Is skin infection in dogs serious
A guide to staph infections in dogs
How are staph infections in dogs treated?
Topical and oral antibiotics will take care of a staph infection in your dog, but your pets vet must find and treat the underlying cause of the infection in order to prevent recurrence.
How do I know if my dog has a staph infection?
Look out for the common signs. Superficial staph infections can cause skin inflammation, crusty, scaly skin, hair loss, itching, sensitivity, or a rash. It can also lead to an abscess. Internal staph infections can cause a loss of appetite, high fever, rigidity, muscle spasms, or shock. In some cases, your dog might bleed from the nose or mouth. Also keep an eye out for blood on bruises and in your dogs stools.
Can my dog give me a staph infection?
Transmission of staph infections from dogs to people is rare. However, in some instances dogs can transmit the infection to immunosuppressed individuals, so proper hygiene is a must.
How contagious are staph infections in dogs?
Not very. While dogs can pass bacteria to other dogs and people, infection only occurs if the skin is damaged or there is an underlying medical condition.
Are staph infections in dogs serious?
Extremely serious. If left untreated, staph infections in dogs can lead to septicemia, canine toxic shock syndrome, organ failure, and death.
Skin Infections in Dogs: Bacterial Infections
Symptoms of Skin Infection in Dogs
Clinical signs associated with a skin infection in dogs can vary depending on the specific cause, but early manifestations of the skin condition can be similar regardless of the cause. Commonly seen symptoms are itchiness, hair loss, and generalized discomfort. Skin flaking and crusting can also be seen in some cases of skin infection.
Generalized redness, erythema, and skin inflammation can also be observed in dogs with skin infections. Untreated and severe cases will eventually emit a pungent or foul odor, and can even be fatal to highly susceptible and immunocompromised animals.
Types of Skin Infection in Dogs
Skin infection in dogs can be generally classified into 2 types: bacterial and fungal. Several bacterial and fungal species can invade and penetrate the skin barrier and cause infection in canines. Inflammation and breaks on the skin barrier can increase the risk of these microorganisms taking over, leading to an infection.
Its important to determine what type of skin infection an affected animal has because the treatment for both types is different. Medications that can control and eliminate bacterial organisms will have no effect against fungal infections, and likewise, anti-fungal medications are ineffective against bacterial skin infections.
Proper identification and diagnosis are important to have a specific and targeted treatment for your dogs skin infection.
Common Bacterial Skin Infection Causes in Dogs
Pyoderma is the most common bacterial skin infection in dogs. This bacterial skin infection is characterized by the presence of purulent (pus-like) discharge from the skin and is commonly caused by several species of bacteria.
Pyoderma in dogs is differentiated based on the tissues of the skin involved in the disease. Infections that only affect the topmost layers are called superficial pyoderma, and pyoderma that infiltrates and infects the deeper layers of the skin are called deep pyodermas. Superficial pyoderma accounts for the majority of pyoderma cases in dogs.
Most superficial pyoderma cases occur spontaneously and often present with a localized skin lesion. Loss of hair, or alopecia, is typically seen in superficial pyoderma cases, along with erythema (redness) and purulent discharge. Superficial pyoderma lesions tend to cause severe discomfort and will result in affected dogs trying to scratch or bite on the lesions, making the condition worse. The most common bacteria that causes this type of pyoderma is Staphylococcus pseudointermedius.
Deep pyodermas, on the other hand, usually have a triggering cause. Oftentimes, deep pyodermas result from untreated superficial pyodermas. Some cases of deep pyoderma are caused by the same bacterial species, but other organisms like E. coli, Proteus sp., and Pseudomonas sp. can also cause infection. Deep pyoderma cases affect the deeper portions of the hair follicle which results in erythema, hyperpigmentation, swelling, and skin ruptures. Affected areas of the skin are often painful and swollen.
Diagnosing & Treating Bacterial Skin Infections in Dogs
As mentioned, treatment for skin infections in dogs will ultimately depend on proper identification and diagnosis. The best way to diagnose skin infection in canines is through skin cytology, bacterial and/or fungal culture, and identification. Several methods like skin scraping, smear biopsy, and acetate cytology have proven effective in determining whether a skin infection is bacterial or fungal in nature. Identification of specific bacterial or fungal causes will involve culturing and isolating the bacteria taken from skin samples.
