Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles. This condition is caused by bacteria or yeast entering the follicle, but it can also indicate an underlying disorder in the dog's immune system or a skin disorder. Dogs with folliculitis need to be diagnosed and treated. Proper diagnosis allows you to determine the appropriate treatment. Treatment is usually done in three ways: treating the skin directly, treating the infection internally, and finding the underlying disorder that caused the infection in the first place.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting a Diagnosis
Step 1. Identify the symptoms of folliculitis
To be able to get a diagnosis of folliculitis, you need to recognize the symptoms. When looking at a dog's skin, keep the following in mind:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itchy rash
- Pimple
- Hair loss
Step 2. Take the dog to the vet
If you think your dog has folliculitis, you should take him to the vet. He will ask the dog's symptoms and development time. The doctor will perform a general examination of the dog and check for areas of infection.
- In most cases, your vet will be able to give an initial diagnosis of folliculitis just by looking at the dog's skin. Folliculitis is one of the most common infections of the dog's skin that veterinarians have seen it many times.
- Folliculitis can have a variety of causes, so your vet will run some additional tests to determine the cause of your dog's folliculitis and choose the best treatment.
Step 3. Get skin scraping or skin cytology
To look for mites, the doctor will do skin scraping. This type of test is done simply by taking a sample of skin or hair and examining it under a microscope.
Skin cytology also involves examining a skin sample using a microscope; however, unlike skin scraping, skin cytology is performed by identifying bacterial infections
Step 4. Obtain a fungal or bacterial culture
Your veterinarian may recommend a culture to determine the exact nature of the infection. This step is important for chronic infections or infections that have not responded to previous attempts at treatments.
Bacterial culture testing can be quite expensive and is usually only done to ensure successful treatment
Part 2 of 3: Getting Doctor's Care
Step 1. Use an antimicrobial shampoo
If your dog has folliculitis, you will need to apply medication to the skin to get rid of the infection. This drug will kill organisms and clean dirt from the surface of the skin. This medication is usually an antimicrobial shampoo that is applied to the dog's coat.
- This type of shampoo is usually left on the skin for 10 minutes before rinsing so that its properties are effective.
- The vet will tell you how often to shampoo. Usually, this type of treatment needs to be done for several weeks before the condition improves.
Step 2. Use a topical antibacterial medication
If the dog's infection is still local and has not spread too much, the doctor will usually prescribe only a topical medication. If the infection is severe enough to cover the dog's skin, the doctor will also prescribe a medicated shampoo along with the topical medication.
- Topical medications are available as lotions, sprays, gels, creams, or ointments.
- Follow your veterinarian's guidelines for when and how often to administer medication.
- You may need to place a mouthpiece around the dog's neck so that the treatment site is not licked or bitten
Step 3. Give the dog systemic therapy
If the infection is severe enough, the dog will also need to be given oral antibiotics to complement his skin care. Antibiotics are usually given for 3-6 weeks, depending on how long symptoms persist.
- Antibiotics are usually given for up to a week after symptoms disappear. This ensures that the infection is completely removed.
- Discuss oral antibiotic options with your veterinarian. Most veterinarians will try not to prescribe too many antibiotics to prevent the development of resistance to antibiotics. If the infection is fairly mild, the dog will not need oral antibiotics.
Step 4. Initiate treatment for the underlying disorder
Dog folliculitis can result from an underlying health condition. This condition can be a tick attack, or a more complex condition, such as a food allergy or autoimmune disorder. This underlying disorder needs to be addressed or ruled out so that the infection does not return in the future.
Treatment for underlying disorders of the immune system or skin will vary depending on the problem in the dog
Part 3 of 3: Trying Natural Medicines
Step 1. Consult a veterinarian first
Even if you're tempted to try home or "natural" remedies before taking your dog to the vet, it's important to get your vet's approval before trying any treatment. "Natural" doesn't necessarily mean "safe," and there's a good chance you may actually make the dog's condition worse. Trust that veterinarians put dog safety first. Don't risk your dog's health.
This is especially important if the dog has an underlying health condition. If folliculitis is treated without addressing the underlying cause, the disease will recur and the dog's condition may continue to worsen without proper treatment
Step 2. Apply natural topical treatments
There are several natural products that can be used to relieve the symptoms of folliculitis in dogs. This medication is applied to the skin and is effective at relieving skin irritation. Natural topical remedies that can help treat folliculitis symptoms include:
- Tea: Tea is a relaxing compound that can help reduce itching. You can place a wet tea bag directly on your skin and hold it for a few minutes. The best time to wear it is when brushing or soothing the dog.
- Witch hazel: This plant is an astringent that can be applied thinly to the skin to protect it. However, be aware that witch hazel needs to be prepared with alcohol and infected skin can become irritated or sore if used too much.
- Coconut oil: This oil can be applied directly to irritated skin to relieve it. Don't let your dog lick or eat the oil, as the fat can cause diarrhea or even pancreatitis.
Step 3. Include supplements in the dog's diet
Good nutrition is the key to a healthy, happy dog. Therefore, give supplements that can improve the dog's condition according to the dose; this is important if the dog's condition is caused by allergies. A dog's nutrition can be improved by adding the following supplements to his diet:
- Probiotics: These supplements can increase the number of good bacteria in your dog's digestive system. This helps the immune system by reducing the burden on the digestive system so that it can fight infections in all parts of the body. Although there is no evidence that probiotics will improve a dog's skin condition, taking this supplement does not cause any negative effects.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Increase your dog's consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, which are usually given in the form of fish oil. This supplement increases the dog's natural anti-inflammatory capacity.
