What is the best antibiotic for dogs with skin infections

Skin Infections in Dogs

What Are Skin Infections in Dogs?

Skin infections are conditions that are caused by infectious organisms such as bacteria, fungi, or parasites. All areas of skin can be affected, including inside the ears and nose, as well as the hair and nails.

The severity of the disease depends on the type of infection and can vary from very mild to painful and itchy. Some organisms that cause skin infections are transmissible (or contagious), which means the infection can be passed to another mammal through direct contact or the environment. There are also infections that are caused by organisms that normally live on the skin and are not considered contagious.

Types of Skin Infections in Dogs

• Bacterial

• Fungal

• Parasitic

• Viral

Symptoms of Skin Infections in Dogs

• Redness

• Bumps or raised areas of the skin

• Itchiness (you may see your dog scratching, licking, and/or chewing the skin)

• Scales or flakes

• Crusts or scabs

• Hair loss (alopecia)

• Oozing or discharge (blood, pus, clear)

• Skin color changes (darker or lighter)

Causes of Skin Infections in Dogs

There are many causes of skin infections in dogs. Some infections are primary infectionsan infection directly caused by an infectious organism. Other infections are secondary infections and occur because of an underlying disease process that triggers an infection.

Primary Infection

Scabies is an example of a primary parasitic skin infection. Dogs acquire scabies by direct contact with an infected animal. The scabies mite then causes the clinical signs associated with the disease. Ringworm is an example of a primary fungal infection and is acquired due to contact with infected individuals or an infected environment, including soil.

Secondary Infection

A common example of a secondary skin infection is one due to skin allergies. The allergies cause inflammation of the skin, which then provides an environment favorable to organism growth. Bacteria or fungi that normally live on the skin are then able to multiply, leading to a bacterial or fungal skin infection.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Skin Infections in Dogs

There are several basic skin tests that are useful in diagnosing a majority of skin infections. The most common ones are:

• Skin scrapes: A dull scalpel blade is used to scrape the top layer of the skin; effective for finding skin parasites like demodex.

• Skin cytology: A sample is collected by pressing a microscope slide directly to the skin lesion or via a needle and syringe and then looked at under the microscope for bacteria, fungi, or abnormal skin cells.

• Tape preps: Clear tape is used to collect a sample of hair or skin to find bacteria, fungi, or parasites when viewed under the microscope.

• Cotton swabs: A cotton swab is used to collect a sample, most often from inside the ear, to diagnose bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections.

• Cultures: A sample of skin, hair, or discharge is collected onto a growth plate to look for bacterial or fungal growth over time. This test can also be used to learn which antimicrobial medication is best to treat the infection.

Treatment of Skin Infections in Dogs

The treatment of a skin infection depends on the type of infection, the location of the infection, and the condition of the dog. Bacterial skin infections are treated with oral (by mouth) antibiotics, and/or topical products such as medicated shampoos, conditioners, sprays, and ointments. Common products include:

Fungal infections are treated similarly, with antifungal medications, and parasites are treated with antiparasitic medications.

To help the skin heal and to prevent future infections, other treatments are used to support healthy skin. For example, when treating an ear infection, special ear cleaners are used in addition to the antimicrobial medication. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is another treatment used to help resolve and prevent infections. Prevention is often the best medicine and regular bathing and grooming can be helpful for not only treating skin infections but also preventing them from occurring in the first place.

For secondary skin infections, it is important to treat the primary cause of the secondary infection. Skin allergies, for example, frequently require medications to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions. Treating a skin infection without treating the allergy will likely lead to another infection. Food allergies require special diets to reduce skin inflammation. If a food allergy is suspected, your vet will work with you to determine an appropriate food trial,to slowly remove certain ingredients and introduce possible allergies to determine the culprit.

Recovery and Management of Skin Infections in Dogs

The time it takes to treat a skin infection depends on the type of infection, the ability to treat primary causes of the infection, and the severity of disease. Sometimes the most difficult part of the treatment is sticking with treatments for as long as needed.

Some skin infections can be difficult to treat because of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance occurs over time, when microbes develop defenses against our medications, making those medications ineffective. In those cases, treatment can take longer and may require further testing.

Infections can resurface, especially if the primary cause of the infection has not been treated or resolved. Dogs with chronic conditions such as allergies or other diseases are more likely to have repeat infections.

Managing skin infections successfully can be complicated, time consuming, and expensive. Following your veterinarians recommendations closely and being patient during the treatment period is important for resolving the infection and preventing recurrence in your pup.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Sergeeva

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Rania Gollakner

Veterinarian

Rania Gollakner received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2010 and a Master of Public Health in 2017. She practiced companion...

