Pyoderma in Dogs

Importance of dogs as pets has increased and they are considered extension ofthe family. Large and giant breeds are also kept as watch dogs in the households as wellas in farm houses. Bangalore being an important IT capital, it has been found that therehas been a sharp rise in the dog population and concern from the owner for their goodhealth.Pyoderma or cutaneous bacterial infection is one of the common syndromesencountered in canine practice (Mason; 1997, Pradis; 1998). Virtually any primarycanine skin disorder and several systemic diseases can lead to pyoderma. (Mason1997). It is one of the most frequently seen conditions in small animal practice and yetalso one of the most frustrating to treat (Craig, 2003).Primary diseases leading to pyoderma include hypersensitivity, ectoparasitismand metabolic endocrine diseases (Mason, 1997). However there are cases in which adeligent search does not reveal a cause for pyoderma and the disease recurs, which isreferred to as idiopathic pyoderma and such pyoderma may require life longantimicrobial therapy (Mason, 1997). It is also suggested that the epidermal barrier isless developed in dogs than in other mammals. Therefore, canine skin may be inherentlysusceptible to pyoderma than that of other species (Mason, 1991). Despite theirfrequency of occurrence many pyodermas are misdiagnosed or improperly managed(Ihrke, 1987).It is well documented in dogs that pyoderma is almost always attributable to thecoagulase positive organisms Staphylococus intermedius (Kunkle 1987, Ihrke 1987, Mason 1991).Microbiologic testing techniques now allow laboratory personnel todifferentiate S. intermedius from S.aureus, the major stophylococcal pathogen inhumans (Kunkle 1987, Hill and Moriello 1994, Hesselbarth et.al 1994). Gram-negativebacteria such as Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Escherichia coli may be found assecondary invaders of pyoderma (Kwochka 1993). Reports have suggested thatcoagulase positive staphylococci are normally carried on the hair coat, providing asource of infectious organisms for skin under appropriate conditions (Kwochka 1993).