![]() The silver in the cream breaks down bacterial biofilms and cell walls, allowing other medications to penetrate the area. We also used silver sulfadiazine cream, which has antibacterial properties. ![]() We bathed the dog three times a week, chlorinating the water to treat the infection. All of the dead skin and tissue started sloughing off. When we first put him in the bath, Peter’s back seemed to get worse very quickly. The tub we use isn’t very fancy it looks like a very tall horse trough – tall enough for a goldendoodle – with a motor that circulates the water. We didn’t want to give Peter more drugs, so we decided to use topical treatments, including a whirlpool bath. But we also needed to increase blood flow to the infected area and treat the infection. We immediately gave him immune-suppressing drugs to stop the drug reaction. Peter had experienced an adverse reaction to the antibiotic. And because of that, the skin and underlying tissue started dying. The dog had developed a vasculitis, where the small blood vessels became so inflamed that there was no blood flow there. The pathologist saw a lot of white blood cells around the blood vessels, a sign of inflammation. We took tissue samples and looked at them through a microscope. But in a week or two, the wound started spreading and ulcerating. Several months later, Peter had another incident – another wound to his back. The emergency service here treated him with an antibiotic and the infection went away. Peter’s troubles started when another dog bit him and the wound got infected. The scabs are impressive, but the fur is growing back and he’s in much better shape than he was a few weeks ago. Today, I'm looking at the gradually healing scabs and scars on the back of a goldendoodle named Peter. But infections in dogs, cats and other critters can be among the most difficult conditions to treat. I’ve treated a cheetah with dental disease, an itchy wallaroo, an alpaca with allergies and an alligator snapping turtle with an obstructed throat. As a veterinary dermatologist, I see my share of unusual cases. ![]() Align image left align image center align image rightĬHAMPAIGN, Ill. ![]()
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