Mild skin infections may be treated solely with an antibacterial shampoo, while more severe infections often require a combination of antibacterial shampoo and oral antibiotics. Bacterial skin infection is one of the reasons why your veterinarian might prescribe a medicated shampoo for your dog. Medicated shampoo should be applied to a clean, wet coat, so start by thoroughly rinsing your dog with lukewarm water. If your dog is visibly dirty, bathe her with an over-the-counter shampoo to remove dirt and debris. Unlike cleansing shampoos, medicated shampoos do not typically contain soaps or detergents and may not thoroughly clean dirty dogs. Ask your veterinarian if you have concerns about using an over-the-counter shampoo with your dog’s skin condition.
It is important not to leave residual shampoo on the skin. When the timer goes off, it is time to rinse. Ensure you rinse all the shampoo from all areas of your dog’s body. This process will take several minutes. The frequency of medicated baths depends on the specific skin condition the baths address. In many cases, medicated baths are recommended on a weekly basis.
Typically, skin conditions should improve within the first few weeks of using a medicated shampoo. Your veterinarian can give you a better idea of what to expect with your dog’s particular skin condition. You may notice that your dog’s skin is a bit red immediately after a bath. This typically does not indicate a reaction to the shampoo; instead, it reflects an increase in skin circulation that often occurs after bathing. However, if your dog’s skin appears to be consistently worsening with bathing, please contact your veterinarian.