What are Staph Infections?
You’re probably here to find an answer to the question, can a dog get a staph infection? That answer is yes, absolutely they can — and this guide will explain more.
Staphylococcus infections are the most common skin problems in canines, but in worst-case scenarios they can be very serious.
Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria that tend to live in and around the genitals, eyes, nose and mouth of a dog (and a human). In itself, Staphylococcus is nothing to worry about; it helps form part of the healthy microbiome in an animal.
What’s less healthy is when an infection in this bacteria takes hold. Whenever your dog has a cut, they will be at risk of the Staphylococcus entering the wound and infecting it. If their immune system is compromised and they become ill, pathogenic bacteria in the skin can overwhelm the healthy bacteria and cause infection.
But it’s a mistake to think that staph infections are just irritations on the skin. They can also occur in the spinal cord, the brain, the heart, the kidneys, the urinary system, and the reproductive organs. In these instances, you may notice that your dog has a fever and is unusually weak.
As with all conditions, the best precaution if you’re at all worried is to call your vet and explain what’s happening, giving them your dog’s dermatological history so that they can offer advice and examine your dog if they need to. In order to confirm a diagnosis, they will probably recommend tests like a skin cytology.
Staph Infections Average Cost
From 110 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$450
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Staph Infections in Dogs
Your dog won’t display all of these symptoms, of course, but it’s worth noting that the features of a staph infection can be numerous and wide-ranging. Look out for any of these tell-tale staph infection in dogs:
- Fever
- Inflammation near a wound — this is painful and sometimes hot to the touch
- Itchiness
- Pus around the wound
- Coughing or particular difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Crusting or scaling of the wound
- Loss of appetite
- Skin lesions
- Atopic dermatitis
Can humans get a staph infection from a dog?
You might be wondering, can I get a staph infection from my dog? Unfortunately, yes — a dog staph infection can be contagious, but it happens so rarely in humans that in the vast majority of cases you needn’t be worried about it.
It’s also possible that dogs can get a staph infection from humans, so it’s advisable to act quickly if you suspect an infection.
It’s also possible that dogs can get a staph infection from humans, so it’s advisable to act quickly if you suspect an infection.
If your dog develops a staph infection that needs treatment, does your pet insurance cover the cost? Use our fast comparison tool to get quotes from leading pet insurance providers.
Causes of Staph Infections in Dogs
First of all — staph infections in dogs are completely normal and it’s worth pointing out that most of the time they aren’t scary at all.
So, what causes staph infections in dogs? Well, there are a range of causes as to how dogs get staph infections, including:
- An existing fungal or bacterial infection in the blood
- A pre-existing chronic or debilitating disease
- Allergies that make a dog vulnerable to infection
- Contaminated material entering the body through the eyes, mouth, nose, or stomach
- An infected wound, scrape or cut
- An operation, performed on your dog, with equipment that had not been properly sterilized
Licking and staph infections in dogs
It’s no surprise therefore that there are more staph infections in dogs with allergies and in dogs who are plagued by fleas, as these are conditions that cause dogs to scratch themselves.
Staph infections in puppies
If your furry friend is a young puppy — or an older dog — they will be slightly more likely to contract a staph infection because their immune system won’t be as strong. Labrador retrievers, American and French bulldogs, shar-peis and pitbull-type breeds are some of the breeds with a slightly higher chance of developing the infection.
Staph infections are secondary infections so it’s important that the vet does their best to discern the primary cause in case the staph infection returns with a vengeance.
Diagnosis of Staph Infections in Dogs
While most of the bacteria that cause staph infections are basically harmless, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the few that can cause a nasty infection in almost any part of your dog’s body.
While dogs, like humans, can get MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), it’s methicillin-resistant Staph pseudintermedius (helpfully shortened to MRSP) that concerns vets more because it’s more common.
While dogs, like humans, can get MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), it’s methicillin-resistant Staph pseudintermedius (helpfully shortened to MRSP) that concerns vets more because it’s more common.
In MRSA and MRSP, the bacteria is becoming resistant to antibiotics, making the infection much harder to treat. This may leave vets with no option but to perform surgery — a serious course of action that’s always best avoided if possible.
Of course, surgery is far better than the alternative: if you don’t treat a staph infection, it can lead to far more serious problems like blood poisoning, organ infections, and sometimes death.
If you have any concerns at all about your dog’s health, always consult a vet. A wellness plan covers the cost of vet examinations and routine appointments. Check out the wellness plan options available to you in addition to your standard pet insurance.
Treatment of Staph Infections in Dogs
Because staph infections are topical, the more mild examples can be treated with remedies like ointments, creams, sprays and shampoos. But a lot of the time — sometimes as well as, not just instead — a vet will use antibiotics to stop the infection spreading.
These drugs will usually be administered over a period of three to six weeks and you must stick to a schedule when administering them; if you don’t, the antibiotics may do more harm than good.
They tend to be taken orally at home but can sometimes be administered via an injection in hospital. A vet may also insert a stent to drain excess fluid.
They tend to be taken orally at home but can sometimes be administered via an injection in hospital. A vet may also insert a stent to drain excess fluid.
What you shouldn’t forget is that in the scenario that your dog has a type of Staphylococcus that has become resistant to antibiotics — as multiple strains of the bacteria have — the drugs won’t be a simple course of action.