Treating Resistant Skin Infections in Dogs

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Natural Antibiotic For Dogs (8 Effective Home Remedies)

Key Takeaways

• Some of the most effective natural antibiotic for dogs include oregano oil, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil.
• If your dog is diabetic, has allergic reactions, taking certain medication, or is having a more serious infection, avoid giving natural antibiotic.
• If in doubt, seek veterinary advice to find out the specific needs of your dog.

Despite common belief among pet owners, prescription antibiotics arent the only way to treat infections in dogs. I myself am a big fan of natural antibiotic for dogs which are actually a really great alternative to prescription antibiotics. Have you heard of them?

Do you know the best natural antibiotics for your pup? The best alternative antibiotics for your dog that I recommend is definitely oregano oil, but there are also many more great natural remedies for infection including apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and manuka honey. When it comes to natural antibiotics for dogs, here is everything pet parents need to know.

What Are Natural Antibiotics For Dogs?

Put simply, natural antibiotics are excellent alternatives to prescription antibiotics. These alternative antibiotics are often recommended for infections and conditions that arent too serious.

Before giving your pup alternative antibiotics, you may want to talk with a vet. A vet may be able to recommend the right alternative antibiotics for your pup.

The Best Natural Antibiotics For Dogs

Many pet owners want to know the best alternative antibiotics for canines. The following are some of the top alternative antibiotics for dogs.

Oregano Oil

One of the best natural antibiotics for dogs is oregano oil. Other essential oils can actually be toxic to dogs, but oregano oil is one thats really beneficial. Since its a great source of thymol and carvacrol, this oil has been shown to successfully treat bacterial, parasitic, viral, and fungal infections. This oil can also promote optimal oral health among dogs. The reason why this natural antibiotic works is because it can effectively get rid of the harmful bacteria in your canine friends body.

If you want to use this oil, you can place a couple of drops in your dogs water bowl, apply it topically on an affected area of your dogs body, or add it to toothpaste for dogs. For anyone who is thinking about using the herb, its better to use the oil as it isnt too strong.

Apple Cider Vinegar

The second best natural antibiotic for dogs is apple cider vinegar. The product is most known for its extremely potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties. As a result, this great natural antibiotic can successfully heal dog ear infection, skin infections, gut inflammation, and wounds.

The most effective way to use apple cider vinegar is to place it in your canine friends water bowl. This also helps alleviate urinary tract infections (UTI). If you notice that your best pal doesnt like the taste of apple cider vinegar, you can mix it in plain yogurt. When you combine apple cider vinegar with plain yogurt, theres a really good chance that your dog wont even be able to taste this natural antibiotic.

If you are using this natural antibiotic to heal your dogs ear infection, you should gently flush your best pals ear with an apple cider vinegar and water solution. When you use this mixture to flush your best pals ear, youll be getting rid of harmful bacteria. Of course, youll also be getting rid of the ear infections.

Coconut Oil

Many studies suggest that coconut oil is also a great natural antibiotic. When you purchase coconut oil at the grocery store, youre actually buying a natural antibiotic with lots of antifungal and antibiotic properties. With that being said, this natural antibiotic can improve certain skin conditions, digestive problems, treat wounds, and infections (See our article: Dog Tooth Infection Home Treatment).

A great way to use this alternative antibiotic is to place a small amount in your pups dog food. If your canine pal is suffering from a skin condition, you can massage some coconut oil directly on the affected area. The alternative antibiotic has been shown to heal skin conditions such as hot spots, dry skin, rashes, and many more.

Not only will you appreciate that this alternative antibiotic treats an extensive array of conditions, youll also love that coconut oil smells really great.

Manuka Honey

Over the past several years, honey has been used as an alternative antibiotic by a wide variety of people around the world [1]. Often referred to as an excellent superfood because of its many health benefits, manuka honey is great for improving your best pals itchy throat, teeth, asthma, wounds, stomach problems, inflammation, and allergies. Thanks to its antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, this natural antibiotic is the preferred choice among many pet owners.

Since this alternative antibiotic has a sweet taste, you really shouldnt have any problems serving manuka honey to your dog. Most canines actually love eating manuka honey, so you can even give it to your best pal as a yummy treat. If your canine pal is diabetic, you may want to talk with a vet about giving it this natural antibiotic orally.

To treat a skin condition with this natural antibiotic, all you have to do is apply manuka honey to your best pals affected areas.

