What is Staph Infection?
Staphylococcus bacteria are also naturally present in humans, and a feline staph infection has a chance of spreading to humans. However, spread of the disease only occurs between organisms with weakened or compromised immune systems. Even so, good hygiene, particularly frequent hand washing, should be practiced as a preventative measure.
Staphylococcus bacteria are naturally present in the skin of cats. Staph infection may result when a cat becomes injured, suffers an allergic reaction in the skin (such as a flea infestation), or develops a weakened immune system for another reason. The opportunistic nature of the Staphylococcus bacteria may lead to it take advantage of a weakened immune system and cause infection.
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Symptoms of Staph Infection in Cats
The symptoms of staph infection in cats may appear similar to those of ringworm. While cats are notorious for hiding illness from their owners, cats infected by Staphylococcus will almost always show symptoms. In any case, seek immediate veterinary attention as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Circle or pimple-shaped lesions on the skin*
- Excessive itching or biting of inflamed skin
- Signs of pain
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Evidence of infections in other parts of the body
*Do not touch any lesions on the skin with your bare hands, as there is a small chance the disease can spread to humans. Even though staph infection typically won’t spread through contact with a lesion, it may spread to individuals with a compromised immune system.
Causes of Staph Infection in Cats
The primary cause of staph infection in cats is a weakened immune system. Since the bacteria are already present in the body, they will not cause an infection unless they have an opportunity to.
Skin allergies are often a source of staph infection in cats. The disease may also be airborne or spread through consuming contaminated food. Staph infection may also develop when the cat scratches or licks at its skin excessively. Cats that are particularly young or old have a higher chance of developing a staph infection.
Diagnosis of Staph Infection in Cats
The vet can make a tentative diagnosis based on the appearance of the lesions and the presentation of symptoms. Be sure to inform your vet of any skin allergies your cat has, as well as any recent flea infestations that may have caused the infection. The vet will make a tentative diagnosis by examining the lesion more closely, using a biopsy or bacterial culture. The vet may also take a skin scraping to rule out other infections as a cause. The vet must identify the underlying cause, or else the infection is likely to return following treatment.
Treatment of Staph Infection in Cats
Treatment of staph infection usually involves a course of antibiotics. Special antibacterial shampoos may also be prescribed to help heal lesions on the skin. If the cat’s immune system is particularly weak, the vet may prescribe drugs that will help boost the immune system and fight off infection.
Other treatment methods may vary depending on the underlying cause of the infection. If a flea infestation has caused the infection, your vet will use flea medication to eradicate the infestation. The underlying cause must be treated, or else the infection will recur.
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Recovery of Staph Infection in Cats
Recovery and prognosis will depend on the underlying cause. Always follow your vet’s post-treatment instructions carefully. Antibiotic regimens typically last from six to eight weeks. It is imperative that you administer the medication for the entire recommended duration of treatment, even if the infection starts to clear up. Failure to do so could result in aggressive recurrence and spread of the infection.
In some cases, the infection will recur even if the underlying cause is treated. This is usually a sign that your cat has Staphylococcus hypersensitivity, or an allergy to the bacteria. This condition is not the same as a staph infection and will require more aggressive and potentially long-term treatment.
Certain types of staph infection are resistant to antibiotics. If your cat’s symptoms aren’t going away even with antibiotic treatment or if the condition appears to be getting worse, you’ll need to consult your vet right away. They will be able to advise you on a customized treatment plan.
Staph infection may be prevented through good hygiene and sanitation measures. Always ensure that your cat is clean and kept free of fleas. Monthly flea medications may be recommended or prescribed by your vet. If you live in a multi-cat household, be aware that staph infection is contagious to a degree. It may be a good idea to keep the infected cat separated from your other cats until the infection clears up.
Staph Infection Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Staph Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Siamese
Dream
15 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Conjunctivitis
We just euthanized one of our cats, Romeo, Siamese, who had a MDR MRSA biofilm in his sinuses, likely 2/2 a dental infection. We had a becscreen done with some combination drugs but treatment failed with gentamycin combos which showed sensitivity. We are a multi-cat household. One of our other cats who liked to groom him has developed serisanguinous eye drainage. We started a course of cipro drops but the drainage is still there. Recommendations on an eye treatment? Remaining 3 cats and people are healthy.
Jan. 7, 2018
2 Recommendations
If a course of ciprofloxacin drops were not successful, then there are alternative treatments available; but given Romeo’s history with resistance, I would tread carefully with Dream. You should try culture and sensitivity testing with Dream before switching to another treatment, if there is any antibiotic resistant infection we need to manage it accordingly. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 8, 2018
Is it better to keep the wound covered? It's gone away almost completely 3 times now then he starts licking and biting it and opens it right back up and it's really bad again overnight
June 24, 2018
Sophia M.
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Persian
Sophia
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching, Sores
How can our pet sitter take care of our cat with a staff infection and make sure she doesn't spread the infection to the other pets she sits for? What precautions do we take to make sure our other cats don't get this?
Jan. 2, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm not sure if Sophia has a simple Staph infection, or a MRSA infection. If it is a simple Staph infection, simple washing of hands and basic hygiene will suffice, as those are not directly contagious, and Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin inhabitant
If it is a MRSA infection, those are not common in cats, but people can acquire MRSA from pets — and vice versa, though this form of transmission is not common either. If Sophia has an active MRSA infection, the bacteria can be transmitted to humans and other animals either by direct contact with the infected area or contaminated items, such as bedding. A colonized animal often carries the bacteria around the nose and anus, so people should be vigilant about washing and sanitizing their hands after touching pets or picking up feces.
Jan. 2, 2018
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Siamese
Eli
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Personality Change
Lesion
My cat started with a small pink spot with missing hair by his tail. He licks it often and its now turned into a quarter sized leison. For the most part everything else seems normal expect for the fact that hes a indoor outdoor cat that loves to hunt rats and wont leave the house at all now. He is also more needy for attetion then normal. Is it possiable for it to ne staph or just a wound he wont stop messing with?
Oct. 3, 2017
0 Recommendations
Excessive licking of a particular spot can lead to it becoming more inflamed (lick granuloma comes to mind); any excessive attention can also lead to secondary infection which may be from a variety of different bacterial pathogens. Try to stop Eli from licking the spot by placing a cone on her and bath the spot with dilute chlorhexidine; if you see no improvement visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 3, 2017
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Staph Infection Average Cost
From 356 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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