Strategies for management of recurrent pyoderma in dogs

Staphylococcal skin infection (pyoderma) is a common clinical problem in dogs. The infection can be either superficial or deep. Most cases of staphylococcal pyoderma occur secondary to a definable underlying cause. Treatment consists of finding the underlying cause and correcting it, if possible, and treating the pyoderma with antibiotics. Antibacterial shampoos may be used as adjunct treatment, but corticosteroid drugs should not be used. When canine pyoderma recurs in the absence of an identifiable underlying cause, several treatment strategies can be effective in eliminating recurrence or limiting its severity. Frequent antibacterial shampoos are an easy and sometimes effective method. Immunomodulatory drugs are variably effective. Some commercially available bacterins are clearly helpful in treating recurrent pyoderma. As a last resort, the clinician may opt to keep the patient on long-term antibiotic therapy. Such therapy may promote development and dissemination of resistant strains of Staphylococcus and should be used only if absolutely necessary.     

Lymphocyte transformation suppression caused by pyoderma--failure to demonstrate it in uncomplicated demodectic mange

Three dogs with demodectic mange uncomplicated by a bacterial infection and 9 dogs with demodectic mange and pyoderma were tested for their lymphocyte response to phytomitogens in vitro and for the presence of the serum's lymphocyte immunoregulatory factors (SLIF) suppressing blastogenesis. None of the 3 dogs with uncomplicated demodectic mange showed any detectable dysfunction of their lymphocytes or presence of the blastogenesis suppressing SLIF. Their lymphocytes generally responded to the mitogens with more blastogenesis than lymphocytes from healthy controls. On the other hand, in the group of 9 dogs with demodicosis complicated by a bacterial infection, high levels of the blastogenesis suppressing SLIF for concanavalin A-sensitive cells were detected in 4 dogs, for phytohemagglutinin-sensitive cells in 2 dogs, and for pokeweed mitogen-sensitive cells in 1 (of only 3 tested) dog. Dysfunction of lymphocytes per se (detected by a decreased blastogenesis in nonsuppressive normal canine and bovine sera) was detected in 3 dogs with demodicosis with pyoderma. The success of the treatment of demodectic mange or the bacterial skin infection did not correlate with the previous presence or absence of the blastogenesis suppressing SLIF. The treatment of pyoderma was less successful in dogs with an increase in blastogenesis of unstimulated cells in fresh normal canine serum over that in autologous serum. All 3 dogs with a detected dysfunction of their lymphocytes either died or were euthanatized as untreatable cases. It is concluded that the development of demodectic mange per se did not cause the appearance of the blastogenesis suppressing SLIF, which was primarily related to the appearance and extent of the secondary bacterial skin infection.     

Heterogeneity of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from atopic and healthy dogs

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is part of the normal canine flora but frequently causes pyoderma in canine atopic dermatitis (AD). This study aimed to determine whether particular S. pseudintermedius strains were associated with AD and/or pyoderma. Ninety‐six S. pseudintermedius isolates from the ear, nares, perineum and lesions of 21 atopic and 16 healthy dogs were lysed with proteinase K and digested with 40 U SmaI. Restriction products were separated using pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with an Oxford S. aureus control and lambda‐ladder DNA concatomer markers. A dendrogram was constructed by the unweighted pair group method. All isolates showed a ≥56% similarity coefficient. Nine distinct PFGE clusters were identified, as follows: five from both atopic and healthy dogs; three from atopic dogs only; and one from healthy dogs only. Nine clusters were isolated from the nares, eight from the perineum, five from the ears and six from pyoderma lesions. There were no significant differences in the frequency of isolation from atopic or healthy skin, body sites or infected lesions for any of the clusters. Two of six healthy dogs and 18 of 20 atopic dogs with multiple isolates had closely related isolates (less than three band differences) at more than one sampling site. Isolates from pyoderma lesions were closely related to at least one mucosal isolate in 11 of 16 dogs. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates appear to be heterogeneous, and colonization or infection of atopic skin was not associated with any particular strain or cluster of strains.     