Olive Leaf Extract

According to much research, olive leaf extract has been shown to be an excellent natural antibiotic for pups. If youre wondering why this product works, just take a look at its incredible antibacterial, antimicrobial antiviral, and antifungal properties. Because olive oil extract has many great antibiotic properties, the product can successfully treat bacterial infections, certain skin conditions, inflammation, high blood pressure, flu, and much more.

If you would like to give natural canine antibiotics like olive oil extract a try, simply mix it into your dogs food. You can also apply this as a natural topical antibiotic to your best pals affected areas.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a wonderful natural antibiotic for pups too. Boasting several really great properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, this excellent natural antibiotic can benefit your best pal in many ways. For starters, turmeric can drastically improve your best pals immune system. The natural antibiotic can also play a major role in getting rid of infections, healing wounds, relieving arthritis pain, supporting the gastrointestinal system, and treating liver disease.

Similar to many of the previously discussed natural antibiotics, turmeric can be mixed with your dogs food. Turmeric is also available as a supplement, making it even easier to give your dog this antibiotic. You can find these turmeric supplements at major pet stores and online.

Do you want to use turmeric to treat your dogs skin condition? You should mix turmeric with aloe vera, and then rub the mixture on your best pals affected skin.

When using turmeric as an antibiotic, you shouldnt give your dog too much. If your dog consumes too much turmeric, it may experience severe stomach problems.

Calendula

Also known as pot marigolds, calendulas are beautiful flowers that youve probably seen outside. Aside from being really pretty, calendulas also have many incredible healing benefits for pups. With great anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, natural antibiotics like calendulas can significantly improve your pups severe discomfort, wounds, and skin infections.

The easiest way to use calendulas as excellent alternative antibiotics is to combine some dried herbs into your best pals food. You can also create a lotion. The mixture should include key ingredients such as table salt, water, and calendula tincture. After creating this mixture, place the lotion on a cloth, and then carefully dab it on your canine friends wound.

Yarrow

While yarrow isnt a common alternative antibiotic for dogs, it actually contains some incredible antibacterial properties. This excellent alternative antibiotic can treat a condition known asstaphylococcus. In addition, this great alternative antibiotic can heal wounds, inflamed skin, and even severe burns.

Do you want to use yarrow as an alternative antibiotic? If so, youll need to create yarrow tea. After boiling a pot of water, throw in some yarrow. Let the mixture steep for about five minutes. As soon as the mixture cools, pour some of it onto a cloth and then use it to treat your dogs skin conditions.

When Should You Avoid Giving Your Pup Alternative Probiotics?

• If your dog is diabetic
• If your pup had a bad reaction to alternative probiotics
• If your canine friend is taking certain medication
• If your pup has a severe condition or infection

As a general rule, you should talk with a vet before giving alternative probiotics to your pup. By doing so, youll protect your pup from severe complications.

Related article: How To Stop Dog Nail Bleeding

FAQ

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for dogs?

Many experts would say that the strongest natural antibiotic for dogs is oregano oil. A safe alternative antibiotic for pups, this oil has been shown to successfully treat viral infections, bacterial infections, colds, parasites, and much more. If you want, you can also use this oil to significantly improve your pups oral health.

According to many experts and pet owners, olive leaf extract and apple cider vinegar are tied for the second strongest alternative antibiotics for pups. You can talk with a vet to get more recommendation regarding the strongest alternative antibiotics for your dog.

How can I treat my dogs bacterial infection naturally?

Pet owners have many options for treating their dogs bacterial infection naturally. The top natural antibiotics for effectively treating a dogs bacterial infection include manuka honey, turmeric, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.

If you want an extremely easy way to treat your best pals bacterial infection, consider giving it turmeric supplements.

What can I give my dog for bacterial infection?

If your dog is suffering from a bacterial infection, the best thing that you do is give it natural antibiotics such as oregano oil. Much research has shown that oregano oil is one of the most effective natural antibiotics.

In order to get rid of your dogs bacterial infection as soon as possible, place one to two drops of this potent oil into your dogs water bowl.

If you want to drastically improve your best pals oral health, brush its teeth with toothpaste and oregano oil.

Once you give your dog this oil, you may even notice that your dogs immune system is improving.

How can I get antibiotics for my dog without going to the vet?

If you want antibiotics for your pup, you should first ask yourself if natural antibiotics are okay. A great benefit of natural antibiotics is that you can get them from the local grocery in most cases.

A few natural antibiotics such as turmeric supplements are also available over the counter at major pet stores and even online pet stores. There are also several over the counter antibiotics available too. You can call a vet to get great over the counter antibiotics recommendations.