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Guide to Treating Dog Bacterial Infections

Treating Bacterial Skin Infections in Dogs

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM

Skin infections are relatively common in dogs, especially among those who spend a lot of time roughhousing outdoors or have underlying allergic diseases. When your dog gets cut or scratched, they create an opportunity for a bacterial infection. This can be from bacteria that normally live on their skin and coat or from bacteria in the environment. Chronic skin conditions can also lead to bacterial infections. And just like with humans, infections may come with painful symptoms and, if left untreated, lead to severe illness. 

Taking care of your dog’s skin is an important contributor to their overall health. Read on to learn more about common causes of bacterial skin infections in dogs, how to recognize this type of infection and the medications used to treat dog skin infection. 

What causes bacterial infections in dogs

Most of the time, your dog’s bacterial skin infection will result from a main health issue like fleas, ticks, allergies, chronic skin conditions, infrequent grooming, a wound gathering bacteria or hypothyroidism. If there isn’t an obvious cause that you and your vet are aware of, they may perform skin scrapings or collect cultures to determine the exact cause.

The medical term for skin infections in dogs is pyoderma. This broad term refers to infections originating from fungal or bacterial organisms. There are many reasons your pup might have a bacterial infection, most leading back to broken skin. When your dog is bitten by an insect, scrapes themselves while playing or gets into an altercation, for example, their wound can become vulnerable. 

To make matters worse, many dogs who have a wound or bite on their skin will chew at it or scratch it to help ease their discomfort. These natural responses may exacerbate the size of the injury and further upset the balance of good vs. bad bacteria, possibly leading to a fungal and/or bacterial infection in the dog’s skin. 

Dogs are also susceptible to skin infections if they have chronic skin conditions or underlying allergic disease. If your pooch experiences regular hair loss or red skin, be on the lookout for infections. Basically, any time your dog has broken skin, there is an opportunity for bacteria, fungus and other organisms to creep in. 

Types of bacterial skin infections in dogs

Bacterial infections can affect dogs differently depending on the type of infection that forms. Many veterinarians distinguish varieties of bacterial infections based on how deep they penetrate the skin of your pup. Here are three common categories of bacterial skin infections—or pyodermas.

  • Surface pyoderma If your dog has this type of infection, the bacteria has not spread beyond the surface of the skin. While you may notice inflammation, more serious symptoms may not arise. Surface pyodermas include skin fold pyodermas, which often occur in dogs with face wrinkles, and hot spots known medically as pyotraumatic pyoderma.
  • Superficial pyodermas These bacterial skin infections can penetrate the stratum corneum layer of the skin. A superficial pyoderma may appear as impetigo—an infection of the hair follicles—or bacterial overgrowth syndrome. Bacterial folliculitis is one of the most common superficial pyodermas found in dogs. 
  • Deep pyodermas The deepest bacterial infections in dogs’ skin are thankfully also the least common. These infections are usually severe and can affect the deep tissues. If your pup does develop a deep pyoderma, they can experience symptoms ranging from painful abscesses to chin acne to the rupture of infected hair follicles. Deep pyodermas can also progress to blood-borne infections and become medical emergencies.

Your dog’s bacterial skin infection can originate from a few different sources. While only a veterinarian can diagnose which bacteria is the culprit for your pet’s problems, here are some of the most common ones that can cause infections in dogs.

  • Staphylococcus pseudintermedius While this type of bacterium is most commonly found in pets, it can be passed to humans and cause severe infections in both. It’s most often found on the skin, mouth, nose and in the stomach of dogs and is relatively harmless until your pet gets sick, at which point it can take advantage of their weakened immune system. It typically causes skin and ear infections and is the most common cause of pyodermas in dogs.
  • Coagulase-negative staphylococci Less common than staphylococcus pseudintermedius, this group of bacteria is also found on the skin and is usually harmless. However, it can cause more serious infections due to its inability to form coagulase, an enzyme that assists in blood clotting. It can infect the bloodstream as well as skin tissue and can be more resistant to methicillin treatments.
  • Streptococcus Due to their less developed immune systems, puppies and older dogs are more susceptible to this bacterium. It is most commonly contracted when it comes into contact with a dog’s wound or surgical incision and can cause pain, fever, coughing, lethargy, pneumonia and abscesses. Common treatments include antibiotics and rehydration. 
  • Acinetobacter Unlike other bacteria that form naturally on the skin, nose or mouth, Acinetobacter is usually found in soil and water. It can spread very quickly through contact, live for long periods on surfaces, and is notoriously resistant to multiple kinds of antibiotics in some cases.

