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MRSA and Your Pet

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Pets as well as humans carry the MRSA virus. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus are staph bacteria that are resistant to regular antibiotics and require a lengthy hospital stay. This staph bacteria, like many other bacteria, normally live on your skin and inside your nose without causing problems unless your immune system has been compromised. MRSA is different from other bacteria as it can only be treated in a hospital setting with a Vancomycan i.v. drip for six hours a day.

Researchers found that the same strain of MRSA on your pet is the same deadly virus that humans are susceptible to. The bacteria can be transmitted from mammal to man and vice versa. Although animals can deal with MRSA more effectively than humans, it is always wise to treat all of your pets if it is infecting one of them. Cats and dogs with a MRSA infection can get lesions on their bodies and infections range from skin problems and pneumonia to meningitis, blood infection and heart problems. It is important to remember both you and your pet can be colonized with MRSA, but it is not the same as having the active virus. If your pet undergoes surgery, it is imperative that you have them swabbed for MRSA prior to surgery. If the swab is positive, ensure that your vet knows what precautions to take and that he/she will take them.

40% of healthcare workers, veterinarians and nursing home staff have it on their skin and in their nose. It is also found in colleges, dorms, public laundry facilities, hair salons and gyms. A simple process for cleaning the germs out of your washing machine is to run a hot water only cycle with a cup of bleach after every 2 -3 washes of regular clothing. Washing machines only get your clothes clean; they do not kill germs.

What does MRSA look like? Any of these symptoms warrant a visit to the vet:

•Sores or bumps that may look like spider bites

•Boils under the skin (painful bumps)

•Sometimes called impetigo, blisters filled with fluid

•Cuts that are swollen and filled with pus

•Lethargy

Any of these symptoms on you or your pet should warrant a visit to your doctor.

If your dog is a dog park lover as many of my clients are, there are pet wipes, non alcohol-based to wipe the dirt and other dogs’ saliva off the coat of your dog from playtime so they don’t carry extra germs back into your home.

Here are two helpful websites. I spoke with Jill Moss about her blog after the loss of Bella, her beautiful Samoyed. She has graciously allowed a to link to her story: http://www.thebellamossfoundation.com/story.asp

On the other hand, you can contract MRSA from your pet especially if your pet has a lesion. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1216755/Can-snuggling-pet-MRSA.html

Be safe out there!

Julie

Tags: cats, dogs, hospitals, impetigo, lesions, MRSA, pets, veterinarians
Posted in Uncategorized, blog | 3 Comments »

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  Julie took excellent care of my dog George while I was away on the east coast for 4 months. George is a rescue with a difficult past, and I had put a lot of effort into training him and helping him become a social, obedient dog. I was very happy and grateful to find a caretaker like Julie, who not only maintained George's training, but also helped him to become an even happier, more social (with both humans and other dogs) animal. Thank you Julie!

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