Staphylococci (also known as "staph") is a bacteria that can cause mild to severe infections in dogs. While most cases of staph can easily be treated, some can progress into more serious and devastating diseases. Identifying the signs of a staph infection in your dog can help prevent more serious issues from arising.
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Staph Bacteria
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Many people are surprised to know that staph bacteria are commonplace on the skin of dogs, cats and even humans. Staphylococci are considered to be opportunist bacteria, meaning that they multiply when given an opportunity. For example, a cut or an open wound can provide the bacteria with an inroad to enter the body and multiply, causing an infection. Two common forms of staph infections exist in dogs: skin infections and ear infections.
Skin Infections
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One common skin infection involving staph is known as staph dermatitis. Staph dermatitis occurs when the skin becomes inflamed and the staph bacteria are given an opportunity to multiply. This often occurs in dogs who are suffering from other skin issues such as dry skin or allergies. In dogs, allergies cause mild to severe itching, which recreates irritated skin and open wounds in which the staph bacteria can enter.
In rare cases, dogs may have an allergic reaction to the staph bacteria. This is known as staph hypersensitivity and causes skin lesions that can become extremely irritated and fill with pus or fluid. Staph hypersensitivity has the potential to become a chronic issue of repetitive staph infections in a dog and can be quite frustrating for both dog and caretaker.
Treatment
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For standard staph skin infections, oral antibiotics are often administered for up to six weeks. Also, many shampoos, topical creams, ointments and sprays can provide itching relief and combat the staph bacteria simultaneously. In the case of staph hypersensitivity, underlying conditions may be contributing to the disease, so it is important to determine and treat these as well. Antibiotics may be given and immune stimulants are often used as a long-term treatment option to help prevent staph from multiplying.
Ear Infections
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Ear infections can occur at any point on the ear and often start in the outer ear before progressing to the middle and inner portions of the ear. Most commonly, ear infections are caused by staph bacteria or by yeast bacteria. When staph bacteria is given the opportunity to multiply in a dog's ear, it can cause pain, shaking of the head, and discharge which may be blood, crusty, or pus-like. In severe cases, dogs can suffer from partial hearing loss to total deafness, facial paralysis or a loss of balance.
Treatment
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In mild ear infections, oral antibiotics are combined with topical antibiotics to kill the staph bacteria. If underlying conditions are present, such as tumors or allergies, those also must be treated. In severe infections, surgical treatment may be necessary, involving opening the ear and flushing it out with a solution. Some dogs may require parts of the ear removed to help treat chronic ear infections. In rare cases, the dog may need to have the entire ear canal removed and closed in order to stop chronic ear infections.
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