterial overgrowth in dogs?
Dr Chiara Noli, Crusts, often seen in bacterial skin infections
When deciding how to treat dog skin infections, there are four key components your vet will want to consider.
1: Suppress bacterial growth on, into and below the skin
The skin provides the reservoir of bacteria which are causing the problem. Therefore, suppressing growth - especially of the disease-causing organisms - is important. The approach will depend on the depth of the infection. Common approaches involve the use of antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine (found in DOUXO® S3 PYO). An initial shampoo removes bacteria, crusts, etc. while subsequent use of the mousse allow the ingredients a longer direct skin contact time for optimal performance. For more localised infections (small hot spots), Douxo S3 Pads delivers antiseptic ingredients only where necessary. By knocking down the bacterial population, we create a “breathing space” for healing to occur.
In case of deep pyoderma or refractory cases, vets may have to prescribe antibiotic medications It is essential that the most appropriate antibiotic is chosen, based on cultures, to reduce the further development of resistance, and to effectively treat resistant bacteria.
2: Relieve pain, itching and inflammation
Depending on how much pain and inflammation there is, and if your dog is on any other medications, your vet might recommend anti-inflammatories or pain killers for your dog. There are a range of options available, from prescription anti-inflammatory medications to topical skin care products that are effective in soothing and improving hydration of inflamed skin directly at the source of the problem. The Douxo S3 range includes ophytrium which is proven to be effective in reducing redness, itchiness and improving hydration.
3: Restore the natural skin barriers
Where skin is infected, bacteria have damaged or overcome the microbial and mechanical barriers. Restoring these barriers is an important part of the overall treatment plan. Ophytrium (included in the DOUXO® S3 PYO formulation) can simultaneously strengthen the mechanical barrier, reduce adhesion and biofilm formations of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius while protecting the normal, healthy skin flora.
4: Treat or manage any underlying causes
Skin imbalance rarely occurs on its own - there is usually a trigger cause, an underlying disease process. Identifying that and managing it is essential if repeat infections are to be avoided once treatment has finished!
5: What is the prognosis and is it possible to prevent?
The prognosis for bacterial skin infection is generally good, even if recovery can be long when the infection is deep. Avoidance of relapse can require long-term management of the underlying cause. If the underlying condition has been controlled, then the secondary or recurrent bacterial infections are reduced.
Prevention will depend on the cause. Long-term management of allergies, up-to-date parasiticide treatment, maintenance of a healthy coat are several measures that may prevent future flare-up.
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Pyodermas or bacterial infections in dogs are serious conditions causing discomfort for your companion. Fortunately, they are often not contagious and can be effectively managed with the right treatment plan. Veterinarians recommend DOUXO® S3 PYO products to reduce pathogenic bacteria workload on the skin. This solution fights notably staphylococcus, and folliculitis in dogs. With a complete, easy, and trouble-free routine developed with high-performance ingredients for maximum safety, DOUXO® S3 PYO is tailored to provide quick relief and reach difficult areas with pads. Give your furry friend the best solution to combat bacterial overgrowth and restore the healthy skin barrier it deserves