Pyoderma is bacterial infection of the skin, and in dogs it is one of the most common reasons antimicrobials are prescribed. It is nearly always secondary: allergy, parasites, endocrine disease or skin folds set the stage, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius takes advantage. Treatment depends on how deep the infection goes, and the 2025 ISCAID guidelines changed the standard answers on topical therapy and course length.
Key facts
Pyoderma at a glance- Species and system: dog; skin (surface, epidermis and hair follicle, dermis and subcutis).
- Cause: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in more than 90% of cases, usually secondary to an underlying disease.
- Classic presentation: papules, pustules and epidermal collarettes on the ventral abdomen and medial thighs (superficial bacterial folliculitis).
- Diagnosis: cytology in every case; culture and susceptibility whenever systemic therapy is planned or resistance is likely.
- Treatment: topical antiseptics alone for surface and superficial pyoderma; systemic drugs, ideally chosen by culture, for deep pyoderma.
- Zoonotic note: transmission of meticillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) to people is considered low risk but has been reported; MRSA in a dog suggests a human source.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
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