What is pyoderma in dogs? How long does it take to treat it and how much does it cost?

Among dog skin diseases, one to be especially careful of is pyoderma.

Pyoderma is one of the most common skin diseases in dogs. Many dogs with pyoderma are seen at veterinary clinics.

Pyoderma can cause red rashes and partial hair loss. To ensure your dog's health, you want to prevent it from developing at all costs. So, some owners may be wondering, "Why does pyoderma develop?"

This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of pyoderma.
If you're wondering, "What kind of disease is pyoderma in dogs?", please read this article.

What is pyoderma

Main Symptoms

The following symptoms are common in dogs with pyoderma:

• Redness of the skin
• Rash
• Dandruff
• Itching
• Scab formation
• Hair loss

Once the condition develops, it often causes itching, and scratching the skin can cause damage and worsen the condition.
In addition, if your dog licks affected skin, the condition can spread to other areas.
Pyoderma can develop anywhere on the body, so care must be taken to prevent it from spreading throughout the body.

Major Causes

The main cause of pyoderma is the overgrowth of the normal resident bacteria, "Staphylococcus aureus."
Pyoderma is not contagious to other dogs, so it is not contagious between dogs.
Therefore, it is believed that the onset of the disease is caused by an imbalance of normal bacteria due to an abnormality in the dog's own skin barrier.

The following are some of the main actions that can cause an imbalance of normal bacteria.

• Not brushing
• Not shampooing for a long time
• Not taking measures or preventing mites
• Having cuts on the skin
• Going into bushes, etc.

When skin health deteriorates, the balance of normal bacteria is easily disrupted.
For this reason, keeping the skin clean is important.
It is also said that underlying conditions such as atopic dermatitis and hormonal abnormalities can cause pyoderma.

Susceptible Dog Breeds

Pyoderma is a disease that can affect any dog ​​breed.
In particular, dog breeds with deep nasal folds are more likely to accumulate bacteria in the nasal folds.
The following dog breeds are primarily known for their deep nasal folds:

• Bulldog
• Pug
• Pekingese

These breeds are said to be more susceptible to pyoderma than other breeds.
However, pyoderma is a disease that can occur regardless of breed, so regardless of breed, you need to pay attention to the health of your dog's skin.

How to Reduce the Risk of Pyoderma

The best way to prevent pyoderma is to keep your pet's skin healthy and clean.
Especially during hot and humid weather, body hair can cause the skin to become sweaty, leading to poor skin hygiene.
For this reason, it can be effective to increase the frequency of shampooing to about twice a month during humid weather.
However, be careful not to over-shampoo, as this can cause damage to the skin.
After shampooing, be sure to dry your pet's body thoroughly with a hair dryer.

How long does it take to heal?

Pyoderma generally resolves completely within about three weeks of treatment. However, treatment can sometimes take longer, and even after recovery, it can recur several months later, making it a troublesome condition. Superficial pyoderma resolves completely within about three weeks. However, deep pyoderma, which develops in the deeper layers of the skin, can take up to three months to fully resolve. No matter how long the treatment period, this condition can be cured as long as you take your medication properly, so there's no need to worry if it doesn't seem to be getting better.

Pyoderma is primarily treated with antibiotics. Medications are taken twice daily for at least two to three weeks. If little effect is seen, the dosage is generally increased to three times daily and the treatment period extended. Recently, antibiotic treatments have become more common, often combined with food, supplements, and shampoo therapy. Combining antibiotic therapy with shampoo therapy is particularly effective. Medicated shampoos can physically reduce bacteria, shortening the treatment period. Medicated shampoos have few side effects and are gentle on the dog's body.

Interrupting any treatment midway may result in a longer recovery time.
Never interrupt treatment midway and be sure to complete it.

Cure Costs

The cost of treating pyoderma varies depending on the veterinary clinic, but the average price is approximately 10,000 to 15,000 yen.

Specific cost examples are as follows:

If treatment is prolonged and additional consultations and prescription medications are required, further medical costs will be incurred.
If you have pet insurance, you can use your pet insurance to pay for treatment.
The amount of your out-of-pocket expenses will vary depending on the pet insurance you have, but you will be able to keep treatment costs lower than if you were to pay the full amount yourself.

We recommend purchasing pet insurance to avoid situations where you are unable to pay for treatment in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Summary

Pyoderma is one of the diseases that dogs are prone to.
Pyoderma can occur not only at home, but also when walking, when your dog's skin is injured by walking into bushes or other areas.
For this reason, it's important to always pay attention to your dog's skin health, whether at home or out.

However, it can be difficult to pay constant attention to your dog.
In that case, we recommend checking your dog's skin condition when interacting with it, and taking it to the vet immediately if you notice any abnormalities.
Pyoderma is a disease that can easily spread to the rest of your dog's skin if the dog licks the affected area.
It's best to have your dog treated before the symptoms worsen.
Keep your dog's skin as clean as possible and create a clean environment that prevents pyoderma from developing.