Symptoms of bacterial skin infections 

Typical symptoms of bacterial skin infections in dogs include red skin, inflammation, chewing behavior and itchiness. You may also notice hair loss or crusted skin. In more severe infections, your dog may experience lethargy and fever. Left untreated, a bacterial infection can also affect other areas of the body. Certain bacteria can cause kidney inflammation or other internal symptoms. 

To properly diagnose your dog, your vet may deploy several—typically noninvasive—tests. These can include tape samples of a skin lesion, an impression smear, skin scrapings for mites, fungal cultures, a Wood’s lamp examination or bacterial culture. In more rare cases, your veterinarian may also want to conduct hormone testing or perform blood work. Combined with a visual assessment of the infected area, your vet can make an informed opinion about the most appropriate path forward. 

How can I treat my dog’s skin infection?

Always consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has a skin infection, even though many treatments for bacterial infections can be done at home. Many ointments and medications require a prescription from your veterinarian. If your dog’s skin condition results from another underlying condition, they may need additional medication or testing. 

Common dog skin infection treatment options include:

  • Thorough cleaning of the infected area Using antibacterial solutions and water to clean the infected skin is typically the first step to beating a bacterial infection. As you gently wash your dog with antibacterial shampoo and warm water, pay close attention to broken skin or obvious disease areas. For crusted skin, you may need to soak the area for a few minutes, if you can get your dog to cooperate. 
  • Topical treatments Consult your veterinarian about which topical treatment to use. They can make a recommendation based on the type of skin infection you’re trying to resolve. Your dog may be given something with 2% to 4% chlorhexidine to help treat common infections, including staph. Topical treatments include shampoos, sprays or oils. 
  • Antibiotic regimens For more serious infections, a round of antibiotics may be appropriate. The best antibiotic for a dog skin infection will be prescribed based on the bacteria in question and will need to be administered orally, topically or through injections for a few weeks. 
  • Anti-fungal treatments Even if your dog has a bacterial infection—and not a fungal infection—your veterinarian may still suggest an anti-fungal solution. This can happen when there is too much yeast in the infected area. 

Other at-home treatments

There are some at-home treatments for dogs with bacterial skin infections that may not kill the bacteria but can make your pup feel better. 

Your vet may also approve other anti-itch remedies so long as they don’t interfere with prescribed medication. Ask about oatmeal baths and other soothing skin support products. 

Pet prescriptions available to order at Petco

Preventing bacterial skin infections in dogs

The easiest way to handle dog skin infections is to prevent them from occurring. While you can’t avoid all contact with undesirable bacteria, you can take some proactive steps. 

  • Clean skin folds daily. Dogs with wrinkly faces are more prone to bacterial skin infections. Use a warm, clean washcloth to clean between their skin folds at the end of each day. Ensure the area is completely dry after cleaning.
  • Give baths after messy play. Rolling around in the dirt or mud isn’t just bad for your carpet. It can also introduce bacteria into small cuts on your dog’s skin that you don’t even know are there. Giving a bath after every day at the park can help prevent bacterial infections in your dog’s skin. 
  • Manage allergies. Dogs who have skin allergies tend to scratch a lot and can create wounds that are vulnerable to infection. If you can treat the underlying allergy, your dog may experience fewer skin problems in general, including bacterial infections. 
  • Identify underlying conditions. Beyond allergies, your dog may also have underlying skin conditions that are leading to infection. Fleas, tick bites and other irritants are common culprits. Be sure to keep up with your pet’s flea and tick prevention plan. Also treat anything that may cause itchiness so you can limit broken skin on your pup. 

Fast identification of a bacterial infection in your dog’s skin is the simplest way to help prevent a more serious health issue. While a surface-level infection might seem like just an inconvenience, an untreated infection can spread and become more serious. Consult your veterinarian if you think your dog has a skin infection, and prepare for the future by educating yourself on other kinds of infections such as leptospirosis. If you’re looking to establish a lifelong relationship with a vet, explore Petco’s veterinary services options. For more solutions to help keep your dog healthy and happy, check out Petco’s selection of dog vitamins, chews and bones and dog toys.

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