What is Staph?
Staph, also known as Staphylococcus, refers to a group of bacteria that can cause a variety of infections in dogs. There are over 30 different species of Staphylococcus, but the most common strains that affect dogs are Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus.
Staph bacteria are commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy dogs. However, if the bacteria enter the body through a cut or wound, they can cause infections. Staph bacteria can also cause illness if a dog’s immune system is compromised.
While staph bacteria are normal inhabitants of dog skin, overgrowths can lead to infection. Wounds, allergies, hormonal disorders, and underlying illnesses are just some of the reasons staph might proliferate abnormally.
Common Staph Infections in Dogs
Staph infections in dogs most commonly affect the skin, ears, urinary tract, and wounds. The main types of staph infections seen in dogs include:
Skin infections: Staph bacteria live on dog skin and can cause infection when the skin is compromised, often leading to itchiness, redness, sores, and hair loss. This is one of the most frequent sites for staph infection in dogs.
Ear infections: Staph is a common cause of otitis externa or inflammation of the outer ear canal. Signs include head shaking, scratching at the ears, discharge, and foul odor. These infections can be very painful and irritating for dogs.
Urinary tract infections: Staph bacteria can infect the bladder and urethra, causing dysuria or difficulty urinating. There may be frequent urination, blood in the urine, and crying or straining when trying to urinate. Urinary tract staph infections are more common in female dogs.
Wound infections: Any break in the skin can allow staph bacteria to enter and cause infection. Signs may include swelling, redness, heat, pain, and pus. Staph is a common cause of post-operative wound infections in dogs.
Symptoms of Staph in Dogs
Staph infections in dogs can cause a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common include:
Pustules and Papules: These are pus-filled bumps or pimple-like lesions that may develop on the skin, often appearing in clusters. They indicate inflammation and bacterial infection in the skin’s deeper layers.
Itching: Dogs with staph will often excessively lick, bite and scratch at infected areas due to intense itching sensations. The pustules and papules can be very irritating.
Hair Loss and Crusting: Infected areas may start to lose hair and develop crusty scabs as the infection damages the skin. There may be redness and swelling around infected hair follicles.
Foul Odor: One of the more distinctive symptoms of a staph infection is a foul, rancid odor coming from infected skin. This is caused by the bacteria multiplying and the discharge of pus. Dogs with staph may have a noticeable stench.
Swelling and Redness: The skin surrounding staph lesions often becomes red and swollen as inflammation sets in. This can occur across multiple areas if the infection spreads.
In severe cases, dogs may develop draining sores, widespread lesions, fevers, lethargy and loss of appetite. Staph can be stubborn to treat if not caught early, so it’s important to look for symptoms before the infection worsens.
Diagnosing Staph Infections
There are a few different ways vets can diagnose a staph infection in dogs:
Veterinary Exam
During a physical exam, the vet will look for signs of a staph infection like redness, swelling, warmth, and discharge around a wound or skin. They will check the nose, mouth, ears, and anus for sores or irritation. Vets also look for symptoms like fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite that signal an infection.
Skin Cytology
The vet may take a skin sample by lightly scraping the surface of the affected area onto a glass slide. This sample is stained and examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria. Seeing high numbers of staph bacteria indicates an infection.
Bacterial Culture
For a bacterial culture, the vet takes a swab or small tissue sample from the infected area. This sample is cultured in a lab to allow any bacteria present to multiply. Testing the cultured sample identifies the specific staph bacteria involved, which allows for selection of the most effective antibiotic treatment.
Treating Staph Infections in Dogs
If a dog is diagnosed with a Staph infection, treatment typically involves:
- Antibiotics – Antibiotics like cephalexin are commonly prescribed to treat Staph infections. The type of antibiotic and length of treatment will depend on the type and severity of infection.
- Antimicrobial shampoos – Medicated shampoos with chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide can help treat skin infections and reduce bacteria on the skin when used routinely.
- Topical medications – Topical antibiotic ointments or creams may be prescribed for localized skin infections.
- Surgery for abscesses – If a Staph infection leads to an abscess under the skin, it may need to be surgically drained and flushed.
It’s important to follow veterinary recommendations and complete the full course of treatment. Even if symptoms resolve, stopping treatment early can allow the infection to return. To prevent spreading infections, dogs should be bathed and have any wounds covered until fully healed.
Preventing Staph Infections
There are several steps dog owners can take to help prevent staph infections in their pets:
Practice Good Hygiene
Keeping your dog’s environment clean is important to reduce exposure to staph bacteria. Regularly wash bedding, toys, food bowls, and other items your dog contacts. Groom your dog regularly to keep their coat and skin clean. Bathe dogs after they’ve been in public places where they may have picked up bacteria. Avoid sharing personal items like towels or blankets with your pet.
