title: The role of pyoderma in pruritus.
abstract: In the approach to the pruritic patient, it is important to first determine if a pyoderma is present. A thorough investigation of the integument should be undertaken during the physical examination. There are a wide variety of clinical appearances of pyodermas, so the clinician should recognize the lesions that are suggestive of infection (epidermal collarettes, draining tracts, and so on). When infection is present, it is necessary to direct therapy at the pyoderma and then re-evaluate the patient. Any animal that presents with a pruritic pyoderma deserves proper therapy directed at the infection before the clinician can assess the role that the pyoderma is contributing to the pruritus. Rational therapy in these cases requires that one determine the cause of the itch rather than merely masking the symptom of pruritus.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University Veterinary Hospital, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*