Dog acne

Yes, your dog can get acne too!

WHAT IS CANINE ACNE?

Canine acne is an inflammatory disorder of the lips and skin of the dog's muzzle. Dogs with mild cases of acne often have red bumps or pustules (pimples) on their skin. This can, in more severe cases, lead to generalised swelling of the lips and muzzle, bleeding sores or scabs on the face. Severe cases can result in permanent scarring if left untreated.

WHY DO DOGS DEVELOP ACNE?

The underlying cause of acne is not fully understood. Genetic predisposition is, however, thought to play a role. The most commonly affected breeds include Boxers, Great Danes, English Bulldogs, German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers. Other breeds can also be affected, though at lower rates than these predisposed breeds.

Interestingly, just like in humans, some dogs, particularly these predisposed breeds, will develop acne when they start to go through puberty (usually around five to eight months of age), and in most cases, this will disappear on its own by the time they are one year old. This suggests that there is a hormonal component in some dogs.

Another postulated cause of canine acne is trauma to the skin of the muzzle, lips or chin. This trauma causes hairs to break off near the skin's surface, leading to inflammation within the hair follicle and eventual rupture. When the hair follicle ruptures, its contents are released into the surrounding skin. This creates further inflammation, as the contents of the hair follicles are recognised as 'foreign' by the surrounding tissue. Although the inflammation associated with canine acne is often sterile (i.e. noninfected) in the early stages, bacteria can readily colonise the damaged skin and lead to a full-blown infection.

In other cases, it is thought that canine acne is associated with other underlying skin conditions. Your vet will assess your dog for allergies to food or environmental allergens. If allergies are suspected based on your vet's examination, managing the allergy is often seen to reduce the amount of acne. Your vet may also perform a physical exam or lab test to rule out parasites, like Demodex mites or fungi, like ringworm, as a factor contributing to the acne.

NOTE: You must only use acne treatment specifically intended for dogs. Using human medication can have severe adverse effects.

PATHOLOGY

While the physical presentation and predisposing factors can vary, dog acne results from bacteria and dead skin cells in a hair follicle. This build-up causes the pore to clog and create a sore at the surface of the hair follicle.

SYMPTOMS OF DOG ACNE

The common symptoms of dog acne are:

• Red bumps, blackheads or whiteheads on the lips, chin or muzzle

• Scratching of the face, particularly against carpets and furniture as the spots can be itchy

• Swelling (not of the lumps)

• Painful lumps on the lips, chin or muzzle

• Bleeding sores

• Generalised swelling of the lips, chin and muzzle

DIAGNOSIS

In most cases, vets diagnose canine acne based on its visual appearance. The characteristic skin lesions distributed around the lips and muzzle are typical of this condition. In some cases, however, further diagnostics may be required to confirm the diagnosis of acne and to rule out other skin disorders. In cases of more clear infection, your vet may recommend bacterial culture and sensitivity, which helps to identify the bacteria responsible and the appropriate antibiotics for treatment. Cytology, which looks for evidence of infectious organisms or unusual cell types, may also be helpful.

TREATMENT

The most common treatment for canine acne is topical benzoyl peroxide. This product helps to flush out the hair follicle and reduce bacterial contamination. In mild cases, benzoyl peroxide alone may be sufficient to resolve canine acne, but in more severe cases, long-term benzoyl peroxide may need to be used to reduce the chance of a recurrence and sometimes other medication may be added in as well.

Other treatments for canine acne include:

• Steroids to decrease inflammation within the skin. Oral steroids may include prednisone or prednisolone, while topical steroids often include betamethasone or fluocinolone.

• Topical antibiotics like mupirocin, which decrease bacterial counts on the skin's surface. If the lesions are infected, your vet may prescribe an antibiotic for the skin. If oral antibiotics are used, they are typically given for four to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the infection. It is vital to give all medications as prescribed by your vet.

WHAT CAN OWNERS DO?

One of the best things you can do is to resist the temptation to 'pop' the pimples. Squeezing the lesions on your dog's face will increase the likelihood of hair follicles rupturing under the skin leading to worsening inflammation.

Keeping your dog's face clean is also essential, particularly if they have extra skin folds. Try to just use warm water and a soft wipe or cloth wherever possible. Frequent use of shampoos and soaps can dry out the skin leading to more irritation and inflammation.

Another crucial element is keeping the face dry. Dark, moist places are the perfect environment for bacteria to run rampant so try to keep your dog's muzzle dry to reduce bacteria populations. This may involve wiping his muzzle after he drinks or eats.

In cases of trauma, if you can identify the cause, preventing it can also decrease acne. Possible causes of trauma include scratching the face, using the muzzle to root around in the dirt or eating from a bowl with rough edges. In line with this, keeping your dog's toys and bowls clean will help to reduce bacterial contamination.

Brushing your dog's teeth can also help to prevent acne formation. The bacteria in your dog's mouth can easily transfer to his muzzle, especially with drooly breeds. Brush the teeth daily, or use dental care products like food or water additives to help control bacteria in between less frequent brushing.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whilst mild acne is mostly a cosmetic problem, it can become an issue if left untreated and unmanaged. Keep your dog's face and environment clean, watch for trauma to the muzzle or lips and take your dog to the vet if you see any signs of acne developing. Thankfully, the condition is not life-threatening, but it can affect your dog's quality of life, so we must take it seriously!