Now is the time for veterinary surgeons and pet owners to keep an eye on their pets - especially dogs - for the first signs of superficial pyoderma, according to Dr Simon Wheeler, Head of Technical Services at Pharmacia Animal Health.

Dr Wheeler says: “By early detection of superficial pyoderma, it is possible to treat the bacterial infection quickly and easily before it becomes a more severe manifestation of this highly prevalent seasonal skin disease.”

The spring and summer months give rise to many more cases of superficial pyoderma, although it can develop at any time of the year. Dr Wheeler says: “The warmer weather means there will be more biting and skin irritating insects in the garden, village green or wherever the family dog might wander. These insects usually irritate or break open the skin, leaving it exposed to bacterial infection such as Staphylococcus intermedius, which causes nearly every case of superficial pyoderma.”

Pharmacia Animal Health, makers of the antibiotic Antirobe (clindamycin hydrochloride) which is used to treat superficial pyoderma quickly and effectively, has developed some easy-to-follow tips for pet owners and vets to recognise canine superficial pyoderma.

Top Five Pyoderma Signs

1. Patches of the dog’s skin itches, has red areas often with pimples or scabs and the pet might have an unpleasant smell.
2. Raw, oozing, sore or ‘hot spot’ on or near an insect bite that has been excessively licked or scratched. (Fleabites are the most common cause of skin irritation that leads to superficial pyoderma.)
3. Circular patches of hair loss.
4. Yellowish spots that break out into larger wheals and scabs.
5. Sores between toes, under front and back legs, and near to mouth.

Dr Wheeler says: “It is important to understand some of the causes of this infection during the spring and summer months in order to be able to treat superficial pyoderma effectively.”
According to Dr Wheeler, superficial pyoderma develops when the Staphs make their way into skin irritated or broken by insect bites or from excessive scratching of the bites.

Catching these cases early and using a safe, efficacious antibiotic like Antirobe, it is easy to clear up the superficial pyoderma with less likelihood of recurrence and little discomfort.