Interleukin‐31: its role in canine pruritus and naturally occurring canine atopic dermatitis

Background – Interleukin‐31 (IL‐31) is a member of the gp130/interleukin‐6 cytokine family that is produced by cell types such as T helper 2 lymphocytes and cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive skin homing T cells. When overexpressed in transgenic mice, IL‐31 induces severe pruritus, alopecia and skin lesions. In humans, IL‐31 serum levels correlate with the severity of atopic dermatitis in adults and children. Hypothesis/Objective – To determine the role of IL‐31 in canine pruritus and naturally occurring canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Animals – Purpose‐bred beagle dogs were used for laboratory studies. Serum samples were obtained from laboratory animals, nondiseased client‐owned dogs and client‐owned dogs diagnosed with naturally occurring AD. Methods – Purpose‐bred beagle dogs were administered canine interleukin‐31 (cIL‐31) via several routes (intravenous, subcutaneous or intradermal), and pruritic behaviour was observed/quantified via video monitoring. Quantitative immunoassay techniques were employed to measure serum levels of cIL‐31 in dogs. Results – Injection of cIL‐31 into laboratory beagle dogs caused transient episodes of pruritic behaviour regardless of the route of administration. When evaluated over a 2 h period, dogs receiving cIL‐31 exhibited a significant increase in pruritic behaviour compared with dogs that received placebo. In addition, cIL‐31 levels were detectable in 57% of dogs with naturally occurring AD (≥13 pg/mL) but were below limits of quantification (<13 pg/mL) in normal, nondiseased laboratory or client‐owned animals. Conclusions – Canine IL‐31 induced pruritic behaviours in dogs. Canine IL‐31 was detected in the majority of dogs with naturally occurring AD, suggesting that this cytokine may play an important role in pruritic allergic skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, in this species.     

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of marbofloxacin (Zeniquin) tablets for the treatment of canine pyoderma: an open clinical trial

The efficacy and field safety of marbofloxacin (Zeniquin) for the treatment of superficial and deep bacterial pyoderma were evaluated. Seventy‐two dogs were treated with 2.75 mg kg^?1 of marbofloxacin orally once daily for 21 or 28 days. Sixty‐two dogs (86%) had superficial pyoderma and 10 (14%) had deep pyoderma. A history of prior pyoderma was reported in 39/72 dogs. Pretreatment aerobic bacteriologic cultures of skin lesions were performed in 47 cases and the predominant pathogen isolated was Staphylococcus intermedius. Treatment was successful in 62/72 (86.1%) dogs, improvement was noted in 6/72 (8.3%) dogs and treatment failed in 4/72 (5.6%) dogs. Adverse effects associated with treatment included listlessness, anorexia, vomiting, soft stool, flatulence and polydipsia; these adverse effects were seen in only 6/81 dogs. Marbofloxacin was safe and effective for the treatment of superficial and deep pyoderma in dogs at the dosage used in this study.     

P-6 Double-blinded comparative study of the efficacy of azithromycin and cephalexin in canine pyoderma

Bacterial pyoderma is one of the most frequent skin diseases in dogs. Recurrent pyoderma is often secondary to an underlying skin disease, but no epidemiological study has been published on the subject to the authors' knowledge. This study was designed to prospectively evaluate the causes responsible for recurrent pyoderma in dogs. Dogs presenting with a history of more than three episodes of skin infection in the last year were included in the study. For each case, epidemiological and clinical data were collected. Pyoderma was confirmed by the clinical signs, the demonstration of bacteria on microscopic examination of cytological smears and a positive culture. Each animal was treated with an appropriate course of antibiotics until resolution of signs of pyoderma. Depending upon the presence of pruritus, appropriate diagnostic tests were performed: skin scrapings, acaricidal trial, flea treatment, elimination diet, intradermal testing, biopsies, endocrinological tests, leishmaniasis and ehrlichiosis serology, antinuclear antibody testing. Thirty dogs (14 males and 16 females) of 19 different breeds, aged from 1 to 12 years (mean 4.9 years) were included. Diagnosis was folliculitis (44%), folliculitis and furunculosis (20%), furunculosis (20%), cellulitis (10%). Staphylococcus intermedius was isolated in 97% of cases. The following underlying diseases were identified: atopic dermatitis (60%), food allergy (7%), flea allergy (7%), hypothyroidism (7%), hyperestrogenism (4%), demodicosis (4%), and zinc-responsive dermatosis (4%). In two dogs, no underlying cause could be identified. Atopic dermatitis is the most common disease associated with recurrent pyoderma in dogs.
Funding: Pfizer Animal Health.     

犬脓皮病耐甲氧西林伪中间型葡萄球菌抗菌药耐药性及消毒剂抗性研究进展

犬脓皮病是一类主要由耐甲氧西林伪中间型葡萄球菌（MRSP）感染而引起的化脓性皮肤病。葡萄球菌是一种人与动物均易感的细菌，常引起各种化脓性疾病，其中，MRSP作为一种动物源葡萄球菌还会成为耐药基因贮存库，可将耐药基因通过环境或食物链传给人类。近年来MRSP造成的皮肤疾病病例大幅上升，给感染的控制带来挑战。笔者综合了犬脓皮病致病菌的抗菌药耐药性及其消毒剂抗性的相关研究，从MRSP的致病机制出发，总结了MRSP通过破坏细胞免疫系统的功能导致感染发生的相关机制，简述了多个国家MRSP对抗菌药的显著耐药性与相关耐药基因，如mecA和cat基因等，介绍了MRSP对胍类消毒剂与季铵盐类消毒剂的抗性及抗性机制，对外排泵、基因调控与抗性基因的可转移性等多种机制进行了论述，同时为避免MRSP对抗菌药与消毒剂的共同耐药性对犬脓皮病的治疗造成干扰，笔者从移动遗传元件介导的获得性抗性与依赖于细菌细胞结构的固有抗性等方面系统地分析了MRSP对消毒剂抗性和抗菌药耐药性之间的争议与联系，以期寻找一种科学合理的治疗方案，为犬脓皮病的临床用药提供参考。     

犬瘙痒性皮肤病研究进展

瘙痒是犬皮肤病的典型临床症状之一,通常除瘙痒外还常伴脱毛、红斑等皮肤症状。瘙痒问题不仅困扰动物本身,也影响到饲养者的生活质量。瘙痒的发生机制复杂,目前国内外已有大量对人和犬瘙痒性皮肤病的临床和基础研究,揭示了瘙痒和神经免疫系统之间的关系,引入了“瘙痒-抓挠”循环的概念,且表明了免疫系统、皮肤屏障和神经系统的单独促进作用和交互作用是瘙痒产生的关键因素,任一环节的问题都可开启“瘙痒-抓挠”的恶性循环。临床上引起犬瘙痒的病因复杂,参照2007年由国际瘙痒研究论坛成员提出的瘙痒分类,将引起犬瘙痒的疾病根据病因类比对应分为了六大类,引起皮肤病性瘙痒的疾病分为了感染性、过敏性、肿瘤性等,其中在临床上最主要的是犬过敏性瘙痒。犬瘙痒性皮肤病的诊断方法及鉴别诊断多样,需从多方面对患病犬进行信息收集,按一定顺序进行排查和鉴别诊断。犬瘙痒性皮肤病的治疗周期长且疾病易反复,目前常用的西医药物存在副作用大、靶点单一、价格昂贵等不足,中药方剂成分复杂,有效成分多,可从多通路多途径治疗机制复杂的瘙痒,在犬瘙痒性皮肤病的治疗上具有优势和广阔前景。文章对瘙痒发生的机制、犬瘙痒性疾病的分类、诊断及中西医治疗思路等最新研究...     

The role of allergy in the development of canine pyoderma

Pyoderma is commonly seen in canine veterinary practice and usually occurs as a complicating factor in other primary conditions. Allergic skin disease is often the underlying cause but the precise relationship between allergy and infection is unknown. Our studies have investigated the relationship between bacterial proliferation at the skin surface and hypersensitivity reactions with the skin. Hypersensitive dogs were shown to have significantly higher surface counts of staphylococci than normal controls and these bacteria were concentrated in the more superficial layers of the stratum corneum. Intradermal injection of staphlococcal antigens in normal dogs elicited epidermal damage similar to that seen in clinical disease. Preliminary autoradiographic studies using a model of canine skin hypersensitivity reactions showed that percutaneous absorption of radiolabelled staphylococcal antigens was increased by mast cell degranulation. These findings suggest that a major role of hypersensitivity reactions in the pathogenesis of pyoderma may be via an effect on epidermal permeability, promoting penetration of staphylococcal antigens from the stratum corneum which then cause the lesions of pyoderma. Hypersensitivity reactions may also lead to changes in the skin surface microclimate leading to increased bacterial counts on the skin surface, so exacerbating the condition.     

Efficacy of a surgical scrub including 2% chlorhexidine acetate for canine superficial pyoderma

The clinical efficacy of a surgical scrub containing 2% chlorhexidine acetate (2CA; Nolvasan^® Surgical Scrub; Fort Dodge Animal Health, USA) was evaluated for the topical management of canine superficial pyoderma. The first study was a randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial. The control was a shampoo containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (4CG; Skin Clinic Shampoo; CHD MEDICS, Goyang, Korea). Ten dogs with symmetrical lesions of canine superficial pyoderma were allocated to receive either 2CA or the control shampoo applied to either side of the body twice weekly for 1 week. Both the owners and the investigators subjectively scored skin lesions including pruritus, erythema, crusted papules and scales on a scale of 0–3. The 2CA and 4CG resulted in almost the same degree of improvement of skin lesions, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The second study was an open trial of 2CA monotherapy in eight dogs with cefalexin‐resistant Staphylococcus intermedius group‐associated superficial pyoderma. The 2CA monotherapy was applied every 2 days for 2 weeks. Five dogs improved with 2CA monotherapy, one partially improved and two did not. No adverse reactions were seen in either trial. This suggests that a 2CA surgical scrub could be a useful and safe topical adjunct therapy for dogs with superficial pyoderma involving cefalexin‐resistant Staphylococcus intermedius group.     

Association of pruritus with anxiety or aggression in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between pruritus and anxiety-related and aggressive behaviors in dogs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS: 238 dogs between 1 and 8 years old. PROCEDURES: Information including a score for general degree of pruritus (visual analogue scale from 0 to 10) and frequency of anxiety-related and aggressive behaviors was collected via a survey distributed to clients at 3 privately owned practices. RESULTS: Median score for pruritus was 2.4. Dogs were assigned to 2 groups on the basis of pruritus score (nonpruritic [0 to 2.4] and pruritic [2.5 to 10]). There was no significant difference between pruritic and nonpruritic dogs with regard to aggression or with regard to reactivity to being alone; to thunderstorms or noises; or to unfamiliar people, animals, or objects. Post hoc analysis revealed significantly more reactivity to thunderstorms or noises in dogs treated with glucocorticoids (18/37 [49%]) than in those not administered glucocorticoids (57/197 [29%]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An association was not detected between pruritus and aggressive, anxious, or fearful behavior in dogs. There was greater reactivity to thunderstorms or noises in glucocorticoid-treated dogs. These findings do not preclude the possibility of a relationship between certain dermatoses or pruritic conditions and behavior. However, a concurrent behavioral abnormality cannot be assumed to result from a dermatosis and be expected to resolve with treatment of only the skin disease. Dogs with behavioral disorders and pruritic disease require primary treatment of both conditions. Additional studies to examine the effect of disease and glucocorticoids on canine behavior are warranted.     

Clindamycin hydrochloride and clavulanate-amoxycillin in the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma.

A masked, randomised, controlled clinical trial for the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma was undertaken. Dogs with a clinical diagnosis of superficial pyoderma, supported by bacterial culture were admitted to the trial and randomly assigned to treatment with either clindamycin hydrochloride at 5.5 mg/kg twice daily or clavulanate-amoxycillin at 12.5 mg/kg twice daily. After 21 days the animals were re-assessed, and therapy was continued for a further 21 days in the dogs with persistent lesions if bacterial culture demonstrated continued sensitivity. Twenty-nine dogs were treated with clindamycin hydrochloride and 27 with clavulanate-amoxycillin. Complete cure was obtained after three weeks in 17 (59 per cent) of the clindamycin-treated cases, but in only eight (30 per cent) of the clavulanate-amoxycillin treated group. Clindamycin was significantly more effective than clavulanate-amoxycillin for the treatment of superficial pyoderma in dogs.     

Prevalence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) from skin and carriage sites of dogs after treatment of their meticillin-resistant or meticillin-sensitive staphylococcal pyoderma

Background – Meticillin‐resistant staphylococci are significant pathogens in veterinary dermatology, yet longitudinal studies of the impact of routine antimicrobial therapy on emergence or resolution of resistance are lacking. Objectives – To determine the prevalence of meticillin‐resistant staphylococci on skin and carriage sites in dogs with bacterial pyoderma and evaluate the prevalence of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) colonization after successful treatment of pyoderma. Animals – One hundred and seventy‐three dogs that presented to a dermatology referral service with pyoderma and 41 healthy control dogs. Methods – Skin, nasal and rectal swabs for bacterial culture were collected at the time of referral and after clinical resolution of the pyoderma. Meticillin resistance was confirmed by demonstration of penicillin binding protein 2a antigen. Results – Initially, skin cultures yielded MRSP in 70 (40.5%) dogs, meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in three (1.7%) and meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus schleiferi ssp. coagulans (MRSScoag) in five (2.9%). Samples collected from the nose and rectum (carriage sites) yielded MRSP in 59 (34.1%) dogs, MRSA in 11 (6.4%) and MRSScoag in seven (4.0%). One hundred and two dogs were available for follow‐up cultures after clinical cure. Of 42 dogs initially diagnosed with MRSP pyoderma, MRSP was isolated at follow‐up from skin in 19 (45.2%) and carriage sites in 20 (47.6%). Of 60 dogs that did not have MRSP pyoderma initially, MRSP was isolated post‐treatment from the skin in 17 (28.3%), and MRSP from carriage sites increased from 7.8% (initially) to 26.7% (P = 0.0022). Conclusions and clinical importance – Colonization by MRSP often persists after resolution of MRSP pyoderma. Acquisition of MRSP during treatment appears to be common.     

湘桂地区犬皮肤病流行病学调查

对来自湘桂地区6个宠物医院的48 127个确诊病例进行调查,对犬皮肤病的种类、发病率及其与年龄和季节的相关性进行分析。结果表明,皮肤病发病率为28.53%。在皮肤病中,脓皮病和疥螨最为常见,分别占28.03%和26.18%。皮肤病的发病率随着年龄增长而下降。不同季节流行的皮肤病种类也有区别,但各皮肤病在冬季发病率最低。     

Aspects of the humoral immune response to Staphylococcus intermedius in dogs with superficial pyoderma,deep pyoderma and anal furunculosis

Bacterial infection (pyoderma) of the canine skin is largely caused by Staphylococcus intermedius and may be a superficial or deep infection. Pyoderma may be a primary, idiopathic disease or secondary to a range of other dermatological disorders. In this study, the serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, antistaphylococcal IgG and antistaphylococcal IgA were measured by ELISA in normal dogs (n = 22), dogs with idiopathic deep pyoderma (n = 22), atopic dermatitis and superficial pyoderma (n = 24), atopic dermatitis without pyoderma (n = 25), flea bite dermatitis with superficial pyoderma (n = 8), pustular demodicosis (n = 8) and German shepherd dogs with anal furunculosis (n = 28). The serum IgG was significantly increased in dogs with atopy and superficial pyoderma (p < 0.001), and lower than normal in dogs with idiopathic deep pyoderma (p < 0.015). The concentration of serum IgA was significantly lower than normal in dogs with atopy uncomplicated by pyoderma (p < 0.015). The concentration of antistaphylococcal IgG in all clinical sera was significantly elevated (p < 0.001) when compared to normal dogs but concentrations of antistaphylococcal IgA were no greater than in normal dogs. Western blotting analysis for determination of the specificity of serum IgG antistaphylococcal antibody revealed that there were nine major epitopes. Discriminant analysis demonstrated that particular combinations of these epitopes were recognised more frequently by sera from dogs in different clinical groups.     

Adherence of Staphylococcus intermedius to canine corneocytes in vitro

This study investigated the in vitro adherence of Staphylococcus intermedius to canine corneocytes, collected from a healthy dog using double-sided adhesive tape. Adherence was shown to depend on duration (P < 0.001) and temperature of incubation (P < 0.001) and the concentration of bacteria (P < 0.001). Isolates of S. intermedius from lesions of pyoderma were not generally more adherent to healthy canine skin than were isolates from healthy dogs. Significant differences in adherence were demonstrated between individual isolates within both groups (P < 0.001). The study suggests that among S. intermedius there is no correlation between virulence and adherence to canine corneocytes in vitro. The finding may be important for the potential use of avirulent variants of S. intermedius as antagonistic strains against canine pyoderma. However, more studies are needed to compare the adherence of the isolates to skin cells obtained from dogs with diseases predisposed to pyoderma.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in 11 dogs

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection was identified in 11 dogs. The infection was associated with surgical treatment especially orthopaedic surgery. Infection after traumatic wounding, and recurrent pyoderma was also seen. Oral antibiotic treatment improved or resolved the infection in nine of the 11 dogs, although the methicillin-resistant isolates were susceptible to relatively few antibiotics.     

Efficacy of cefadroxil in the treatment of bacterial dermatitis in dogs

Cefadroxil was found to be an effective antibiotic for the treatment of canine bacterial pyoderma. Bacterial pyoderma was diagnosed in 30 dogs, which were treated with cefadroxil administered orally at 22 mg/kg of body weight, q 12 h, for 21 to 30 days. Dogs were reexamined at the conclusion of antibiotic treatment, and 29 were found to have good to excellent response. On the basis of this study, cefadroxil is a good choice in the treatment of canine pyoderma when cephalosporins are necessary. Efficacy, frequency of administration, cost, and veterinary approval are the major advantages.     

The effectiveness of systemic antimicrobial treatment in canine superficial and deep pyoderma: a systematic review

Aim – To identify and evaluate existing evidence for the effectiveness of systemic antimicrobial treatments for naturally occurring superficial and deep canine pyoderma. Method – Electronic searches of PubMed, MEDLINE and CAB Direct were carried out (25 May 2011) without date or language restrictions. Proceedings of ESVD/ECVD, AAVD/ACVD, NAVDF and WCVD annual congresses were searched. Unpublished studies were sought via the Veterinary Dermatology discussion list and Veterinary Information Network. Results – Seventeen full‐length, peer‐reviewed controlled trials reporting clinical outcomes of systemic antimicrobial treatment for canine pyoderma were identified. Outcomes specific to superficial or deep pyoderma were reported in nine and five studies, respectively. Five studies reported outcomes only for nondifferentiated pyoderma depth. Heterogeneity of study designs and outcome measures made meta‐analysis inappropriate. A good level of evidence was identified supporting the high efficacy of subcutaneously injected cefovecin in superficial pyoderma and for oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid in deep pyoderma. A fair level of evidence was identified for moderate to high efficacy of oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, clindamycin, cefadroxil, trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole and sulfadimethoxine–ormetoprim in superficial pyoderma and oral pradofloxacin, oral cefadroxil and subcutaneously injected cefovecin in deep pyoderma. Eleven trials reported observations of adverse effects in treated pyoderma cases by intervention group; four dogs were withdrawn owing to the severity of adverse effects. Conclusions – There is a need for greater numbers of adequately sized, blinded, randomized controlled trials evaluating systemic antimicrobial interventions for canine pyoderma. Improved differentiation between superficial and deep pyoderma in outcome reporting, outcome measure standardization and association of outcomes with causative bacterial species and their resistance patterns are required.     

Serum anti‐Staphylococcus pseudintermedius IgE and IgG antibodies in dogs with atopic dermatitis and nonatopic dogs

Background – Dogs and humans with atopic dermatitis (AD) are predisposed to colonization and recurrent infection with Staphylococcus spp. Studies in humans suggest that staphylococcus‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a key role in disease pathogenesis. Few such studies have been undertaken in dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives – The aim of this study was to compare levels of staphylococcus‐specific IgE and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in dogs with AD, nonatopic dogs with staphylococcal pyoderma, and nonatopic and noninfected control dogs. Animals – Sera were collected from 108 dogs with AD, 39 nonatopic dogs with staphylococcal pyoderma secondary to different underlying conditions, 67 age‐matched nonatopic control dogs, and nine control dogs reared in minimal disease conditions. Methods – Serum Staphylococcus pseudintermedius‐specific IgE and IgG antibodies were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results – Dogs with AD had significantly higher levels of anti‐staphylococcal IgE than nonatopic dogs with staphylococcal pyoderma and the two groups of control dogs. Levels of anti‐staphylococcal IgG were significantly higher in atopic dogs and nonatopic dogs with pyoderma compared with nonatopic control dogs and control dogs reared in minimal disease conditions, but there was no significant difference in levels of anti‐staphylococcal IgG between dogs with AD and nonatopic dogs with pyoderma. Conclusions and clinical importance – A significantly increased IgE response to S. pseudintermedius antigens in atopic dogs suggests an immunopathogenic role for anti‐staphylococcal IgE. The finding of elevated IgE and IgG in atopic dogs is also important as a prelude to studies on antigenic specificity and possible correlations with disease phenotype.