Cause:
Most commonly, Staphylococcus (“staph”) bacteria, usually secondary to
other skin disorders such as allergies, demodicosis (mange), endocrine
problems, trauma, foreign bodies, and many others.
Symptoms:
Shorthaired dogs often have patchy hair loss, tufts of hair raised
above the coat surface and/or reddish or brown “staining” of white
hairs.
Longhaired dogs may have
more subtle symptoms, including scaly skin, dull coat, and excessive
shedding. Regardless of coat type, clipping may be necessary to fully
reveal the extent of the disorder.
The underlying skin lesions
include bumps, pimples, crusts, or scales occurring singly, in
clusters, or over large areas; reddened circular hairless areas with or
without darker pigmentation in the center; scaly or crusty skin may
surround the individual lesions in a circular pattern (epidermal
collarettes). The degree of itchiness varies from intense to
non-existent.
Treatment:
Oral antibiotics for three to
four weeks or longer, depending on the response; antibacterial shampoos;
antibacterial ointments or sprays. Because superficial bacterial
folliculitis occurs secondary to other disorders, identification and
concurrent treatment of the underlying cause are essential for
successful resolution.