Most bacterial skin infections respond well to antibacterial medications. Localized and solitary bacterial infections can easily be treated with topical medications such as antibacterial creams and ointments. A more generalized infection will often need systemic antibacterial therapy for treatment.
Similarly, fungal infections are mostly treated with topical medications such as ointments or medicated shampoos, depending on how widespread the lesions are. Systemic antifungal medications are usually only prescribed in severe cases of fungal skin infections because of their potential liver and kidney side effects.
Read more:
Skin Infections in Dogs: Fungal & Yeast Infections
Common Skin Parasites in Dogs
My Dog Wont Stop Licking His Paws - Help!
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Staph Infection in Dogs
What Are Staph Infections in Dogs?
Staph infections are caused by the overgrowth of Staphylococcus bacteria on the surface of a dogs skin. Small amounts of this type of bacteria are normally found on dogs.
However, when the skin barrier becomes damaged or the immune system is weakened, bacteria can overgrow, which leads to an infection. The skin becomes red and itchy because of inflammation or swelling as well as the infection.
It's rare for a healthy dog to develop a staph infection unless theres a wound on their skin.
Puppies and adult dogs with chronic illnesses are more prone to staph infections because of their weakened immune systems. Also, dogs with pre-existing conditions that affect the skin barrier are very prone to getting staph infections. This includes dogs with environmental allergies, food allergies, hypothyroidism, or ectoparasites (demodex or fleas).
Mild staph infections are not considered an emergency and often heal with minimal treatment. However, severe staph infections can cover the entire body and also invade tissue under the skin to create a deep, potentially life-threatening infection. Severe infections should be considered a medical emergency.
Speak with your vet if your pup is displaying symptoms of a staph infection.
Symptoms of Staph Infections in Dogs
Superficial (skin-level) staph infections:
Deep staph infections can cause these additional symptoms:
Causes of Staph Infections in Dogs
Any medical condition that causes scratching, chewing, or licking of the skin can lead to development of a staph infection, but there are other causes as well.
Here is an extensive list:
Environmental allergy
Contact allergy
Food allergy
Fleas
Hypothyroidism
Demodectic mange (demodex)
Sarcoptic mange (scabies)
Urine scalding (direct contact with urine for a long period of time, causing the skin to become moist, leading to irritation and infection)
Matted coat
Open wound
Skin folds on a dogs face or body
Obesity
Corkscrew tails
Hooded vulva
Any dog, no matter its age or breed, can develop a staph infection. However, certain breeds are at a higher risk.
Dog breeds with skin folds on their face or bodiessuch as Pugs, English Bulldogs, Mastiffs, French Bulldogs, and Shar-Peiare more vulnerable.
Additionally, the following breeds are more prone to environmental allergies:
Dogs with a compromised (weakened) immune system because of their age (less than 1 year old) or an underlying medical condition (cancer, immune-mediated disease) are also prone to staph infections.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Staph Infections in Dogs
Vets may diagnose a pup with a staph infection using:
Skin cytologyA simple test where a piece of clear tape is gently put on a skin lesion and then removed. The tape is then stained and looked at under the microscope. The veterinarian will see round-shaped bacteria called cocci, which usually indicate a staph infection.
Aerobic skin culture and sensitivityThe gold standard test for diagnosing a staph infection. The strain of bacteria is identified from a culture plate and tested against various antibiotics. These three strains of staphylococcal organisms can be very resistant to numerous antibiotics: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), S. aureus (MRSA), and S. schleiferi (MRSS).
Treatment of Staph Infections in Dogs
The treatment of a staph infection depends on location, severity, symptoms, how well the pet parent follows the treatment plan, and the dogs tolerance to the treatment prescribed.
Topical
Topical therapy is usually prescribed first for treatment of a staph infection. It may include:
Its important to ask your vet which topical therapy is best for your dog.
Oral
Oral antibiotics such as cephalexin, cefpodoxime, or clindamycin are prescribed by a vet when a skin infection is not responding to topical therapy alone, the staph infection is severe, or the infection is in areas that would be difficult to treat with topical therapy.
