What is a Staph Infection?
Staphylococcus bacteria is the cause of staph infections in dogs. A staph infection occurs when a skin irritation or wound becomes infected. Staph infections can affect any part of a dog’s body. Staph infections can be found in dogs of any age or breed.
There are several types of staph infections that affect dogs, but most develop as skin infections. The majority of bacteria from the Staphylococcus genus are normal inhabitants of the skin and upper respiratory tract of a dog, and most other animals, including humans, for that matter. Normally they never cause any harm to the dog.
However, if the dog experiences an injury or already has underlying illnesses, allergies, or is otherwise immune-compromised, healthy bacteria can turn into a threat.
When the skin becomes unhealthy, including a wound or crack, the blood supply to that area can become weakened. When this happens, the immune system’s protective mechanism is compromised, allowing a gateway for the staph bacteria to infect the skin.
Once it occurs, a staph infection should never be left untreated, as it can spread to internal organs and cause severe, and in some instances, life-threatening issues. The good news is addressing staph infections can be simple if they are treated quickly and cared for properly.
Can A Staph Infection Kill A Dog If Not Well Treated?
Can a staph infection kill a dog? Staphylococcus infections are a common cause of skin problems with no serious effects initially, but if not well treated, they can also be life-threatening if they spread to the kidneys, heart or lungs.
It’s best to use Garlic as a dog staph infection home remedy because Garlic is one of the most potent antibacterial foods available. It helps boost your dog’s immune system and fight against the staph infection. You can apply raw garlic on your dog’s wounds to treat them.
Prevention of Dog Staph Infections
Taking steps to prevent a dog from getting a staph infection can be extremely helpful in avoiding the nasty symptoms. The importance of good hygiene isn’t just for humans, it extends to pets as well. Ensuring your dog has good hygiene can help prevent an infection from developing.
If your dog was recently exposed to sick animals or humans, in a place like a hospital or veterinary office, washing their paws and belongings can help keep bacteria at bay. Maintaining a clean environment for your dog is optimal for their health. Their bedding and chew toys should be washed regularly.
Keeping up with your dog’s flea medicine may be another critical factor that can help prevent skin irritation. Not only is a pet free of fleas healthier and happier, but they are also less at risk for causing open wounds that invite staph infection.
Dogs with allergies should be put on allergy medication or other allergy treatment right away. Allergy treatments help prevent infection by controlling how inflamed the skin gets and restoring the innate immune system. It also helps reduce any unwanted itchiness.
Being proactive when it comes to your dog’s health can only be beneficial to their overall wellness. Always feed your dog healthy snacks and nutritious and well-balanced dog food. Regular physical activity is essential to the health of your pet too. Remember, a pet that leads a healthy and thriving life is less at risk of hosting a staph infection. If your dog does happen to get an infection, there are some things you can do to help.
FAQ
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