Puppy Pyoderma: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments

Key points

• Pyoderma causes raised red bumps on the skin, called papules.
• Puppy Pyoderma might cause itchiness, but sometimes the rash is the only symptom.
• Puppy Pyoderma is typically found on areas of the body with less hair, including the groin, armpits, and abdomen.
• Puppy Pyoderma is not contagious to humans or other animals.
• A veterinarian should confirm the diagnosis and prescribe treatment if required, but some cases resolve without treatment.

Common in

Puppies, although older dogs can get other types of pyoderma.

Symptoms & types

Pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin, and although it can affect all ages, it’s reasonably common in puppies. If your puppy has pyoderma, you might notice small red, spot-like bumps on their skin. The spots might be papules with no visible pus or pustules, where yellow pus forms a head on top of the papule. You might also notice flakey or scaley rings of dry skin called epidermal collarettes, which are old pustules that have started to heal. 

The most common places to see signs of puppy pyoderma are on the belly, in the groin or armpit, or any other area where the fur is sparse. Sometimes, pyoderma causes itchiness, but this is usually mild. Most puppies show no sign of being irritated, itchy, or in pain. If your puppy has pyoderma, they typically remain well and continue to eat, drink, and behave normally.

Puppy pyoderma is quite common amongst young dogs and, although it might need some treatment from your veterinarian, it’s not usually serious.

Understanding the diagnostics

It’s unlikely that your veterinarian will recommend many diagnostic tests for puppy pyoderma since it is a condition that often resolves on its own or with minor treatment. However, in cases that are more severe or don’t respond quickly to treatment, your veterinarian might suggest taking a swab from the area. A swab is a long Q-tip, and it is wiped or rolled over the area of skin to collect cells and bacteria. Your veterinarian can examine the cells under a microscope, or they might be sent to a laboratory. The laboratory can grow and identify any bacteria on the swab and then test various antibiotics on them to see which works best.

If there is any question of whether your puppy’s skin condition is pyoderma or another condition, your veterinarian might suggest doing other tests. This might include using a Wood’s lamp to check for ringworm, sending some plucked hair for fungal culture, or doing a biopsy.

Learning about the causes

Puppies are susceptible to pyoderma for multiple reasons. Their skin is more sensitive, their skin barrier is underdeveloped, and their immune system is immature. Any healthy dog has many millions of bacteria living on the surface of their skin, and this is normal.

However, puppy pyoderma is caused when these normal bacteria grow out of control, without the puppy’s immune system keeping them in check. One of these bacteria is Staphylococcus intermedius. When they find their way through the skin barrier, they cause Puppy Pyoderma. Occasionally, the bacteria’s entry point is via a wound, scrape, or other trauma; however, with puppy pyoderma, it is usually due to their weakened defenses.

Puppies are prone both because their immune system is immature and their skin barrier is more easily broached.

Best treatment options

Sometimes, Puppy Pyoderma can resolve on its own, especially if you can gently bathe the area with salt water. However, if treatment is required, it’s often as simple as using an antibacterial wash like chlorhexidine or an antibiotic cream. If the rash is persistent, very itchy, or affects deeper layers of the skin, your puppy might need additional medication like antibiotic tablets or steroids.

Home remedies and their effectiveness

Using salt water to bathe the affected skin will help to reduce the bacteria numbers. However, puppy skin is very sensitive, so it’s important not to use any of your human creams and ointments, even if they’re for babies, without speaking to your veterinarian first. 

When to see a vet

There are lots of skin conditions that can cause itchiness and redness, and puppies are particularly susceptible. Therefore, it’s best to ask your veterinarian to check your pup’s rash and confirm the diagnosis, just in case it’s anything more serious.

If your puppy seems well and isn’t bothered by the rash, you might decide just to keep an eye on it. However, you should seek veterinary advice if your puppy develops any other symptoms or if the rash hasn’t improved within a few days. Your veterinarian will be able to check that it is Puppy Pyoderma and prescribe any treatment that might be required to clear the infection.

Summary

Puppy pyoderma is quite common amongst young dogs and, although it might need some treatment from your veterinarian, it’s not usually serious. So, if your pup has red spots, an unexplained rash, or is itchy, it’s worth contacting our veterinary team so that we can help.