Skin infection (yucky pic included)

[SLewis024]

Friday I took London to a groomer in my area for a bath and sanitary trim. When I got her back she was itching herself and trying to chew herself and would roll on the floor a lot. I didn't think anything of it because she like to roll over cuz she thinks every time she does it she'll get a treat, haha. But today my boyfriend and I were petting her at the same time and my fingers hit a rough spot. So I took her and examined the spot where it felt "scabby" It was all black and rough, kind red around it and she was missing her fur! I panicked and took her to the emergency vet (which was quite a show since I am in a left leg immobilizer because I tore my ACL, MCL and miniscus and I drive a standard) and they gave me 10 days worth of antibiotics, cleaned it up and shaved it and gave her cortisone shots. Now I feel bad but I am disgusted by this. The vet said it looks bacterial and she probably got it from the groomer because she isn't around other dogs at home and the groomer wont call me back. Does anyone know if this is something that people can catch? I'm a slight germ-a-phobe so this is really grossing me out. Do I need to bleach all of my linens and such? I'm moving in less than a week and this on top of everything else I am about to lose my mind. Any feedback would be appreciated. I want my little poopers better


I posted a picture from after the vet but it's not great quality.

[roseslevi]

Wow.... I have no advice for you except to say that I would be pretty angry with the groomer as well, if this indeed was the cause of this infection. Poor Baby!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by SLewis024

Friday I took London to a groomer in my area for a bath and sanitary trim. When I got her back she was itching herself and trying to chew herself and would roll on the floor a lot. I didn't think anything of it because she like to roll over cuz she thinks every time she does it she'll get a treat, haha. But today my boyfriend and I were petting her at the same time and my fingers hit a rough spot. So I took her and examined the spot where it felt "scabby" It was all black and rough, kind red around it and she was missing her fur! I panicked and took her to the emergency vet (which was quite a show since I am in a left leg immobilizer because I tore my ACL, MCL and miniscus and I drive a standard) and they gave me 10 days worth of antibiotics, cleaned it up and shaved it and gave her cortisone shots. Now I feel bad but I am disgusted by this. The vet said it looks bacterial and she probably got it from the groomer because she isn't around other dogs at home and the groomer wont call me back. Does anyone know if this is something that people can catch? I'm a slight germ-a-phobe so this is really grossing me out. Do I need to bleach all of my linens and such? I'm moving in less than a week and this on top of everything else I am about to lose my mind. Any feedback would be appreciated. I want my little poopers better


I posted a picture from after the vet but it's not great quality.

Relax....it's probably a pyoderma or staph infection (did they say what it was?)....if so, you're not gonna catch it. My Barney gets them every summer on his belly and I still rub his belly and even kiss it. And I've never caught it.

[SLewis024]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Relax....it's probably a pyoderma or staph infection (did they say what it was?)....if so, you're not gonna catch it. My Barney gets them every summer on his belly and I still rub his belly and even kiss it. And I've never caught it.

That's good to know! They didn't tell me anything really. Just that "I can give her a cortisone shot to help with the itching for an extra $30. She might drink and piddle a little more too" It makes me feel a little better hearing someone else's experience.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Relax....it's probably a pyoderma or staph infection (did they say what it was?)....if so, you're not gonna catch it. My Barney gets them every summer on his belly and I still rub his belly and even kiss it. And I've never caught it.

Hmmm..... I do not think that is true. Staph infections can be transmitted from dogs to humans. Anytime a bacterial infection is diagnosed, I would be washing hands like crazy and use gloves when cleaning and caring for the site.

"Warning
•Staph infections in dogs are transmittable to human caretakers. Take precautions to ensure your own safety from infection. Wear disposable gloves when caring for a dog diagnosed with staph infection and keep the pet separate from small children. "


Read more: Staph Skin Infections in Dogs | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6377164_staph-skin-infections-dogs.html#ixzz18npctsPF" and Staph Skin Infections in Dogs | eHow.com might want to read some sites on canine MRSA too.

I had to look up pyderma and found: Pyoderma means any skin disease that is pyogenic. Then found that pyogenic means bacterial infections that make pus! That too could mean some infections that will spread from dog to human.

[107barney]

I have read contrary info saying not contagious to other dogs or humans - will pull some info later but not home at the moment.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I have read contrary info saying not contagious to other dogs or humans - will pull some info later but not home at the moment.

Everything I am seeing from updated info says staph can be transmitted from dog to human and from human to dog. If you can find one that says differently, I still would not be comfortable telling anyone to handle and kiss an infected area. Here are references from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a news story, and vetinfo.com .

Human-to-Dog Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus | CDC EID Human to Dog transmission of Staph

Staph infection found in pets | The Columbus Dispatch MRSA is a zoonotic pathogen, which means that it can be passed from animal to human and vice versa.

Testing for Canine MRSA Infection With Blood, Skin, Urine or Sputum Cultures Transmission of the MRSA contagious infection occurs from humans to dogs, and from dogs to humans.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by SLewis024

That's good to know! They didn't tell me anything really. Just that "I can give her a cortisone shot to help with the itching for an extra $30. She might drink and piddle a little more too" It makes me feel a little better hearing someone else's experience.

Did they do a quick smear and look at under micro ? If no...oy.

