Acne is a common bane of many teenagers’ lives but did you know that dogs can get it too? Although the causes are different, the appearance can be very similar. So what is canine acne and how do you treat it?
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What is canine acne?
The technical name for canine acne is muzzle folliculitis or furunculosis. Similar to in people, it is an inflammatory condition of the skin and the hair follicles that appears on and around the muzzle. The actual cause is still unclear. In humans, it tends to strike around puberty when a surge in hormones causes excess sebum production in the skin which can lead to clogged pores and the classic red pimples or whiteheads.
In dogs, many factors have been blamed, from genetics to underlying skin conditions. Breeds that appear to be more predisposed to canine acne include short haired breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Weimaraners, Boxers and Rottweilers. Any underlying skin issue such as allergies or parasites can cause itching which means the skin becomes damaged. This or any other trauma will cause the hairs to break off leaving a short stump within the hair follicle which will then become inflamed and prone to rupture within the skin. This creates the raised red lesions typical of the condition. Secondary infection is common due to the break in the skin barrier which can cause bacteria to enter and create pustules.
Canine acne is most commonly seen in young dogs, under the age of 12 months, possibly because they are more inquisitive and tend to put their nose in anything! But this age is also known as their ‘teenage years’ – so hormones may also potentially play a part.
How is canine acne diagnosed?
Typically, canine acne is diagnosed by its characteristic appearance. Sometimes, if an infection is present, your vet may take swab samples to target the problematic bacteria. If there are suspicions of an underlying condition, they may look to take skin scapes to look for parasites or carry out allergy testing. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be required – but usually this can be diagnosed from the vet’s clinical examination. Only if there are abnormalities or if it doesn’t respond as expected would further tests be needed.
How is canine acne treated?
In the majority of cases, symptoms are mild and can be successfully treated with topical shampoos or creams.
If the lesions are more severe or infected, systemic medications such as oral antibiotics are indicated. If possible, a swab sample will be sent for culture and sensitivity in order to select the most appropriate antibiotic, but in many cases, the causative organism is a Staphylococcus so an antibiotic that is effective against this should be a first line choice. Rarely, the condition can cause marked swelling of the lips and muzzle, in which case the vet may prescribe corticosteroids can help relieve the symptoms.
Ultimately, it may take a number of weeks for the acne to completely resolve and there is a small risk of scarring, though this rarely causes a problem or is even visible.
How‘s canine acne prevented?
Prevention of canine acne may not be possible in every case, but controlling any underlying factors can vastly reduce the risk of it developing.
Prevent underlying health issues
Ensuring your dog is up to date with anti-parasite treatments will help to eliminate mites as a possible cause. Equally, identifying and then controlling any potential allergies and avoiding them will also keep the skin healthy and more resistant to damage. Anything we can do to reduce scratching and trauma will reduce the chance.
Good hygiene
For those breeds such as Boxers, which have more pronounced facial folds, wiping their muzzle after eating and cleaning in the folds daily can help keep the skin healthy and reduce surface bacteria which could colonise any small wound. It will also help prevent the skin-fold dermatitis which so many of these dogs suffer from.
Canine acne is common but thankfully, rarely serious
Just like in humans, if the spots are traumatised or squeezed, it can leave scars behind. But this is unlikely to affect the dog in the future. It can be annoying and itchy for your pet though so getting prompt treatment from your vet will help to alleviate the symptoms, however they do tend to grow out of it by the time they reach 12 months old.
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