Hi guys. Jackie, that was the site from which I took the first info. I posted. It's a great site! Sue, I DID find info. specifically on GSD pyoderma. I can tell you, being a nurse, that there is no such thing as PYRO-derma. (Pyro being the prefix for hot) I think PYOderma is what you are looking for. Did Killian get diagnosed with this condition? What made you think of it? It certainly does appear to be a lot more easily treated than girardia. Here's the info. I found on GSD pyoderma. (The prefix, pyo, means moist...derma...skin) Pyoderma can occur as a generalized skin infection, or, more specifically, in the lip fold area. It is, in that case, not confined to the "furry area" but actually in the folds of the lip itself. The info. I found on GSD pyoderma seems to be a more generalized skin condition. However, this does not mean that Killian's form of the condition (GSD pyoderma) could not be limited to the mouth and lip area. Hope this helps, and I'm not confusing you!!

German-Shepherd Pyoderma
EJ Rosser
Michigan State Univ Coll Vet Med Dept Small Anim Clin Sci E Lansing,MI 48824 USA
Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian20,7 (JUL 1998) 831

German shepherd pyoderma (GSP) is a unique, recurrent or refractory deep pyoderma that is characterized by a pruritus (that mean pussy, Sue) condition which may progress to affect multiple regions of the body and become a generalized skin disease. The underlying disease processes that predispose animals to GSP may include flea allergy dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, cell-mediated immunodeficiency, or hypothyroidism. GSP may have an inherited component and is occasionally idiopathic (meaning no known cause, Sue) in nature. A recent prospective study evaluated several parameters in 12 patients that were affected with GSP. The results suggested that GSP should be considered a disease caused by multiple underlying conditions rather than a skin disorder caused by a single defect. Management requires a thorough and.systematic approach to the investigation of each patient for the possible triggering disease processes. The specific treatment for each underlying disease identified should be initiated with the objective of resolving the recurrent nature of the deep pyoderma. The initial supportive medical treatment usually requires at least 8 weeks of continuous systemic antibiotic therapy and medicated baths while the clinician attempts to determine each underlying disease process involved in the particular case of GSP

Give a little more info. if you have it. Killian, I love you!! Aunt Sandra

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]