canis - Articles
Skin: deep pyoderma
Introduction
- May be life-endangering dermatoses.
- Cause: predisposed by demodicosis, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism Hyperadrenocorticism, trauma or immunosuppression, eg neoplasia or internal disease, may be idiopathic (especially German Shepherd pyoderma).
- Signs: papules, pustules, furuncles, discharging sinuses; bacterial infection of dermal and subcuticular tissues.
- Diagnosis: history, clinical signs, microscopy, histopathology, bacteriology.
- Treatment: antimicrobial/antibiotic therapy.
- Prognosis: varied according to bacterial infection.
Presenting signs
- Papules, pustules, furuncles and discharging sinuses.
- Mucopurulent or hemorrhagic exudate.
- Erythema, edema, ulceration, malodor, pain.
- Overlying coat matted with dried exudate.
- Regional lymphadenopathy.
- Depression in generalized cases.
- Lameness when pododermatitis is severe.
Age predisposition
German Shepherd Dog pyoderma
- 4-8 years old (see Skin: 'idiopathic' furunculosis (German Shepherd Dog)).
Breed/Species predisposition
Generalized deep pyoderma
- German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog.
- Bull Terrier Bull Terrier.
Interdigital pyoderma
- Bull Terrier Bull Terrier.
- French Bull Dogs French Bulldog.
Pressure point pyoderma
- Great Dane Great Dane.
- St Bernard St Bernard.
- Boxer Boxer.
Nasal pyoderma
- German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog.
- Bull Terrier Bull Terrier.
Cost considerations
- Lengthy courses of antibiotics may prove expensive.
Pathogenesis
Predisposing factors
General
Generalized deep pyoderma
- Demodicosis Skin: demodectic mange.
- Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism.
- Idiopathic.
- Other causes of immunosuppression, eg neoplasia, hyperadrenocorticism Hyperadrenocorticism.
Interdigital pyoderma
- Demodicosis.
- Foreign body.
- Hypersensitivity Skin: food hypersensitivity Skin: atopy Skin: pododermatitis and furunculosis.
- Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism.
- Dermatophytosis Skin: dermatophytosis.
Muzzle and chin pyoderma
- Idiopathic Skin: canine 'acne'.
- Demodicosis.
Pressure point pyoderma
- Poor bedding Skin: decubital ulcers.
- Obesity.
- Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism.
Anal furunculosis
- Idiopathic Perianal fistula.
- Genetic, anatomical or immunological factors.
Nasal pyoderma
- Idiopathic.
- May not be a form of pyoderma.
Pathophysiology
- Superficial pyoderma → deeper into follicles → rupture of follicular wall → pyogranulomatous perifolliculitis or furunculosis in dermis and subcutis → extension along tissue planes → fistulae on surface or cellulitis and panniculitis in subcutaneous and fatty tissues.
- Combined infection and foreign body reactions.
- Anatomic predisposition - short-coated breeds, eg bull dogs are at higher risk for interdigital pyoderma.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Carlotti D N, Guaguere E, Pin D, Jasmin P, Thomas E & Guiral V (1999) Therapy of difficult cases of canine pyoderma with marbofloxacin - a report of 39 dogs. JSAP 40 (6), 265-270 PubMed.
- Scott D W et al (1998) Efficacy of clindamycin hydrochloride capsules for the treatment of deep pyoderma due to Staphylococcus intermedius infection in dogs. Can Vet J 39 (12), 753-756 PubMed.
- Hill P B & Moriello K A (1994) Canine pyoderma. JAVMA 204 (3), 334-340 PubMed.
- Mason I (1993) Selection and use of antibacterial agents in canine pyoderma. In Practice 15 (3), 129-134 VetMedResource.
- DeManuelle T C et al (1985) Determination of skin concentrations of enrofloxacin in dogs with pyoderma. Am J Vet Res 59 (12), 1599-1604 PubMed.
- Thoday K L (1980) Canine pruritus; an approach to diagnosis - Stage II - Infestations and infections. JSAP 21 (8), 449-458 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Miller W H, Griffin C E & Campbell K L (2013) Small Animal Dermatology. Philadelphia, W B Saunders. pp 198-206. ISBN 978-1-4160-0028-0 (the standard dermatology text).