What’s causing the recurrent pyoderma and pruritus?

Given my interest in dermatology a lot of itchy canine and feline individuals are passed in my direction.

They often have a history of recurrent microbial skin infections either in the form of Staphylococcal pyoderma or Malassezia dermatitis, which is treated as and when it occurs.

I’m often surprised to find these individuals are not receiving routine parasite control, even when many of them have been prescribed it (sadly it is not effective while still in the packet), particularly as we do have both lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) and Sarcoptes about in our practice locality.

My tip would be start to look for the underlying cause when these patients keep coming back – starting with Sarcoptes (and I personally prefer the blood test because I rarely find mites on scrapings).