Prompt Wound Care
Clean and disinfect any wounds, cuts or scrapes right away to prevent infection. Seek prompt veterinary care for more serious injuries. Keep the wound covered until fully healed. Check often for signs of infection like swelling, redness, odor or discharge.
Boost Immune Health
A strong immune system helps fight off infection. Make sure your dog maintains a nutritious diet and ideal body weight. Supplements like probiotics and fish oil can also support immune function. Reduce stress when possible. Stay current on vaccines and flea/tick prevention.
When to See a Veterinarian
If your dog has a staph infection, it’s important to monitor them closely and know when to seek veterinary care. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to take your dog to the vet:
Persistent infections – If your dog’s staph infection doesn’t clear up with proper at-home treatment within a few days, take them to the vet. Persistent staph can lead to serious complications.
Spreading redness/swelling – Watch for redness, swelling, and tenderness spreading from the original infection site. This could signal the staph is worsening.
Loss of appetite, lethargy – If your dog seems more tired than usual or loses interest in food, see your vet promptly. These can be signs of systemic illness.
Fever – If you notice your dog has a fever along with other staph infection symptoms, they need medical attention. Staph can lead to dangerous secondary infections if left untreated.
In general, it’s better to be safe than sorry. At the first signs of a worsening or persistent staph infection in your dog, call your veterinarian. Prompt treatment can help prevent complications and relieve your dog’s discomfort.
Staph Infection Risk Factors
Staph infections tend to occur more frequently in dogs that have certain risk factors or compromised health conditions. The most common risk factors for staph infections in dogs include:
Compromised immune system – Dogs with weakened immune systems from diseases like cancer or autoimmune disorders are more prone to getting staph infections. Their body’s defenses are lowered, making it harder to fight off bacteria.
Allergies – Dogs with skin allergies or other allergic conditions often have irritated skin that provides an opening for staph bacteria to enter. The bacteria can then more easily penetrate the skin barrier and cause an infection.
Poor sanitation – Unsanitary living conditions, lack of grooming, or skin damage can allow staph bacteria to thrive. Open wounds or unclean fur and skin create opportunities for bacteria to grow. Maintaining good hygiene is key for prevention.
Ensuring dogs stay healthy through proper nutrition, grooming, and care can help reduce their susceptibility to staph infections. However, some risk factors like genetics or medical conditions may be unavoidable. Consulting a veterinarian can help assess and manage any risks.
Staph Infections in Humans
Staph infections can sometimes spread between dogs and humans through close contact. Humans are just as susceptible to staph as dogs. Some key things to know about staph infections in humans include:
Transmissibility – Staph is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact, shared surfaces/objects, coughing, sneezing, or skin-to-skin contact. Humans can catch staph from infected dogs through petting, playing, or being licked. Good hygiene practices like hand washing can help reduce transmission.
Prevention – Keeping wounds clean and covered, washing hands frequently, avoiding shared personal items, disinfecting surfaces, and proper wound care will help prevent staph infections. If you or your dog has a staph infection, avoid close contact until it’s fully treated.
Symptoms – Look for red, swollen, warm skin, pus-filled sores or rashes, fevers, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue. Staph can lead to more serious conditions like pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, and sepsis if left untreated. Seek medical care if you notice signs of infection.
While staph transmission between dogs and humans is possible, proper precautions and hygiene can greatly reduce risk. Monitor your dog’s skin for signs of staph and see your doctor if you develop symptoms after contact with an infected dog.
Summary
Staphylococcus bacteria, known as staph, are common germs found on dog skin. While most dogs live in harmony with staph, the bacteria can cause skin and tissue infections if conditions allow it to overgrow.
Some of the most common signs of a staph infection in dogs include skin redness, itching, pustules, crusting, and hair loss. Staph tends to emit a rancid odor that owners may notice. Diagnosis is made through skin cytology, culture, and biopsy. Treatment involves antibiotic therapy, antimicrobial shampoos, and keeping the skin clean and dry.
Preventing staph largely comes down to skin health. Bathing dogs regularly, treating underlying allergies, and avoiding excessive moisture on the skin can help keep staph under control. Pet owners should contact a vet if signs of infection arise for proper diagnosis and care.
While staph can be problematic for dogs, these bacteria generally pose low risk to human health. Proper hand washing and hygiene around pets can further reduce transmission risks. Overall, staph infections in dogs can be well managed with veterinary oversight.