Your vet may prescribe a course of multiple antibiotics or have to perform surgery on your dog in order to remove the infected tissue from the animal’s body.
Your vet may prescribe a course of multiple antibiotics or have to perform surgery on your dog in order to remove the infected tissue from the animal’s body.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Staph Infections in Dogs
Generally, if all has gone well, the antibiotics are administered correctly, and the dog is kept clean and in a sanitary environment, it will take between several days and a couple of weeks for your furry friend to be completely back to normal after suffering a staph infection of the skin.
While they’re recovering, ensure that they are eating and drinking regularly — If you need any information on good-quality dog food, our friends at Dog Food Advisor will be able to help you.)
With an internal dog staph infection affecting tissue and organs, however, it’s a little more complicated. While the chance of recovery is still significant, sometimes antibiotics don’t solve internal staph infections by themselves — hence the need for interventions like surgery.
If you want more guidance on canine health conditions and anything else dog-related, check out the Wag! app and get expert advice at your fingertips in seconds.
Cost of Staph Infections in Dogs
Staph infections can most commonly be a skin infection or an internal infection. For most staph infections classified as skin infections, the veterinarian will prescribe an antibiotic cream (Mupirocin $15 on average) to help combat the infection.
The veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics ($10-$30) as well. If the staph infection is caused by an internal infection then there could be more extensive treatments done. In addition to oral antibiotics ($10-$30), the veterinarian may combat the internal infection with stents ($100-$130) to drain any fluid buildup. Surgery ($1,000-$2,500) may also be an option in order to remove any necrotic tissue.
The veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics ($10-$30) as well. If the staph infection is caused by an internal infection then there could be more extensive treatments done. In addition to oral antibiotics ($10-$30), the veterinarian may combat the internal infection with stents ($100-$130) to drain any fluid buildup. Surgery ($1,000-$2,500) may also be an option in order to remove any necrotic tissue.
Staph Infections Average Cost
From 110 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$450
Top
Staph Infections Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bull Terrier
Paris
6
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pustules
Skin Swelling
Pustules All Over Feet Face Legs And Head
My dog has MRSP & has been receiving treatment for a year & it's getting worse! We are going having to see another specialist, but she is in pain & I hate seeing her suffer. What are the chances this will be healed?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
MRSP (Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) infections are not necessarily more severe than garden variety Staphylococcus infections, but are difficult to treat if not treated promptly. Correct identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing (may show susceptibility to some antibiotics during testing but resistant during treatment). Statistically, if a suitable treatment is found, treatment can be measured over a period of weeks; I wouldn’t like to give a prognosis on Paris’ case due to the nature of the infection. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22364681
July 26, 2017
Hi Dr Callum,
Paris has been tested 3 times & tried antibiotics. They work for a little while then they stop working. Her current antibiotics have made her vomit & have diarrhoea so I have stopped them in the advice of our vet until we see the new specialist on Monday. It is so heart breaking seeing her like this :(
Thank you for your response!
July 26, 2017
Paris's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
German Shorthaired Pointer
Roscoe
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Skin Irritation, Itching Scratching
Our dog gets cysts that are some kind of staph infection. He has at least 30 to 40 of these cysts all over his body. When one bursts he gets fluid buildup. What can be done for this condition? The vet gives us antibiotics but the cysts never go away.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
An important question is are the cysts sebaceous cysts which get infected by Staph or are the cysts caused by Staph? Topical creams and systemic antibiotics are the best course of treatment, culture and sensitivity to identify a suitable antibiotic may be required if the prescribed antibiotics are in effective. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
pitbull
Buddy
8wks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ciproflaxin
Lumps Under Chin.Face Swollen Like Fever Bl7Ste
Wat else can i do he is just so weak
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Treatment of Staphylococcus can be a long process over a few weeks (three to four), depending on the type of lesions topical creams and medicated shampoos may help when used in conjunction with systemic antibiotics. Ensuring Buddy stays hydrated and is receiving an adequate amount of food is important. A discussion with your Veterinarian about other options would be useful. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
gsd
rex
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tierd, Itch, Scratch, Biting, Hair Loss From Thi
my gsd is 10 since we moved from ill to tn he has severe allergies he gets a med bath weekly and the new ac1 injection every 30 days yet he is getting staph!!!!! hes on simplicef 200mg 1.5 a day for 10 days. question how is he getting staph?? my house is spotless i am obsessive with it and i use clorox/water mix on floors and keep their beds washed weekly or as needed. the area for them to potty in is limestone gravel. my vet and i are ready to pull our hair out we can not figure this out please help.. is there a test that i can do in my house or should i use a different vet grade cleaner. im desperate please help us.. he is crabby, tired, sore, no energy hes up all night digging at himself.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are a variety of environmental tests (designed for the food industry) which you could carry out in your home, but if Rex is still getting infections, short of putting him in a bubble I cannot see the benefit of them; environmental pathogens are all around, it is just a case of keeping them at bay. I cannot think of any reason for the recurrence apart from the effectiveness of the antibiotic, short of performing sensitivity testing on the Staphylococcus to determine a more effective antibiotic, I cannot think of anything further, I am sorry I cannot be more useful. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Staph Infections Average Cost
From 110 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$450
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
