Staph Dermatitis

Staph dermatitis in dogs is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus. While it can also infect the ears, staph infections most often affect the skin.

  1. Identification

    • Dogs with a staph dermatitis will present with skin lesions. These lesions, often small, can be red or filled with pus. Hair loss is common as well as a crust that forms over the lesion.

    Function

    • Staph bacteria enters the dog's body via open wounds. Once inside the body, the bacteria will multiply and create an infection.

    Types

    • While these open wounds can be caused by an injury, they also can be brought on by excessive scratching due to an allergic reaction.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Dogs with staph dermatitis are most often treated with antibiotics. These are given orally and are used anywhere from three to six weeks.

    Considerations

    • Dogs with staph infections are not infectious to humans or other pets, according to Pawprints and Purrs.