Staphylococcus, also known as staph, is a group of bacteria commonly associated with infections of the ears and the skin. In extremely rare cases, an infection can occur in the eyes or nose of the dog as well.
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Staph Dermatitis
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Staph bacteria enter the skin through an open wound, quickly multiply and cause an infection. This is the most common form of a staph infection in a dog.
Symptoms
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Skin lesions, the most common symptom of staph dermatitis, may be small, red and pus-filled, similar to a pimple, or circular and red with crusty edges and hair loss within the crust border.
Cause
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When a dog has an allergy, excessive itching can cause an open wound where the staph bacteria enter and is one of the main causes of a skin staph infection.
Staph Allergies
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If staph dermatitis is reoccurring, then an allergy to staph bacteria---staph hypersensitivity---may be present. Staph dermatitis can be treated and may not reoccur, whereas staph allergies cause reoccurring staph infections.
Staph Ear Infections
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Another common staph infection is an ear infection, particularly common in floppy-eared dogs. Staph bacteria builds up in the ear, causing an infection. For many dogs, staph ear infections are reoccurring.
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