Mrsa

[jordansmom]

Has anyone's newf had a skin culture & sensitivity done and the results came back with the MRSA staph infection? If yes, what was the treatment modality? Were there any topicals that proved effective in treating this infection?

 

[Bojie]

Oh Jeez! I'm a human nurse, and only heard this happening with humans, where MRSA is considered a hospital acquired infection. In humans heavy duty antibiotics are the course of treatment. I'm sorry I can't help with the treatment for dogs, but thinking of you and hope this clears up quickly!

 

[louienewf]

I am also a human nurse in a MICU we test everyone who is admitted for it. It stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphyolococcus aureus. This strain of the common "staph" bacteria causes infections in different parts of the body - including the skin, lungs, and other areas. MRSA is sometimes called a "superbug" because it is resistant to many antibiotics. Though most MRSA infections aren't serious, some can be life-threatening.

 

[Lori]

We had one case in our elementary school where I work about two years ago with a child. We did a lot more hand sanitizing and cleaned the lunchroom tables and benches with bleach water after the kids were done eating. The child is fine now.

 

[Sheila B.]

Not meant to frighten or worry you :shuffle: (and, yes MRSA is certainly treatable) but in people MRSA is highly contagious and treated in hospitalized patients with IV antibiotics. The most common treatment in humans is a combination of Bactrim and Clindamycin (oral). It is very important to maintain good hand hygiene, wash, wash, wash hands. Anything (sheets, towels, etc.) that he may lie on should be washed with bleach on hottest setting in washing machine. Can be spread by skin to skin contact. Am unaware of topicals for treatment, but if your vet suggests something to apply directly, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after each application. Hand sanitizers important for family members. MRSA is the name of the bacteria that causes the disease/infection and can be transferred animal to human and vice versa. :zzz: Too much information?

 

[padkins]

Sending you healing wishes! :hugs:

 

[victoria1140]

all washing needs doing on a high temperature as well over 75 degrees celsius as below this it is difficult to kill bugs

also even if it is the mrsa strain it may just materialise as a general staph infection. definetly lots of hand washing and sanitisation needed though

 

[NewfMom]

Just sending a :hugs:.

There were several cases of this in the nursing home where Kimber and I visited although thankfully neither of us picked it up. The precautions there were using gloves for dealing with body waste or blood. For washing, I also used Clorox II since it has peroxide for washing clothes that couldn't take bleach. I'm not a medical person but did ask a couple of people for advice when I found out the main person we visited had this.

 

[Sierra Newfs]

Christie Keith dealt with this in her Borzoi a couple of years ago and has information up at Pet Connection.

Superbug Bites Dog and Superbug Bites Dog, the Sequel
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/03/superbug-bites-dog/
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/02/02/suberbug-bites-dog-the-sequel/

MRSI: An interview with Laura Stokking PhD., DVM, DACVD, on resistant staph infections in pets
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/mrsi-laura-stokking/

Spring is for superbugs: New perspectives on managing canine chronic MRSI skin infections
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/03/30/spring-is-for-superbugs/

MRSA infections increasing in frequency; owner transmission a factor by Kim Campbell Thornton
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2...ing-in-frequency-owner-transmission-a-factor/

 

[Sheila B.]

Great links, thank you for posting all this information.

 

[jordansmom]

Very interesting and informative articles. I saw the culture report last week and one of the bacteria definitely was methicillin resistant staph. I didn't know there were two kinds, so I didn't see the last word whether it was the "A" or the "I". But the vet had prescribed an injectable antibiotic for one week and now we're just watching his skin. This particular injectable is used for canine UTI's, the name I can't seem to recall right now. All I know is for the past 4 years Jordan has had his share of skin infections from allergies and they were treated with various antibiotics until those antibiotics weren't effective so the vet prescribed new ones. Just this January I had finally had enough and switched Jordan to a raw diet and after much trial and error, and a blood allergen test, discovered that Jordan can only handle one protein, and that's turkey. I've also had him on a yeast detox which has worked wonders and cleared up alot of "elephantitis" skin. Then about July I don't know what happened, but he broke out in hot spots all over his right side. The only connection that I can think of is he received vaccinations June and July. Its been a very rough emotional roller coaster for me because we also discovered his severe hip dysplasia/arthritis a few months ago. Seriously, he showed no major symptoms of that condition until I started to hear popping sounds from his right hip when he jogged. Anyways, back to the skin. He was shaved in so many places he started to look like a patchwork quilt. The antibiotics did clear up the spots and what looked like residual stubborn blackened skin. Hopefully by next January with the raw diet and natural supplementations his immune system may be stronger and I'll have a better handle on his allergies. Jordan is my first newf and I love this dog. He's so stoic. His hips have me stumped. But that's for another time. Didn't mean to go on and on.