The do’s and don’ts of treating pyoderma – new guidelines for general practitioners
21 Nov 2025
RVC Clinical Theatre 3
Dermatology
This session will summarise key points from the recently published antimicrobial use guidelines for canine pyoderma. It will provide clinicians with top tips on correct diagnosis of bacterial skin infection in dogs and on how to achieve best treatment outcomes for dogs with pyoderma while practicing responsible antimicrobial stewardship at a time when antimicrobial resistance presents a major threat to animal and human health.
- Recognise surface, superficial, and deep forms of canine pyoderma based on clinical presentation.
- Apply and incorporate cytological examination as a routine diagnostic tool prior to antimicrobial use.
- Select appropriate antimicrobial treatment options, prioritising topical antimicrobials for surface and superficial pyodermas, and reserving systemic antimicrobials for only deep or some very few cases of superficial pyoderma.
- Identify when culture and susceptibility is needed to guide rational antimicrobial selection, particularly in cases of deep pyoderma and those involving meticillin-resistant staphylococci.
- Provide a comprehensive management plan for dogs with pyoderma, considering identifying and addressing primary underlying causes to prevent recurrence.
Chairperson
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