RECURRENT PYODERMA AND MRS: WHAT DO I DO NOW

摘要

Staphylococcal skin infections can be stubbornly recurrent in some dogs. The client (and the veterinarian) must understand that staphylococcal bacteria are normal flora; infection cannot occur unless something has gone wrong with the skin or its defense systems. Thus, particularly in recurrent infections, the first step is to attempt to define the underlying cause with appropriate diagnostic investigation. In younger dogs with recurrent infections, common causes of recurrence include external parasites and allergic disease. Older animals can also develop recurrent infections from hypothyroidism or any other underlying systemic disease. Despite thorough testing, some patients with recurrent infections defy diagnosis—their infections respond completely to antibiotic treatment, yet continue to recur soon after such treatment is discontinued. For such patients with "idiopathic recurrent pyoderma," there are several measures that may help to prevent or limit recurrence.