I think what 107barney is referring to is staph. intermedius...which is usually what dogs have when Dx w/ pyoderma. It can be as simple looking at red splotches, or as nasty looking as to have some drainage.

I think what FIDebra is talking about is MRSA - which is staph. aureus (which is all over every human's skin at all times, however, if the skin is broken and the circumstances are right, it can cause severe and even deadly septic infections ). The 'MR' part of MRSA means methicillin resistant s.aureus....which means, in a nutshell, that if infected with MRSA - it can cause ongoing and severe issues. Not to mention isolation in a hospital.

S.intermedius is very common to dogs (and they have this staph on their skin anyways; again, it can over-grow), but not really seen in humans. For dogs, the Tx for s.intermedius is usually Simplicef x 1 month - and zip, it's gone!

If it were me, I'd prefer a more specific diagnosis from my vet . Please keep us posted!

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh also, that piccie looks more like, maybe, an injury to me, from the groomer perhaps (?) - than like how most pyodermas appear. Nonetheless, it could still be pyoderma, but I'm very surprised there is only one spot, rather than seeing some splotchiness that is generalized, and then maybe a few areas that are more advanced.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Everything I am seeing from updated info says staph can be transmitted from dog to human and from human to dog. If you can find one that says differently, I still would not be comfortable telling anyone to handle and kiss an infected area. Here are references from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a news story, and vetinfo.com .

Human-to-Dog Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus | CDC EID Human to Dog transmission of Staph

Staph infection found in pets | The Columbus Dispatch MRSA is a zoonotic pathogen, which means that it can be passed from animal to human and vice versa.

Testing for Canine MRSA Infection With Blood, Skin, Urine or Sputum Cultures Transmission of the MRSA contagious infection occurs from humans to dogs, and from dogs to humans.

Ann is correct that I was referring to S. intermedius. This is such a common issue in dogs but not in humans. This is also consistent with the veterinary advice I have been given and the information I've read on the subject in the past. The last time Barney had it was just this past summer, and our vet did not issue any warnings to us to quarantine Barney or put on our hazmat suits.

Just to clarify, I never told anyone to handle and kiss the area, -- I simply said that the OP should probably relax and that it was likely something minor like a pyoderma (otherwise the vet might have warned her otherwise) and that I am so comfortable that I wont catch it from Barney that I rub and kiss my Barney's belly with or without his s. intermedius infection. He has had it a couple of times since he has gotten older and more susceptible to summer allergies resulting in these infections. I also let him sleep in my bed, with or without his skin issue.

Our vet treats it the same way as Ann mentioned - 1 month of Simplecef 100 mg and that works very well to resolve the issue.

Also the dog may not even have a staph infection so the OP should call and ask the vet what they are treating to be sure. I have had one or two spots show up and that is when we use mupirocin ointment for 2 weeks twice a day and that usually clears things up.

[kjc]

Call me germaphobe... Not only do I generally not want to pick up anything from my dogs, I also worry about introducing other bacteria (from my hands) to the injury. Also having an immunocompromised person in my home, I tend to take precautions when and where I can, regardless.

You can always call the ER vet and ask, just to put your mind at ease....

[Vinnyluver109]

hmmm. i don't know what happened. I would look up something like, "scabby skin infections on dogs" or something on the internet. Maybe you will discover what it is. Sorry to hear about it.

[ladyjane]

That does look like it could be staph. I seriously doubt she got it from the groomer. Something made her itch ... maybe a shampoo the groomer used? Just a guess. There is hair there, so clearly it was not irritated from clippers.

Anyway....staph bacteria is found on nearly all dogs' skin. When they lick and/or scratch then it gives that bacteria a place to invade. That is how they get these infections which are actually quite common. You said she was licking and scratching, so my guess is that is how she got it.

I cannot even count how many times over the years I have dealt with staph infections in dogs. Usually it happens to allergy prone dogs because they scratch and/or lick themselves. It is not contagious to humans! I sleep with my dogs and have never seen an infection from one go to another dog nor have I contracted it! My vet assured me of that the first time one of my pups had it.

To make yourself feel better, put a call into your regular vet.

[ladyjane]

Oh, and I might add that 107barney is correct. Bactroderm topical will help if there is only one, perhaps two lesions. After that antibiotics are needed. It also helps to bathe them in medicated shampoo.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Also the dog may not even have a staph infection so the OP should call and ask the vet what they are treating to be sure. I have had one or two spots show up and that is when we use mupirocin ointment for 2 weeks twice a day and that usually clears things up.

Yup. Our Vet Derm also recommends the mupirocin if there are just a few areas, and sometimes that does the job. Other times, like during allergy season, I'll see a couple spots on Marcel and I start w/ mupirocin, but then I start finding other tiny little areas buried in his fur. At that point, I don't mess around, and I call in the big guns (Simplicef).

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Oh, and I might add that 107barney is correct. Bactroderm topical will help if there is only one, perhaps two lesions. After that antibiotics are needed. It also helps to bathe them in medicated shampoo.

Yup yup. I just starting using this shampoo on Marcel for his pollen issues etc, and I'm really liking it. Also, it doesn't smell like a medicated shampoo:

Amazon.com: "DermaPet" MalAcetic Shampoo for Dogs...