Overview
To understand a staphylococci infection in dogs , it ’s important to sympathize the bacterium that causes them .
Staphylococcus — often called staph for short — are bacteria that cause infections in click and other mammals , include humans . The name derives from the Greekstaphyle , which means “ bunch of grapes , ” and touch on to the globose appearance of staphylococcus bacteria under a microscope .
If staph bacterium overgrow or multiply , they can cause wellness problems for dogs . Learn more about what induce cad staph infections and how to handle them .
What is a Dog Staph Infection?
A dog staph contagion is often a skin infection that occurs if staph bacterium overgrows or if a hotdog has a counteract immune system .
There are disease - make strains of staphylococcus and non - disease causing breed that can live on or in a variety of master of ceremonies . Staph bacterium are often a normal resident in the environment or on dog skin , but can cause problems if the bacteria multiplies .
Can a Dog Die from a Staph Infection?
Most staph contagion in dogs are peel infection , which are not life - threatening , and most of the time , with proper veterinary care , frump can find without incident from staph infections .
In rarefied cases , wienerwurst can become infected with staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics or strains of staphylococcus that produce toxin that can cause organ failure and shock . To keep this possibility , always seek straightaway veterinary attending if you see anything that could be a house of a staph infection .
Types of Staph Infections in Dogs
Staphylococcus pseudintermediusis the most mutual pathogen in dogs . staphylococcus varies in its storey of severity or ability to cause disease , but many dogs will carry this strain without ever get any job .
In dogs , the most common areas affect by staphylococci include the skin , ears , bladder , prostate , lungs , bones , spine , joint , and mammary chains in breast feeding dogs . Staph can also taint the blood , the core , and combat injury or burns .
WhatCausesStaph Infections in Dogs?
Staph are called opportunist pathogen , which means that they take advantage of and colonise any soundbox part where local defence mechanism and immunity are compromise .
Staph often cause secondary infection , which means that they infect body function that have been debilitated by chronic disease , burns , or lesion .
Dogs who have cutis allergies are prime candidates for staph infections because they often have weakened hide barrier that countenance staphylococcus to gain a footing and replicate .
Symptomsof a Staph Infection
sign of a staphylococcus infection vary depend on what part of the dead body is infect . They can include febrility , loss of appetite , and pain .
Abscesses or infections of the hide , eyes , respiratory tract , ears , vesica and urinary nerve pathway , joints , and bones are common .
In general , signs of a staphylococcus infection in dogs can also let in :
Diagnosing Your DogWith a Staph Infection
Staph infection are usually diagnosed by a compounding of test . A veterinarian will conduct a physical exam , and may recommend testing found on physical exam findings .
Additional tests that may be recommended admit microscopic examination of skin samples , blood work , urine examination , testing of intellectual spinal fluid , culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing , and/or imagination subject area , reckon on where the suspect transmission may be in the body .
These tests will help your veterinarian determine what is awry with your dog and how to treat it .
Dog Staph InfectionTreatment
Staph infections are treated with appropriate antibiotic . Antibiotics can be administered via lozenge , topical app in pick or antimicrobic shampoo , or via injection either under the skin or intravenously .
Most staph infections can be regale on an outpatient foundation , but if a dog is passing sick , then he or she may involve to be hospitalise .
If your hound has a staphylococcus infection , it is very important to watch all of your veterinarian ’s instructions and complete all medications , even if your blackguard is feeling better . Antibiotic resistance is a braggart problem with some strains of staphylococcus , and if your frankfurter is not meliorate with the prescribed antibiotic drug , a unlike one may need to be prescribe .
Antibiotics that could be prescribe for staph infections include :
These antibiotics can be prescribed in oral , topical , or injectable figure .
Cost to Treat Staph Infections in Dogs
Cost of treatment depends on your geographical expanse , how big your frump is , and how pallid your dog is . Expect to pay more if your dog is fully grown , you survive near a major metropolitan region , or your dog is very sick .
Exam fees can range from $ 40-$125 , depending on whether you see a general veterinarian or a specialist . examination can cost anywhere from $ 30 for a simple cutis tryout to hundred of dollars for more complicated or invasive testing .
Treatment can stray in price from $ 30-$100 for antibiotic drug ( reckon on the size of your dog , how long your dog needs to be care for , and the type of antibiotic drug needed ) . Lotions and topical antimicrobic treatments can range in cost from $ 30-$60 .
Because staph bacteria are opportunistic and do n’t commonly infect healthy , adult cad , you also have to factor out the cost by figuring out and treat why your dog got a staph infection in the first place . implicit in causes could let in but are n’t limited to eld ( puppy skin infections ) , allergies , or a undermine resistant system due to hormonal problem , for example .
How to PreventDog Staph Infections
Because Staph bacteria are everywhere and take advantage on wienerwurst with lessened resistant system , the estimable way to foreclose your dog from getting a staph contagion is by ensuring that your dog is as healthy as possible .
Take your pawl in for yearly wellness exams , ensure your dog is up - to - date on vaccinations and parasite control , and have annual lab test to make indisputable everything in your hot dog ’s body is functioning well . This , combined with a healthy diet and exercise , can help prevent staph infection in your dog .
Most pets and people carry their own strains of staphylococcus on their skin . Exposure to staph in itself is not infectious , however , if your wienerwurst has been diagnosed with a staphylococcus contagion , it is recommend to wear gloves and wash away your hand after handling your cad . Always chink with a vet on how to properly protect yourself .
