Symptoms of Staph Infections in a Pot Belly Pig

MRSA infections, commonly referred to as staph infections, can affect humans and animals alike. Pigs have proven to be especially prone to staph infections. It's not easy to identify staph in pigs because not all infections show symptoms--and symptoms that do appear can range from very mild to very severe. Risk factors for MRSA include a weakened immune system, an open wound or contact with a human or animal carrying MRSA. Contact your veterinarian if your pig develops any possible symptoms of a staph infection, because MRSA can be passed from animals to humans and vice-versa. Staph infections also can be fatal for humans and animals.

  1. No Symptoms

    • A human or animal that has MRSA but does not show any symptoms of infection is considered to be "colonized." According to the Virginia Department of Health, "people and pets can carry MRSA on their skin or in their nose and have no outward signs of illness." The Virginia Department of Health says that "encounters with carriers usually do not result in infection and clinical illness."

    Skin Infection

    • Much like the case with humans, staph infections in pigs will commonly show as skin infections. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, staph in pigs can show up as an infection at the site of a wound or recent surgery or as a basic skin infection. Signs of skin infections can include redness, warmth or pus at the site of the infection. Consider staph as a possible problem when an animal's wound does not heal.

      If your pig is showing signs of a skin infection and you have reason to believe the animal has been exposed to MSRA, contact your animal's veterinarian.

    Pneumonia

    • Staph infections may present by causing pneumonia in pigs. Texas A&M University lists symptoms of pig pneumonia as thumping (shallow, rapid breathing), coughing, lethargy, fever and cough. The pig may also have pneumonia if it is refusing to eat.

      If your pig is showing these symptoms, get veterinary care as quickly as possible. Pneumonia in pigs can be fatal, and if the cause is MRSA, humans treating the animal may become infected through physical contact with the sick animal.