Multi-Resistant Staphylococci In Dogs

Dogs can also be colonized with multi-resistant bacteria, which then requires special hygiene measures.

General Description

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius occurs on normal dog skin, just as Staphylococcus aureus can be a normal colonizer on human skin. However, these bacterial pathogens can infect the skin in certain situations, e.g. wounds or skin diseases. Both germs can also become multi/methicillin-resistant. Then they are called MRSP in the case of dogs and MRSA in humans.

So in our animals, it is mostly MRSP that is not contagious to humans. There have been very few reports of human infection worldwide. Nevertheless, since your pet care for your dog/cat, you can become a carrier of the germ and cause problems if you become ill or have an operation.

That is why routine hygiene measures are important.

Hygiene Measures At Home

• Wash your hands thoroughly for 2 minutes, and possibly disinfect your hands after touching or petting your dog, hand hygiene is the most important thing!
• If you have to cream or shampoo your animal, it is best to wear disposable gloves
• Thoroughly clean surfaces with soap and disinfectant solutions
• Reduce contact with other animals (e.g. don’t walk in dog groups, don’t put your dog in a daycare center, etc.).
• If you have multiple dogs in your household, there is a high probability that they all carry the MRSP

Hygiene Measures When Visiting The Vet

In our clinics and practices, other measures are necessary because animals come to us that are already ill and therefore more susceptible to infections with an MRSP.

• When making the appointment, please mention that your animal is MRSP positive
• Prepare yourself for appointments preferably at the end of the office hours, if necessary on days specially set up for this
• On the day of the appointment, please report to the reception without your animal.
• If possible, please place your animal directly on the treatment table to avoid contaminating the floor. You should assist the veterinarian with the examination.
• During the consultation, your animal should remain on the table and at the end, you, with the help of the veterinarian, should lift it off the table directly into the parking lot.
• Then please come back to the consulting room to wash and disinfect your hands and then go to the registration office to receive the medication and pay the bill without an animal.