German shepherd dog pyoderma: a prospective study of 12 dogs.

Twelve German shepherd dogs, each diagnosed as having a recurrent or refractory deep pyoderma (i.e., German shepherd dog pyoderma [GSP]), were evaluated for several parameters over a six-year period. Results indicated that GSP could be associated with flea allergy dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, cell-mediated immunodeficiency, or hypothyroidism, or could be an idiopathic disease. The combination of diseases present for a given dog varied from case to case. Adequate control of the pyoderma was achieved only after each identified underlying disease was treated specifically, along with aggressive concurrent medical therapy using systemic antibiotics and medicated baths.