The Staphylococcus bacteria, commonly refereed to as staph, is present on the skin of nearly all dogs, usually without causing any problems. Sometimes, though, a health issue with the dog can irritate the skin and allow the staph bacteria to multiply out of control. At that point, it becomes a skin staph infection, sometimes referred to as pyoderma. The infection can leave itchy, crusty scabs or pimply-looking lesions on the skin, and can even lead to hair loss in extreme cases. Seeking prompt treatment will help your dog recover as quickly as possible
Things You'll Need
- Prescription oral antibiotics
- Prescription topical skin ointment
Instructions
Take your dog to the vet. Before you can treat your pet's staph infection, you must first make sure that you have a correct diagnosis. Usually, the vet will take a biopsy of the affected skin and view it under a microscope.
Find the underlying cause. Staph bacteria doesn't typically cause infection in healthy animals. Allergies, immune-system problems, hypothyroidism and reaction to chemicals are all possible causes of a runaway staph infection on your dog's skin. Talk to your vet about further testing to discover the root of the problem, so your treatment plan can be more effective.
Treat with antibiotics. Regardless of the cause, skin staph infections will require the use of antibiotics. Cephalexin is commonly prescribed, and for difficult infections, sometimes stronger sulfa drugs are indicated. Antibiotics may need to be administered for a period of up to 6 weeks to fully ensure the infection has cleared.
Treat topically. Besides using antibiotics, hit the infection extra hard by applying an external antibacterial cream, ointment or shampoo directly to the affected skin.
Treat the suspected underlying condition. For allergies, try to eliminate the source of the allergy from your dog's environment, and likewise for chemicals that may be bothering your pet. Talk to your vet about running allergy tests or doing an elimination diet. If an immune disease exists, ask your vet which treatments may help prevent another flareup in the future. Thyroid medication can be given if your dog turns out to be hypothyroid.