Efficacy of staphylococcal bacterin for treatment of canine recurrent pyoderma: an open clinical trial

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of a staphylococcal bacterin used in cows for curative and preventive purposes against staphylococcal mastitis, as a primary treatment to idiopathic pyoderma caused by staphylococci in dogs. Twenty-one dogs with a history of recurrent pyoderma were used in the study. Alopecic, erythematous, pruritic, crusting, malodorous and exudative skin lesions were monitored in the dogs and the lesions were either local or generalized. The lesions were classified as superficial and deep based on the findings of clinical appearance. Staphylococcus intermedius was isolated and identified from each of the dogs' lesions. The staphylococcal bacterin, conventionally used against mastitis in cows, was administered eleven times during a four month period. The response was classified as excellent, good or poor, based on clinical findings. There was a follow-up period of 12 months. Excellent and good responses were classified as successful result. The success rates in superficial and deep pyoderma were 100 % and 81.82 %, respectively. The overall success rate was 90.48 %. In conclusion, administration of the staphylococcal bacterin alone was effective and safe to treat dogs with recurrent staphylococcal pyoderma induced by Staphylococcus intermedius.