Methicillin Resistant Staph bacterial skin infections are getting worse every year in our pet dogs and cats. Almost always, these patients have been treated with too many steroids and their allergies have never been identified or controlled. Most patients are not long-term carriers like people with MRSA can be; so once the bacterial skin infection is cleared in the dog or cat, they are not at risk for contagion.
It is essential, if you pet dog or cat has a bacterial skin infection, to identify and treat the underlying allergies. Allergy skin testing and allergy vaccine therapy or Atopica work well to control the immune reaction causing the allergic dermatitis in most dogs and cats.
Make sure to wash your hands and protect any and all people how have a weakened immune system from possible contagion.
May
MRStaph Guidelines and suggestions, (we are approaching crisis levels):
a. Download and follow the CDC hygiene guideline for MRSA
b. Culture dogs if
1. The family has a history of MRSA
2. Anyone in the family is immunosuppressed or at risk
3. A long history of steroids use
4. Previous FQ antibiotics used in the previous 3 months
5. Discuss 5% zoonosis contagion risk rate
6. If using steroids or FQ consider signed disclosure risk statements