[107barney]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Nice answer!

My question was "Why does pyoderma recur in some dogs?" and this was the answer:

Pyoderma can be caused by a number of things and just means that there is bacterial infection on the skin. The most common cause is contact or food allergies followed by an opportunistic infection by the bacteria. Oftentimes the treatment includes steroids and antibiotics and while this does tend to clear up the infection, it does not address the cause and a workup for the underlying cause should be performed if it is recurring. If it is happening seasonally, it is likely due to contact allergies, similarly, if there was recently a diet change, it is i likely food allergies. Hormonal changes such as Cushing's or Hypothyroidism can also cause skin conditions which can lead to pyoderma as can autoimmune disorders. A dermatology consult might be of benefit to find the root cause in your case as they specialize in this sort of thing and while the upfront costs can be expensive, it tends to be cheaper in the long run. Good Luck!

Love the immediate referral to a derm!