Skin Infections in Dogs
Skin infections in dogs are commonly caused by bacteria or yeast and often happen secondary to allergies, parasites, moisture, or underlying disease. They can affect dogs of any age, but some breeds and dogs with chronic skin problems are more prone to recurring infections.
Prompt veterinary care is recommended
Most dog skin infections are not immediate life-threatening emergencies, but they usually need veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Contact a vet promptly if your dog has rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, draining wounds, fever, lethargy, facial swelling, or skin lesions that are not improving.
Symptoms to Watch For
Itching and scratching
Persistent scratching, licking, chewing, or rubbing is common with bacterial and yeast skin infections.
Red bumps or pustules
Pimples, papules, pustules, or circular crusted lesions can suggest superficial pyoderma.
Crusts, scabs, or flaky skin
Scaling, crusting, and peeling skin are common as the skin barrier becomes inflamed.
Hair loss
Patchy thinning or moth-eaten hair loss often happens around infected follicles.
Odor or greasy skin
A musty smell or oily coat may occur, especially when yeast is also involved.
Moist, painful, or draining areas
Hot spots, skin fold infections, or deep infections can ooze and become painful.
What Causes Skin Infections
In dogs, the term skin infection often refers to pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection. Veterinary sources note that pyoderma is commonly a secondary problem rather than a primary disease, meaning something else has damaged the skin barrier or changed the skin environment enough for infection to take hold. Bacterial infections may be superficial or deep, and yeast overgrowth can occur alongside them.
- Allergies, including atopic dermatitis, flea allergy, and food allergy
- Parasites such as fleas or mites
- Moisture and friction, especially in skin folds, between toes, or around lips
- Hormonal disease such as hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism
- Seborrhea and other disorders that affect normal skin turnover
- Immune suppression, prior skin trauma, excessive licking, or chronic irritation
How It's Diagnosed
Diagnosis starts with a hands-on skin exam and a detailed history about itch, seasonality, parasites, diet, grooming, and previous flare-ups. Cytology is one of the most useful first-line tests because it lets the veterinarian look for bacteria, yeast, and inflammatory cells from the skin surface. Depending on how severe or recurrent the problem is, your vet may recommend additional tests to identify the underlying trigger and guide treatment.
- Physical exam of the skin, ears, paws, and skin folds
- Skin cytology using tape, impression smear, or swab samples
- Skin culture and susceptibility testing for recurrent, deep, or resistant infections
- Skin scraping or parasite testing to rule out mites
- Ringworm testing when lesions could mimic fungal disease
- Bloodwork or endocrine testing if an underlying medical problem is suspected
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on whether the infection is bacterial, yeast-related, superficial, or deep, and whether there is an underlying cause driving recurrence. Veterinary references consistently emphasize that treating the trigger is just as important as treating the infection itself. Superficial infections may improve with topical therapy alone, while deeper or more widespread infections often need prescription medication and follow-up rechecks.
- Topical therapy such as medicated shampoos, mousses, sprays, or wipes recommended by your veterinarian
- Prescription oral medication when the infection is widespread, deep, painful, or not suitable for topical care alone
- Treatment of underlying allergies, parasites, endocrine disease, or skin-fold problems
- Cleaning and drying affected areas, bedding hygiene, and preventing self-trauma from licking or scratching
- Culture-guided treatment when infections are recurrent or not responding as expected
- Surgery in select cases with severe skin folds or other structural problems
Superficial bacterial pyoderma is described by MSD Veterinary Manual as a common condition in dogs and a frequent reason for antimicrobial use in small animal practice.
Many uncomplicated cases need at least several weeks of treatment, and deep infections may require substantially longer care.
Skin infections can affect dogs of any age, though puppy impetigo is seen in young dogs and recurrent infections are common in dogs with chronic allergy or endocrine disease.
Basic care may include an exam, skin cytology, and treatment. Costs can rise significantly if cultures, repeated rechecks, long medication courses, or dermatology referral are needed.
Living with Skin Infections
Frequently Asked Questions
Are skin infections in dogs an emergency?
What does a skin infection look like on a dog?
Can dog skin infections go away on their own?
Are skin infections contagious to other pets or people?
Why does my dog keep getting skin infections?
How long does treatment take?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.