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Furunculosis is a painful skin disease that causes pus-filled boils on the body of your dog. The boils often are recurring and may be found near your dog’s anus, in the webbing between your dog’s toes, or on his back, abdomen, back legs and nose. Treatment is effective, though recurrence is common.
Furunculosis is a skin disease that causes boils filled with pus. In cases of idiopathic furunculosis, the cause of the infection is not known. German Shepherds and breeds mixed with German Shepherds are predisposed to the condition.
Idiopathic Furunculosis (German Shepherds) Average Cost
From 536 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$600
Furunculosis is a skin disease that produces boils (also called furuncles) that are filled with pus. Often, the boils recur, typically on the nose, around the anus, back, abdomen, legs (particularly the lateral thigh), paws and muzzle. Other symptoms include:
Types
There are several types of furunculosis, to include:
- The infection will be between the toes of your dog, showing up as boils in the webbing between the toes of your dog’s paws
- The infection will produce boils in the groin and anal areas of your dog
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Idiopathic means “without known cause”. In cases of idiopathic furunculosis, it is not clear what it is that has caused the infection. Furunculosis that is not idiopathic may be caused by certain bacteria, for example Staphylococcal spp., as well as conditions that are not hygienic combined with a weakened immune system. Furunculosis that affects the skin is typically due to bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection. Canine atopy and demodicosis are conditions that are known to cause furunculosis.
Interdigital furunculosis may be caused by:
Anal furunculosis may be caused by there being feces in the anal area that will attach to the tail of your dog. The tail will then spread the feces around the perineal area. This will cause the skin under the tail of your dog (around the anus) to become inflamed and ulceration will occur, possibly leading to infection. German Shepherds and German shepherd mixes are more likely to suffer from this condition than other dogs.
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When noticing boils on your dog’s body, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and consider your dog’s history. You will want to be prepared to tell your veterinarian when you first noticed the boil or boils on your dog, along with any other symptoms or changes in behavior that you have observed. Depending on the physical examination, your veterinarian may choose to get a closer view of the infection through skin scrapings, smears or fine needle aspirates in order to confirm the diagnosis.
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Upon diagnosis, your veterinarian will likely recommend antibiotics and topical antimicrobials. In many cases, antibiotics are given for a long period of time. Other possible recommendations include:
When treatment is not successful, it is often due to the dose or duration of antibiotics not being enough. Other reasons for unsuccessful treatment include your veterinarian being unable to identify and resolve any predisposing factors, as well as your dog taking corticosteroids while receiving treatment for furunculosis.
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While your dog is undergoing treatment, you will want to keep the infected areas well ventilated and dry. In addition, it is important that you maintain proper hygiene for your dog and provide him with a diet that meets his nutritional needs in order to boost his immune system. This will help him better fight his infection. With treatment, you will typically notice symptoms receding within 4-12 weeks. It is fairly typical for symptoms to recede and then reoccur during treatment.
If your dog is predisposed to furunculosis, he will likely experience relapses. As furunculosis has a high likelihood of recurring, your veterinarian will probably recommend regular follow up visits. In some cases, the dog will require antibiotics throughout his life.
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Idiopathic Furunculosis (German Shepherds) Average Cost
From 536 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$600
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Ask a Vet
German Shepherd
Three Years
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My German Shepherd get boils all over the body, my vet given antibiotic injection and medicines, but when the medicine ends the boils come back again. Here we donot have good vets, I have uploaded the pictures can you please suggest a good medicine so that the boils doesn't come back.
July 18, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If the boils return when the antibiotic is stopped, perhaps the antibiotic is not being given long enough? If your veterinarian has any way to culture the boils, that would be helpful, otherwise, you may want to give the antibiotics for a longer period of time, as the bacteria may not be fully resolved each time, and may come back. I hope that all goes well for your dog.
July 18, 2020
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Dom
German Shepherd
2 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I am 100% positive my 2yr ok German Shepard has a furuncle. It doesn’t seem to be bothering him for the most part other than some itching which I feel I have treated since he has stopped licking and biting at it for the most part. Would it be alright for him to go on hikes still with me?
June 13, 2018
Dom's Owner
0 Recommendations
Without examining Dom I cannot confirm whether or not this is a furuncle or not, however I would advise against hiking until the issue is fully resolved. Continue treating the paw and monitor for improvement but if it doesn’t seem to respond fully you should think about having your Veterinarian take a look at it. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 14, 2018
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Rebel
Husky
12 Months
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 12 month old husky has a terrible rash on his back. Took him to the vet and they shaved his back under sedation and she diagnosed him with farunculosis. I have pictures I can upload I’m curious how he could’ve gotten it. And if that is truly what it is Also, he seems weak in his hindquarters and I don’t know if that’s because of the pain on his back or something else going on I would love a second opinion Thanks!
Jan. 29, 2018
Rebel's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Rebel, I cannot diagnose anything. Furunculosis is a deep infection of the hair follicles, and he may have developed that due to an untreated bacterial infection, a parasite, or allergies. If you are noticing that he seems weak in his back end at his age, he may need x-rays to determine whether he has hip dysplasia, or if he has any other nerve degeneration. If you do have other questions about hi, it would be a good idea to either discuss your concerns with the veterinarian who saw Rebel, or seek a second opinion from another veterinarian who is able to examine him. I hope that all goes well for him.
Jan. 30, 2018
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Sheeba
German Shepherd
4 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Our German Shepherd Sheeba, has had sores on her paw, above the pads more towards her andle, so this in not between the paws as usually reported. the were blister like and she licked it a lot. Since seeing the vet and a biopsy being taken, they said it was furunculosis and have given her antibiotics. The area which had been shaved to operate has seemd to calm down a lot now and she does not lick it anymore, we are collecting the antibiotics tomorrow, 3 weeks worth so will she how she goes. It has not bothered her in any way as she has not been in pain or limping and shes running around as her usual giddy self.
Brody
Shepard collie mix
6 Years
Serious severity
1 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
I am not sure if our daughters part German Shepard part Collie Dog has this condition but it sounds like it. He has been to several veterinarians and were told he has an autoimmune condition. He has allergies and will have episodes of heavy sneezing. He is constantly on prednisone. Whenever our daughter lowers the dose he starts the sneezing, loud breathing (sounds like his nose is stuffed up). This past year they have noticed after bathing (whether at a groomer or at home and now they are using medicated shampoo from the vet) anyways after bathing he gets these lesions on his back. They look terrible, bleed, ooze and he ends up getting shaved as they do smell. The Vet RX's 40 mg of prednisone and an antibiotic as well as something to clean the areas. I have been trying to google various things and found he may have Folliculitis or Furuncolosis? I really feel so badly for the poor dog and our daughter and son in law who are such great fur parents. Sometimes I think that since he is on prednisone for such a long time (many years) that this is not good. Eventually the lesions get better but it does take awhile. The dog is 6 years old and again been to regular vets and specialists. He recently went to a dermatologist vet who wants to do testing on him for allergies but he needs to be off the pred. for a month. I just thought I would write to see of you had any thoughts on this. Thank you.
Idiopathic Furunculosis (German Shepherds) Average Cost
From 536 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$600
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