MRSA is a skin infection that can occur in dogs. The bacteria that causes MRSA is found in the nose and on the skin of healthy dogs. If this bacteria enters the dog's body through a cut or wound infection, the dog might develop symptoms of MRSA. People can develop MRSA as well as dogs and it can be a serious medical condition.
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Identification
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The term MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The strains of the MRSA bacteria may be carried by healthy dogs and develop into serious infections when entering the dog's body through the skin. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the first report of an animal infected with MRSA was in 1972 and involved a dairy cow. Aggressive strains of this bacteria are now being found in dogs and often cause hard-to-treat wound infections.
Complications
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There are many complications with the development of MRSA in dogs. These complications might include wound infections and skin infections. Dogs that develop this condition might also be at risk for MRSA entering the bloodstream and causing sepsis (a serious infection). MRSA can be a life-threatening infection for both dogs and humans.
Risk Factors
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According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are several factors that might put some dogs at an increased risk of developing MRSA. These factors include living with an immunocompromised person, living with human health-care workers and living with veterinary workers. Dogs that are used for therapeutic purposes and visit nursing homes, hospitals and assisted-living facilities are also at an increased risk of developing this serious condition.
Symptoms
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MRSA can occur in dogs without causing any adverse health effects. Some dogs do not develop symptoms or become sick. When dogs do show symptoms, the most common symptom of MRSA in dogs is severe and recurrent skin infections. Wound infections are also a symptom of MRSA in dogs, especially at surgical incision sites. Pneumonia is another symptom of this condition in dogs.
Diagnosis And Treatment
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A veterinarian might perform a nasal swab to determine if the dog is a carrier of the MRSA bacteria. It might be necessary to isolate the dog from humans in order to prevent spreading the infection. For dogs with skin wounds or infections, a topical antibiotic cream to fight the infection might be prescribed along with oral antibiotics.
Considerations
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MRSA is a highly contagious condition that might spread to an infected dog's owner. In order to avoid contracting MRSA, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that you wash your hands frequently with soap and water, keep cuts covered, be careful when tending your dog's wounds and clean any objects an infected dog has come into contact with.
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