Bacterial Allergies in Dogs

Pyoderma is another term used to refer to bacterial skin diseases in dogs. This is commonly caused by a bacteria called the Staphylococcus (Staph).

The Staph bacteria has several species of its kind that normally live in dogs’ skin. This bacteria doesn’t pose any threat to its host as long as the dog’s immune system is operating perfectly and the skin is normal. However, when the dog’s immune system gets weak by either being unhealthy or by suffering from other serious allergies, it can develop allergies from this bacteria as well.

It is interesting to note that the Staphylococcus bacterium is not rare. It commonly exists everywhere in certain amounts. However, it’s the adverse reaction to it is the one quite rare to occur, but does in fact affect a minuscule percentage in the dog population.

When this happens, visible unappealing symptoms on the dog’s skin can be seen – red blotches, formation of pus puckets or pustules and considerable hair loss. A skin formation resembling a ringworm also signifies infection. The skin becomes ulcerated and emits an unpleasant odor. It has been noted that this allergies frequently affects pug nosed breeds of dogs and the obese ones.

A blood test can be done to determine the specific type of bacteria that causes the allergies and treatment in the form of antibiotics or immune stimulant may accordingly be administered. Culturing the skin to grow the bacteria in order to conduct sensitivity test and to discover the best antibiotic treatment to use is sometimes performed.

The Staph bacteria however have the tendency to return once antiobiotic is discontinued. It is best to desensitize with Staph antigen to fully free the system from this type of allergies. Good news is that this bacteria is not contagious to other pets nor to humans.