Acne (Pimples)
Causes of Canine Acne
The precise cause of acne in dogs is not known. It is thought that bacterial infection is secondary to some other underlying cause. Some authorities suggest that local trauma to the muzzle and face can trigger canine acne, while others theorize that there is a genetic predisposition to development of the disorder. Still other experts hypothesize that hormones play a triggering role.
Prevention of Acne
Keeping a dog’s muzzle and chin clean and dry goes a long way towards preventing the onset of acne. However, as with acne in human adolescents, acne in teen-aged companion dogs is quite common and is difficult to prevent. Fortunately, it almost always is treatable and manageable, and almost always eventually resolves.
Symptoms of Acne
- Folliculitis (deep inflammation of hair follicles)
- Furunculosis (deep inflammatory, pus-filled lesions of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with a central slough or core, also referred to as boils)
- Red papules (erythematous papules; papules are small, circumscribed, solid, elevated skin lesions)
- Pustules (small, elevated, circumscribed, pus-filled lesions of the skin which usually are thin-walled and rupture easily)
- Bullae (blisters; well circumscribed, fluid-containing, elevated skin lesions)
- Swelling
- Ulcerated draining tracts
- Pain on palpation
- Scarring and hardening of local tissue
Dogs at Increased Risk
Canine acne is particularly common in young, large, short-coated purebred dogs. There is no established gender predisposition. Dogs at increased risk reportedly include the Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Mastiff, English Bulldog, Weimaraner, German Short-Haired Pointer and Rottweiler.
Special Notes
Owners of dogs with acne should not express the lesions (or “pop the pimples”). This can lead to internal rupture of the affected hair follicles and exacerbate massive local inflammation and infection.