Dog - Pedal Eczema

Pedal eczema, what is it?

Pedal eczema is basically an inflammatory skin disease involving the feet.  The same condition, eczema, or Staphylococcal dermatitis, often also exists elsewhere on the body.  The condition is in fact a pyoderma, a skin infection between the toes.

What are the signs?

Usually a lame dog with swollen painful feet, sometimes with a purulent (pus containing) discharge.  Hair may be permanently lost (alopecia) and pruritus (itching) is frequently present.  This stimulates licking and chewing which in turn worsens the condition.

Are some breeds more prone?

Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Boxers, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, German Shepherd dogs, Retrievers and Pekingese all appear more susceptible than the general canine population.  The condition occurs frequently in crossbreeds and mongrel dogs.

What is the cause?

Pedal eczema, or pododermatitis to use the scientific term, is the result of a chronic bacterial infection, usually Staphylococcus intermedius although other bacteria often play a part.

Why does it occur?

There are many causes.  These include:

• Penetration by grass awns and other foreign bodies
• Parasitic problems (mange or ringworm)
• Contact with irritant chemicals
• Infected cuts and wounds to the pads and feet in general  
• Dietary hypersensitivity or a contact allergy may cause pruritus (itching) resulting in continuous licking.  This leads to multiplication of the bacteria present and development of the infection.  Please see separate handout on Staphylococcal dermatitis.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis depends on clinical examination and laboratory tests of scrapings and also blood and hair samples on occasions.

What is the treatment?

Since the most common bacterium involved is Staphylococcus laboratory examination of swabs taken from the lesions between the toes together with antibiotic sensitivity tests are prudent today, in view of the increasing number of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcal pathogens (MRSA).

Treatment involves:

• Careful diagnosis of the actual cause since the bacterial infection may be secondary to an allergic (atopic) condition
• Broad spectrum antibiotic selected following laboratory sensitivity tests.  These frequently have to be given for fairly long periods of 6-8 weeks.
• Washing and bathing the feet, sometimes soaking the affected feet in specially prescribed lotions.  
• The application of antimicrobial powders and in some cases actual bandaging of the feet may be necessary.

What is the prognosis?

Good with acute pedal eczema, treated as soon as the signs are apparent.  If the condition has become chronic the difficulty is that Staphylococcal hypersensitivity can occur and therefore relapses have to be expected.   Please see handout on Staphylococcal dermatitis.

In some breeds autoimmune factors may also play a part resulting in the likelihood of relapses with prolonged and sometimes repeated treatment being often necessary.

If you have any concerns please discuss them with us.