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Systemic Antibiotic Therapy

Please note that systemic antibiotic therapy is NOT indicated for surface or superficial pyoderma.

Topical antimicrobial therapy as the sole antibacterial treatment is the treatment-of-choice for canine superficial bacterial folliculitis and for other presentations of superficial pyoderma.

3 Guidelines to Follow12, 25

Correct Antibiotic

  • Systemic antimicrobial therapy should be reserved for cases that have failed to respond to topical antimicrobial therapy alone or if topical therapy is not feasible due to client or patient limitations
  • Empirical choices may be appropriate if cytology findings support a staphylococcal infection and if there is a low suspicion for MRS based on clinical, historical and geographical information

Correct Dose

  • Cephalexin 22-25mg/kg PO q12h
  • Amoxicillin clavulanic acid 12.5mg/kg PO q12h
  • Clindamycin 11mg/kg PO q12h
  • Lincomycin 22mg/kg PO q12h

Correct Duration

  • Recommend 1–2-week course, then clinical and cytological recheck
  • There is no evidence to support extending systemic antimicrobial therapy beyond the resolution of clinical signs associated with infection; instead, underlying primary causes must be identified and addressed.

The International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Disease (ISCAID) has published updated guidelines on the antimicrobial use for canine pyoderma and provides clear advice on systemic antibiotic therapy (reference 25 accessible here).

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), in partnership with the University of Calgary and Firstline Clinical™, has launched the CVMA Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use (AMU). This innovative tool helps Canadian veterinarians make evidence-based prescribing decisions by providing access to species-specific antimicrobial options at the point of care via their mobile devices.
Visit the link to access the QR code for downloading the application and to explore the latest antimicrobial stewardship guidance. https://savi.canadianveterinarians.net/en/firstline