Pyoderma or "acute moist dermatitis" is a skin disease that presents with inflamed rashes, often accompanied by foul-smelling exudates. These lesions have a highly variable etiology ranging from allergic reactions to bacterial infections triggered by wounds or lesions. Cuts, wounds and skin lesions in general can be caused by many factors, including flea bites, scrapes, contact abrasions, anal gland problems and systemic allergies. Dogs often suffer from itching and scratching causing injuries and wounds, to the point of causing moist scabs on the coat. Pyoderma rashes are painful for the animal and can become very large in a short time; for this reason it is important to seek adequate and prompt treatment as soon as you notice any of these lesions on your canine friend's skin.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Injuries
Step 1. Observe the animal
Try to figure out if they tend to scratch or lick a certain part of their body constantly. This is usually a sign of some kind of skin irritation.
Step 2. Inspect the dog's coat strand by strand
Do a thorough check of the area that you seem to have identified as problematic. The areas affected by acute dermatitis are difficult to see with the naked eye because they spread under the animal's fur. Usually, by the time you notice these outbreaks, the inflammation is well established and develops rapidly.
Step 3. Make sure it's pyoderma
In this case the skin is red, moist, hot and very irritated. Other factors that make you understand that it is precisely this pathology are the presence of an exudate and bad smell.
- These rashes mainly develop on the dog's head, but also on the hips or chest.
- Dogs with long, dense coats are more likely to suffer from this disorder.
- Specimens that are not brushed regularly and have a tousled coat are at greater risk of pyoderma, as do those that swim a lot or often stand in the rain.
- Animals with hip dysplasia or anal gland disease suffer from pyoderma rashes much more often than healthy ones, since they have a tendency to lick their hips and butt.
Step 4. Check the skin area surrounding the pyoderma
If you find a skin rash compatible with a diagnosis of acute dermatitis, carefully examine the rest of the animal's body for other reddened or moist areas. All rashes should be treated immediately and if possible you should identify the root cause (flea bites, scratches, allergy, etc.).
Step 5. Call the vet
If this is your furry friend's first episode of pyoderma, it is essential to see your vet. He will be able to come to an accurate diagnosis and plan the correct therapy.
Part 2 of 3: Clean the Wound
Step 1. Trim or shave the hair that grows on the infected area
Exposing the skin to air allows the wound to dry and accelerates the healing process. Be very careful not to pull on the fur as this could further irritate your dog's skin and potentially tear it.
- Disinfect the scissors or clipper before trimming the hair. If there is the presence of a liquid that oozes from the skin, you must often disinfect the tool as you proceed to shear the animal, otherwise the scissors or clipper will fill with dirt and organic material. Remember to clean and disinfect all equipment at the end of the procedure.
- Have your pet sit or lie down while you cut his fur. Ask someone to help you to keep him still.
- To avoid accidentally cutting your four-legged friend's skin, do not shave all the fur, but leave a length of 6 mm.
- However, if the injured area is too large, shave it completely.
Step 2. Clean the wound
Use an antibacterial shampoo that you can buy at the pharmacy (the one for human use is fine too) or at the vet's office.
- Choose a good product that contains chlorhexidine, as it is an excellent active ingredient.
- You can also cleanse the skin with a mild water-based astringent or an antiseptic spray.
- Before using any product on pyoderma lesion, consult your veterinarian.
Step 3. Let the antibacterial shampoo work for about 10 minutes
In this way, the medical action of the product is more effective, since the active ingredient penetrates deeply. After 10 minutes you can rinse the area and dry it completely.
If you have decided to use an alternative solution, read the accompanying instructions and follow them carefully
Step 4. Apply an antibiotic spray or ointment
Most likely, the veterinarian will have prescribed a topical drug such as gentamicin or betamethasone spray, but may also decide to accompany the local medication with oral antibiotic therapy, based on the severity of the infection.
You can apply the antibiotic ointment or spray to the wound three times a day
Step 5. Make sure the skin stays dry
The air will allow the skin to heal more quickly, while the humidity favors the development of the infection.
Remember that pyoderma should not be covered with gauze and bandages because the fabric traps moisture and worsens the situation
Step 6. Check the wound twice a day
If you notice any buildup of discharge, repeat washing with the antibacterial shampoo to keep the wound clean.
Step 7. Examine your wagging friend's entire body for any new or developing outbreaks
You should check it daily, especially in hot, humid weather.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Further Damage
Step 1. Stop the itching
Hydrocortisone spray and Benadryl lozenges are great for this. The correct dosage is one tablet for every 25 kg of weight.
- The vet may prescribe steroids. This class of drugs is perfect for severe cases, but could show dangerous side effects in the long term. Also, if you stop cortisone therapy before the pyoderma is completely resolved, worsening of the rebound effect may occur.
- Avoid using creams on pyoderma. These products retain moisture, while the lesion must dry completely to heal.
Step 2. Use an Elizabethan collar to prevent the animal from biting or licking the lesion
These cone collars prevent the dog from reaching the rash, so that it cannot irritate the skin further.
- The Elizabethan collar should not be the only tool for treating pyoderma; in fact, it does not cure the infection, but prevents the dog from aggravating the injury. Untreated acute dermatitis becomes more and more extensive and severe, as well as causing intense pain to the animal.
- If the lesion can be scratched with the hind leg, then cover the limb with a sock secured with duct tape.
Step 3. Trim your faithful friend's nails
This prevents them from scratching and spreading the infected liquid.
Advice
- Prevent pyoderma. Brush your dog's coat regularly and clip it especially in hot weather. Also remember to put your furry friend on a flea prevention program to keep fleas under control, following your vet's directions. As a general rule, treat all scrapes, cuts and injuries promptly, check them every day until they are completely healed.
- There are many conditions that can trigger wet dermatitis outbreaks, but you can try to alleviate and control them. For example, if your pet has a particular food allergy or sensitivity, then work with your vet to reduce symptoms and reactive seizures.
Warnings
- It is a good idea to have the vet check all rashes, abnormalities and wounds in the dog.
- In very severe cases, pyoderma rashes can seriously damage the animal's skin. Although scars are unlikely to remain, the possibility is not excluded.
