The Facts

• Staph bacteria causes a wide array of infections. One such staph-initiated infection is canine pyoderma. Pyoderma occurs in dogs that have compromised immune systems, and in areas that are moist and protected.
  
  

Location

• Pyoderma spots usually flare up on a dog's trunk and chin. Dogs that are heavily wrinkled, like bulldogs and boxers, may contract skin-fold pyoderma, or pyoderma spots in their wrinkles.
  
  

Symptoms

• Pyoderma causes yellow pustules on a dog's skin, which may be itchy or crusty. In advanced stages the disease can cause a dog's hair to fall out.
  
  

Treatment

• Skin-fold pyoderma is treated with antibacterial washes and ointments. Owners are taught to clean the affected area in the dog's wrinkles and spread the ointment on any pyoderma spots.
  
  

Considerations

• Although skin-fold pyoderma is unattractive in canines, it is not fatal, nor is it contagious to humans or animals other than dogs.