VetOnIt clinical notes
Pyoderma and the allergic dog: what topical therapy is for
Dr. Jason Pieper on topical therapy in allergic dogs: barrier repair, staphylococcal overgrowth, and why routine topical antimicrobials deserve caution.
Updated · VetOnIt
Why atopic skin gets infected
Dogs with atopic dermatitis show marked overgrowth of staphylococci in the skin microbiome compared with healthy controls. [1]
Skin lipids have antimicrobial activity, so a deficient barrier predisposes allergic skin to infection as well as allergen penetration. [1]
What topical therapy is for
Topical therapy such as shampoos, sprays, mousses and topical fatty acids is used to rebuild the defective skin barrier and help prevent overgrowth. [1]
Routine topical antimicrobials such as chlorhexidine deserve caution, because frequent use affects the microbiome and may contribute to resistance over time. [1]
Related lectures
On-demand lecture
Everyday Dermatology: Practical Approaches to Feline Pruritus, Canine Atopy, Otitis & Pyoderma
View on-demand lecture →References
- Dr. Jason Pieper: Everyday Dermatology, Practical Approaches (lecture recording, Nov 15 2025) VetOnIt lecture transcriptLecture source retained by VetOnIt.