Bacterial dermatitis, or a skin infection, is often triggered by an underlying disease, such as:
- External parasites
- An endocrine disease
- Allergies against fleas, environmental allergens or food ingredients
It occurs when the skin’s natural defenses break down, allowing an overgrowth of common skin bacteria, such as staphylococci to invade the skin. Other organisms, such as yeast and fungus, can also take advantage of the skin changes and multiply.
Bacterial dermatitis may be generalized or restricted to certain areas as in the case of skin folds, acne or hot spots. While the disease can occur in any dog, certain breeds are more prone to bacterial dermatitis, such as German Shepherds and breeds with skin folds (Pug, SharPei, etc.).
Consult your veterinarian, who will focus on treating the underlying problem and advise you on managing the condition.