Canine bacterial folliculitis

The bacterial folliculitis of the dog is a disease caused by bacteria of the uppermost layers of the epidermis (surface pyoderma ) when domestic dog it, wherein inflammation of the hair follicle ( folliculitis comes). The trigger is mostly Staphylococcus pseudointermedius , as a rule the disease occurs after previous damage to the skin by parasites , allergies , cornification disorders , endocrine diseases or trauma as well as after persistent contamination of the fur.

Bacterial folliculitis initially presents with small pustules or red papules with a hair in the center. Later, dandruff (colarettes), crusts and hair loss can occur. The hairless areas can be well delimited or extend like moth-eaten over larger areas. Itching is usually only moderate. The diagnosis is made based on a cytological examination . Numerous bacteria and intact and degenerated neutrophils can be detected with phagocytosed bacteria. In the differential diagnosis, malassezia dermatitis , demodicosis , dermatophytosis and pemphigus foliaceus can be excluded.

The treatment is carried out locally (topically) and / or by giving an antibiotic . First choice antibiotics are cefalexin , amoxicillin, and clindamycin . An antibiogram is required at the latest if there is no improvement after two weeks of antibiotic therapy, if new changes occur despite antibiosis, or if not only cocci but also intracellular rods appear. For topical treatment, mainly agents based on chlorhexidine or polyhexanide are used.

literature

• Katrin Timm and Claudia S. Nett-Mettler: Pruritus in dogs (Part 2) - Infectious and neoplastic causes. In: Kleintierpraxis , Volume 60, 2016, Issue 6, pp. 311–332.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !