Hi Guys

Our GSD Gemma (631) has developed some scabs on her elbows and around the base of her tail - especially on her back, just above her tail.

Our local vet says she has 'pyoderma'. My wife (Belinda) and I are trying to find the best treatment.

Our vet says she (Gemma, not Belinda) will need to be put onto steriods to clear it, but he has given us a medicated wash called Triocil - antiseptic and fungicidal. We have trimmed a lot of fur away from the sites.

Gemma is quite relaxed about the scabs, but she gets very 'concerned' whenever anyone them.

Evie, a Huntaway Cross rescued from the SPCA, regularly gives her elbows a good licking.

Does anyone have any suggestions they can offer? or should we simply get Gemma onto steriods as soon as possible?

Cheers
Tony & Belinda
Gemma #631
and Evie

Hi Tony, nice to hear from you. Steroids can be a good thing so not always bad, short term use to clear something up is of no harm to the dog, it is the long term use that can cause issues and vets monitor liver functions. We have a couple of dogs who are in rescue that have had horrendous skin issues which there was no alternative, effective treatment, other than the steroids. In those cases it has given the dogs almost instant relief and cleared them. One of the dogs has had to be on a low dose, maintenance only dose, for several months, which we have monitored with blood tests and liver function tests showing all systems are normal. The use of steroids seems to put some people in panic mode, but as I said used short term to clear up something nothing else will sort out as quickly does not promote any issues. Because Pyoderma can cause the skin to become necrotic and develop bigger issues to deal with - infection (which is like impetigo on humans)you really don't want to delay effective treatment. I assume that antibiotics have also been prescribed as the primary cause is usually a staph infection.