Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Life-threatening skin infection in a 5-year-old dog
By Vasil Boyanov et al.·Published in Open Veterinary Journal·2026·Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria, LY·View original on DOAJ →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Microbiological and clinical aspects of complicated canine pyoderma: A case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old dog developed serious skin lesions that worsened into a life-threatening condition known as pyoderma, caused by bacteria. Initial treatments with steroids, anti-parasitic medications, and antibiotics didn't work, and tests later revealed a resistant strain of bacteria that contributed to the infection. Unfortunately, the dog passed away about two months after the first signs appeared, highlighting the difficulties in treating complex skin infections in dogs. This case shows the importance of proper antibiotic testing and the risks of using certain medications when the cause of skin issues is unclear.
People also search for: dog skin infection treatment · why is my dog losing fur · resistant bacteria in dogs · pyoderma in dogs symptoms · dog antibiotics for skin problems
Abstract
Background: Pyoderma is a common dermatological condition in dogs caused by various bacteria that are typically part of the normal microbiota. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Proteus mirabilis are opportunistic pathogens frequently encountered in canines, producing multiple virulence factors with the potential to cause life-threatening infections. Case description: We report the case of a 5-year-old dog that presented with skin lesions that generalized to a life-threatening condition. The initial treatment with corticosteroids, anti-parasitic medications, and antibiotics was ineffective. P. mirabilis was isolated as a sole agent and treated according to the antibiogram with no effect. In subsequent microbiological testing, methicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. pseudintermedius was identified as a coagent using mass spectrometry. The dog died a little over two months after the first symptoms with clinical signs of septic shock. This case demonstrates the severe complications caused by canine pyoderma and the challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of a mixed enterobacterial/staphylococcal infection. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of evaluating antibiotic susceptibility and the necessity for repeated microbiological sampling when the patient's condition worsens, despite the results presented. Conclusion: The empirical administration of corticosteroids and beta-lactams is inappropriate in skin lesions with unclear etiology because corticosteroids may enhance the progression of the infection, whereas beta-lactams are inactive in canine staphylococci in most cases. [Open Vet. J. 2026; 16(1.000): 739-746]
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.70