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Furunculoses - deep down skin infection.
Furunculoses is a skin infection that normally starts at the hair follicle and later spreads to the nearby tissue. The infection can be sterile but is often
infected with bacteria - typically staphylococcus intermedius - which is part of a dogs natural bacteria flora. Other bacteria can be involved too.
Furunculoses is a serious condition which can be very painful and give high temperature. The illness often needs intensive and long lasting treatment.
Furunculoses can appear in various forms. Most common is the type known as " hot spots " or Wet Eczema which are puss-filled lesions that can suddenly appear
on the dog, especially in the summer when the weather is moist and warm
Another type is abscesses between the toes that will eventually burst to let the inflammation out.
There could also be larger infected areas of the skin with running sores, hair loss and swellings. If that is the case the dog will run a temperature and feel generally dejected.
The vet will be able to diagnose Furunculoses by doing a biopsy of the affected parts. These tests are normally done under a general anaesthetic so that the dog doesn't feel any pain. The results will give important information about the reactions of the skin and of the disorder that is causing the Furunculoses.
It is very important that one realises that the treatment of Furunculoses takes time. In rare cases it can be a life long treatment.
The vet will probably choose a combination treatment of giving the dog antibiotics for at least three to four weeks after the symptoms have disappeared (Cultivation of the bacteria will help the vet determine which antibiotics is the best. ) and the use of a good disinfectant shampoo on the infected spots. Finally it's good to give the dog a supplement to strengthen the skin's defence mechanism and curb the infection.
Adrenal cortex cream is useful to curb the reactions caused by a poor defence mechanism or allergic reactions. It is also important to prevent attacks of fleas and other
parasites in the coat.
A number of things can cause Furunculoses such as hair follicle mites, allergies and fungal infections.
Quite a number of dogs will at times develop Furunculoses to a bigger or lesser extend. |
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