Re: Lipfold Pyoderma - Spaniel

Question
Dear Patti,

I trust that you will be able to provide some advice and perhaps solution to my problem.

I have a 6 year old female Spaniel. She has been for 2 operations for Lipfold Pyoderma (the most recent being about 6 months ago). I noticed the familiar odour returning last night, just a hint but definitely there. We have also (before the operations) tried the antibiotics and so forth but the vet said only the operation will do the trick. She has been twice and now it's back! Is there anything else that you can recommend I do or try? There really isn't much skin left to cut away on the poor girl and she's been through hell and back already.

Many thanks and look forward to your reply.

Answer

Hi Michelle,

I'm sorry to hear that your dog is still having problems with her Lip Fold Pyoderma, despite your best efforts to control it!

Sometimes surgery just doesn't prevent additional outbreaks of this condition. In those cases, special staphylococcal vaccines can be an alternative to long-term antibiotic treatment. This is something you should discuss with your vet.  It may be necessary to continue treatments such as antiseptic shampooing, antibiotic ointment applications and giving antibiotics orally at home. While most cases respond to treatment, recurrences of pyoderma are common, particularly if treatment recommendations and follow-up visits to your veterinarian are neglected. So please keep your vet informed of your dog's condition, and start treatments promptly when there's out outbreak.

Most bacterial skin infections in dogs are secondary to another disease such as parasitism, allergies, endocrine (hormonal) disorders or abnormalities in the immune system. Therefore, in recurrent cases, it is important to search for underlying causes. It may be necessary to do blood tests, allergy tests or skin biopsies to achieve a complete diagnosis.

You didn't say if your dog is over weight or not. In overweight dogs, there is a higher rate of recurrences of this condition. If this is the case, weight loss can only help!

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti