Dog Skin Allergies
Antibiotics for dogs are used in cases of canine atopic dermatitis to cure dog skin infections caused by intense scratching of their skin. In medicine this is called pruritus which is Latin for itching. Unfortunately, dogs will often lick and bite irritated skin which only serves to spread the infection. So infections can take hold and spread fairly quickly in dogs.
Dog Skin Allergies
Constant Itching
Dog Skin Allergies
Itching and scratching is the most common complaint family veterinarians hear. This is logical because unlike humans, the primary symptom of a wide range of serious conditions and even diseases in dogs is itching. There is a physiological reason for this. When sick, humans will primarily "feel sick to their stomach" and they sneeze and cough. Dogs will primarily have itchy skin.
Dog Skin Allergies
Curing a canine skin infection is important because they can develop into serious problems. A serious dog skin infection is called Chronic Dermatitis. When this develops a family vet will often refer the dog to a veterinary dermatologist. These are experts in the field of dog skin infections and they can be a superb resource.
A bacterial skin infection is called pyoderma and the bacteria that cause them are not contagious to humans.
Canine Antibiotics
A veterinary dermatologist may take a culture, which will be grown in the lab in order to determine which antibiotic would be most effective in treatment. In some cases other tests may be necessary.
When the antibiotic is selected, an oral antibiotic will be prescribed to cover a period of 3-4 weeks. Occasionally a dog owner will discontinue a dog antibiotic as soon as he/she thinks the lesions have cleared up. This can be a mistake. If stopped too early, the lesions will return; in that event the bacteria may be more difficult to treat as it will be resistant to the canine antibiotic that was first used.
In addition to an oral dog antibiotic, your family vet or vet dermatologist may:
1) Instruct you to bathe or shower your dog often (sometimes daily or twice a week) and to use an antibiotic shampoo, usually one with benzoyl peroxide,
2) Instruct you to dry your dog's coat very carefully after bathing or showering,
3) Instruct you to use an antibiotic ointment on the lesions, and to bandage them, or
4) Have you use a protective collar on the dog's head to prevent your dog from biting the lesions.
Many owners are less than vigilant in making sure their dog receives his/her canine antibiotics and using the treatments listed above, so recurrences of pyoderma are common. To prevent a relapse, the wise dog owner will make sure their dog receives the entire antibiotic medication regiment, and follow the instructions of his/her vet dermatologist.
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