A dogs itchiness also needs to be addressed when treating a staph infection. The two most effective and safest anti-itch treatment options are:
Recovery and Management of Staph Infections in Dogs
When treating a dog for a skin infection, its important to keep their coat and skin clean and dry. Avoid water activities, like swimming, as water will moisten your pups skin lesions. Your dog should also be kept mostly indoors in a clean environment.
Most dogs usually recover within two to three weeks. However, deep or extensive staph infections can take four to six weeks to clear. Immunocompromised dogssuch as very young puppies or dogs with a chronic diseasecan struggle with recovery. It may take longer for them to recover, or they may not.
Check your dogs skin daily to be sure that the affected area is improving. If an antibiotic is prescribed, make sure not to miss any doses and do not stop giving it to your pup without your vets strict instruction.
A dogs itchiness must also be managed with Cytopoint, Apoquel, and/or a recovery cone to prevent licking, scratching, and chewing.
Consult with your vet on when to schedule a recheck appointment to have your dogs skin looked at again after starting treatment.
Prevention of Staph Infections in Dogs
Staph infections are not 100% preventablestaph naturally lives on a dogs skin. However, here are steps that can be taken to lower the risk of a staph infection:
Schedule an appointment with your vet if your dog is itchy, has skin lesions, or has an open wound.
Bathe your dog when needed to keep the skin and coat clean. If your dogs fur is prone to matting, brush the fur often or schedule professional grooming appointments regularly.
Keep your dogs skin folds clean.
If your dog is overweight, consult with your vet to create a weight loss plan for your pup.
Having a hooded vulva or corkscrew tail can sometimes be managed with topical therapy, though it may require surgery.
If your dog has allergies, talk with your vet about how to best manage your pets allergy.
Prevent urine scalding. Have your veterinarian figure out the cause for the urine scalding and discuss prevention and treatment methods.
Staph Infection in Dogs FAQs
Is staph in dogs contagious?
Yes, a staph infection can be shared from a dog to a person, another dog, or a cat, but its uncommon. Frequent hand washing and cleaning a dogs crate and bedding can help prevent the spread of bacteria between other pets and people.
Immunocompromised family members should avoid touching a dog that has a staph infection until the infection has been treated.
Can you treat dog staph infections at home?
If theres a skin lesion on your dog, its in your dogs best interest to have their vet examine them to look at the skin lesion. Ringworm and yeast infections can look similar to staph infections.
Can a dog licking you give you a staph infection?
Yes, a dog diagnosed with MRSP,MRSA, or MRSS should not be allowed to lick a persons face or any open wounds because this may lead to spread of the bacterial infection.
Featured Image:Emre Ceylan/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
References
Frank L, Loeffler A. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius: clinical challenge and treatment options.Veterinary Dermatology. August 2012;23(4):283-91: e56.
Laarhoven LM, de Heus P, van Luijn J, Duim B, Wagenaar JA, van Duijkeren E. Longitudinal study on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in households. Public Library of Science. January 2011;6(11): e27788.
Windahl U, Gren J, Holst BS, Brjesson S. Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in multi-dog households: A longitudinal study using whole genome sequencing. Veterinary Microbiology. 2016;189:814.
MRSA for Pet Owners. Worms and Germs blog. Updated September 28, 2008.
Frank L, Loeffler A. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius: clinical challenge and treatment options.Veterinary Dermatology. August 2012;23(4):283-91: e56.
Laarhoven LM, de Heus P, van Luijn J, Duim B, Wagenaar JA, van Duijkeren E. Longitudinal study on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in households. Public Library of Science. January 2011;6(11): e27788.
Windahl U, Gren J, Holst BS, Brjesson S. Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in multi-dog households: A longitudinal study using whole genome sequencing. Veterinary Microbiology. 2016;189:814.
MRSA for Pet Owners. Worms and Germs blog. Updated September 28, 2008.
WRITTEN BY
Michelle Diener, DVMVeterinarian
I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. I obtained by BS degree in Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2000 and my DVM degree at NCSU in 2006. I have...
