What is dog acne?
Dog acne is the common name given to a skin condition that affects young dogs and is otherwise known by the medical term chin furunculosis.
It would be a dermatosis probably linked to a primary disorder of keratinization or pilosebaceous functioning and complicated by a deep bacterial infection (pyoderma).
Chin acne in dogs: its manifestations
Canine acne generally affects dogs of breeds prone to this condition between 3 and 12 months old.
What dog breeds are prone to chin acne?
The Boxer, the Great Dane and the Dobermann are breeds prone to chin acne. The condition is also described in other breeds such as the Dogo Argentino, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Weimaraner, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Labrador, Rottweiler, Shar Pei and American Staffordshire Terrier .
Dermatosis is characterized by the appearance of comedones (kinds of large "blackheads" ), pustules (" white pimples" ) and boils on the dog's chin and lips. In some cases, chin edema, i.e. swelling of the skin of the chin, can be observed.
When the condition becomes chronic, the affected skin can turn black and become lichenified: the skin then thickens in patches squared by clearly visible furrows. Lichenification is often secondary to pruritus (itchy sensation) caused by bacterial superinfection.
More rarely, the lesions can be extended to the dog's auricular pavilions and/or to its muzzle (region located above the nose, on the muzzle).
How is canine acne treated?
The superinfection associated with canine acne justifies the prescription of antibiotics to be administered orally to the dog for several weeks. This systematic antibiotic therapy is generally combined with local antiseptic and antibiotic treatments in the form of shampoos.
If necessary, other treatments can be prescribed by the veterinarian, in particular topical or systemic retinoids aimed at regulating the keratinization process and preventing relapses which can, in the case of canine acne, be many.
Most of the time the lesions heal completely, sometimes at the cost of a fairly long treatment and repeated courses of antibiotics. Scars may nevertheless persist in some dogs and lead to aesthetic damage for show animals.
Phytotherapy to the rescue of canine acne!
In support of the conventional treatment of canine acne, plants can be of great help in leading your dog on the path to recovery.Taken orally, burdock regulates sebum secretion, soothes pruritus, promotes the elimination of toxins and limits inflammation. Combined with anti-infectious echinacea and immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory licorice, it can be very useful in the treatment of acne. Always seek advice from a specialized veterinarian before using these plants alone or in a mixture for your dog, in order to avoid any drug interactions and to know the contraindications as well as the dosage.