Canine pyoderma is a common presentation in small animal practice and frequently leads to prescription
of systemic antimicrobial agents. A good foundation of knowledge on pyoderma was established during
the 1970s and 1980s, when treatment of infection provided relatively few challenges. However, the ability
to treat canine pyoderma effectively is now limited substantially by the emergence of multidrugresistant,
methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) and, in some countries, by restrictions on
antimicrobial prescribing for pets. The threat from rising antimicrobial resistance and the zoonotic
potential of MRS add a new dimension of public health implications to the management of canine
pyoderma and necessitate a revisit and the search for new best management strategies. This narrative
review focusses on the impact of MRS on how canine pyoderma is managed and how traditional
treatment recommendations need to be updated in the interest of good antimicrobial stewardship.
Background information on clinical characteristics, pathogens, and appropriate clinical and microbiological
diagnostic techniques, are reviewed in so far as they can support early identification of multidrugresistant
pathogens. The potential of new approaches for the control and treatment of bacterial skin
infections is examined and the role of owner education and hygiene is highlighted. Dogs with pyoderma
offer opportunities for good antimicrobial stewardship by making use of the unique accessibility of the
skin through cytology, bacterial culture and topical therapy. In order to achieve long term success and to
limit the spread of multidrug resistance, there is a need to focus on identification and correction of
underlying diseases that trigger pyoderma in order to avoid repeated treatment.
© 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
What has changed in canine pyoderma? A narrative review
