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My puppy has impetigo. How do I treat puppy skin infection at home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Lhasa Apso | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 29 days old | 2.205 lbs

How to treat an impetigo on my puppy?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 2nd, 2017

Impetigo in puppies is also known as puppy pyoderma. It is usually a self-limiting process and will go away without any treatment. To help it go a away a little faster, you can gently clean the area with a dog shampoo that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. I like the DermaPet products, such as DermaPet Benzoyl Peroxide Plus Shampoo and follow the directions on the label. If it starts to spread or doesn't seem better in 3-5 days, you may take Riri to the vet for diagnosis.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 15th, 2017

    If there are some red bumps on his belly with white spots in the middle, then it could be impetigo (aka puppy pyoderma). It's best to get this diagnosed by a veterinarian, because other conditions like mange can be quite similar looking.

    I do not reccomend giving oral antibiotics without a veterinary evaluation first and it's usually not indicated with impetigo.

    Most impetigo cases will clear up with good cleaning, so I reccomend that you get a medicated shampoo from the pet store and wash the area for 15 minutes once a day. This should start to clear up in a week.

    If it gets worse or doesn't start to clear up after a week, then it should definitely be seen by a vet, or it could get much worse without veterinary treatment.

    I hope that helps and Aeb gets better soon.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My 2-month-old puppy is itchy. Can I give her a medicated bath?
Impetigo or puppy pyoderma is not usually very itchy, there could be an underlying cause of the itch and Riri may benefit from a checkup with the vet if it isn't getting better in a few days. If it is only impetigo, it should go away on its own without any treatment as it is not caused by bacteria, only changing hormones as she ages. Yes, she is old enough for a bath. You can use a medicated shampoo for itch from the pet store, lather it into her skin and leave for 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
New Pet
My 11-week puppy has a stomach rash. Is it impetigo or pyoderma?
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about your puppy. It's likely puppy pyoderma, which is a skin infection. Puppies have very sensitive skin, and can be prone to infections. I'd have her seen by a vet in the morning to have this treated. Best of luck.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My puppy has a skin infection. Is it puppy pyoderma? How to treat?
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Thanks for the pictures. It appears as though Sparky may have a bacterial skin infection, or puppy pyoderma. A lot of times puppy pyoderma resolves on it's own. If it gets worse than this I would recommend taking Sparky to the Vet to be evaluated and prescribed oral antibiotics. You can try a medicated shampoo: bath every 2-3 days and allow the lather to sit on the affected skin for 10 mins before rinsing. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27306 I hope this helps and I wish Sparky the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My 10-week-old puppy has red spots. How can I treat them at home?
It looks like he has a mild dermatitis/impetigo. You could try over the counter Vetericyn Spray and see if it resolves. Otherwise, he should be examined by a vet for treatment. He may need an oral antibiotic to treat.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My puppy has impetigo. Will scratching spread the itchiness?
No, the impetigo or puppy pyoderma would not be spread by itching since the pus present is sterile, meaning there is no bacteria present. If Riri is itching in other places and the impetigo is showing up, then she may have a different problem.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
New Pet
My puppy has pyoderma in his armpits. Safe home remedies or vet?
Oatmeal baths and shampoos can soothe irritable skin and tea tree shampoos are naturally antiseptic. If however the area becomes wet or crusty it should be checked by a vet to rule out infections or mites
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has skin bumps on her belly. What safe home remedies can I use?
HI and thanks for posting. Impetigo refers to a skin infectious that is potentially infectious. From the pictures you submitted, I am not seeing any blisters or sores on the skin. I do see comedones, however, which are blackheads or clogged pores. Cleansing wipes or antimicrobial shampoos can help. I like the ones mades by Douxo. However, blisters and sores certainly indicate a skin infection which may need antibiotics from your vet to help with.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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