Would like to know if anyone has had any positive results with recurring pyoderma.

History: Female GSD, good bloodlines, fed raw diet from weaning. Age: 9 1/2 years
Got first case of pyoderma (deep skin) two years ago, did a course of cephalexin and it cleared up. Would reoccur every six months and would do the antibiotics again. Always gave non-dairy probiotics after course of antibiotics.

Recent reoccurrence is resistant. Had to go to another vet for a second opinion. He prescribed Clavamox and prednisone and will soon start a cyclosporin treatment, also a pain treatment. Treatment so far has helped skin, no more chewing and licking, swelling has gone done and skin is clearing.

This is the difficult part for me: dog is now having to eat Science diet Z/D. I am biting the bullet because I desperately want her to get better. She seems low (but know the pred will do that) but does happily eat the Z/D.

Has anyone had any experience with this and maintained a dog on a raw diet? Made the switch?

I'm glad she appears to be getting better, just hope it will stop reoccurring!

Is there a theory that an underlying food allergy is triggering this? Was there an elimination diet done?

Deep pyoderma can cause lethargy and depression.


Have you made an appointment with a derm vet? This would be my first step asap.

I'm sorry about this; it's misery for the dog (and you). I believe strongly that you need a derm vet.

Let me know if you want some saved material on the topic.

What is causing the infections? Is it secondary to allergies? I guess I would be asking what they think is causing it so you can address that - I agree with Connie on the derma vet. We went that route with our golden and saved a bundle in time, money and stress!

Hi, thanks for the replies. Live on an Island and while we have some excellent vets, the number is limited. Don't think we have a specialized derm vet. This is her 5th vet consultation, so I am getting lots of opinions. With some vets it is the: "well, it is that German Shepherd skin"...

The current vet seems to be willing to try a lot, so we will see. Have a follow up this week.

Have requested a thyroid test and waiting on the results, will also enquire into lupus testing (the scary bit). Don't think the skin is presenting itself as an allergic reaction, and the vet seems to think it is anal fistulas. But, I will also broach the subject of allergies.

I did think it was a chicken allergy and took her off chicken, skin seemed to get better and then got worse again, so am wondering if it is a protein issue.

Ah, when our dogs get old......just like people!

Connie, I will take your offer of saved material, thanks!

OK. Please bump this Sunday night for me if you think of it. THANKS.

This caught my eye...so I am bumping!

Anal fistula syndrome can be really tough in german shepherds.

Hi Maggie. I'm not sure if this is exactly what my GSD had, but it sounds very similar. He would get recurring infections every year. The vet would prescribe antibiotics, he'd get better, next year same thing. I feed 100% raw, give salmon oil, vitamin E, etc. etc. as per Lew Olson. He's got no allergies that I could find.

Anyway, I realized this was almost always happening at some point in the colder months. I didn't have a humidifier in my house and my own skin would get really dry. I installed a whole house humidifier on my furnace last year and he hasn't had the problem again yet.

My guess was that he would itch and scratch because of his dry skin, then some micro-nasties would get in and cause an infection.

A humidifier seems to have solved the issue. *knock on wood*. I also slightly increase his salmon oil in the colder months. All of last winter and so far this winter he is showing no signs of excessive scratching, no skin problems or infections.