MRSA infections have become a major concern in hospitals, but few people are aware that animals and humans can infect each other.
In the United States, one in three people carries a staph bacterium, an opportunistic pathogen causing hospital and community infections worldwide. Healthy people infected by this agent usually can be treated by an antibiotic.
One specific staph bacterium, however, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carries a gene that proves resistant to the most common antimicrobial drugs. This makes it difficult to treat, and it can even be life threatening among immunocompromised people: the very old or very young, diabetics and people who had recent surgery or have open wounds.
MRSA has been on the rise and well known for many years, especially in hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers and other health care settings. It also can be transmitted in the community via skin-to-skin contact among groups such as child care workers.
What is less well known about MRSA is that pet owners can transmit it to their dogs, cats, birds and other animals — and vice versa. Since 2005, Professor Armando Hoet, director of the Veterinary Public Health Program at The Ohio State University, has studied MRSA in veterinary settings, including among dogs brought to the university’s Veterinary Medical Center.
“If a dog has MRSA, a person is the most likely source,” Hoet explained. “If someone in the house has MRSA, it can be transmitted to a pet through kissing, licking, bathing, or other direct contact with infected sites such as wounds.”
The bacterium also can be spread in veterinary offices, kennels and other areas where pets may come into direct contact with other animals. Research showed that pure breeds and short-haired animals are more likely to be colonized, that is, to carry the MRSA bacterium, sometimes without symptoms of infection. Other high-risk factors include living with health care workers or visiting human hospitals or nursing homes, as therapy dogs often do.
When my client’s Golden Retriever, Max, developed what looked like a simple skin rash that wouldn’t heal despite antibiotics, I knew we might be dealing with something more serious. After testing, our fears were confirmed – Max had MRSA, a dangerous antibiotic-resistant infection that’s becoming increasingly common in dogs.
If you’re wondering “how did my dog get MRSA?” you’re not alone. This frightening superbug affects many pets each year, and understanding how your furry friend contracted it is the first step to preventing future infections.
What Exactly is MRSA in Dogs?
MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. It’s basically a type of bacteria that’s evolved to resist most common antibiotics, making it extremely dangerous and difficult to treat.
While humans typically get infected with Staphylococcus aureus, dogs more commonly get infected with a related bacteria called Staphylococcus intermedius (MRSI), though they can get either. These infections can be life-threatening if not treated properly and promptly.
How Your Dog Probably Got MRSA
There are several ways your dog could have contracted this superbug:
-
Human-to-dog transmission: About 33% of humans carry Staph aureus in their nasal passages, and about 2% carry MRSA specifically. If you or someone in your household carries MRSA, you might have transmitted it to your dog through physical contact.
-
Environmental contamination: MRSA can survive on surfaces and objects, so your dog might have picked it up from contaminated items or environments.
-
Veterinary facilities Unfortunately just like human hospitals vet clinics can sometimes harbor these bacteria, especially if proper sanitation protocols aren’t followed.
-
Other dogs Dog-to-dog transmission is possible, particularly in boarding facilities dog parks, or grooming salons.
-
Post-surgery infections: If your dog recently had surgery, the surgical site could have become infected with MRSA.
-
High-risk settings: Therapy or service dogs that visit hospitals, nursing homes, or rehabilitation centers are at higher risk of exposure.
-
Healthcare worker contact: If someone in your house works in healthcare, they might inadvertently bring MRSA home and transfer it to your dog.
Common Signs Your Dog Has MRSA
MRSA infections in dogs often resemble typical staph infections at first, but they don’t respond to normal antibiotics and tend to worsen over time. Here’s what to watch for:
- Small, red bumps or boils on the skin
- Bull’s-eye shaped lesions (red or dark inner circle with scaling around it)
- Pus-filled blisters that rupture easily
- Itchiness and discomfort
- Skin ulcers that don’t heal
- Scaling or discolored skin
- Hair loss (alopecia), sometimes in a moth-eaten pattern
- Signs of more serious infection like pneumonia or sepsis
These infections commonly appear on areas with less hair like the abdomen and groin, but can occur anywhere on the body. They’re particularly common in the ears and around wound sites, especially after surgery.
Why MRSA is So Dangerous for Dogs
The real problem with MRSA isn’t just that it causes infection – it’s that it’s extremely difficult to treat. Regular antibiotics simply don’t work against it, which is why it’s called a “superbug.”
MRSA can quickly enter the bloodstream and cause septicemia (blood poisoning), which can be fatal. Many dogs unfortunately don’t recover from severe MRSA infections, which is why early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are so important.
How MRSA is Diagnosed in Dogs
If you suspect your dog has MRSA, your vet will need to perform specific tests:
- Skin culture: This involves swabbing the affected area to collect bacteria for testing.
- Skin biopsy: For chronic or atypical skin infections, a small tissue sample may be taken.
- Sensitivity testing: This determines which antibiotics might still be effective against the specific strain of MRSA.
Remember, you can’t tell if an infection is MRSA just by looking at it. The key sign is that it doesn’t respond to standard antibiotic treatment.
Treating MRSA in Your Dog: What to Expect
If your dog is diagnosed with MRSA, treatment will likely include:
Medical Treatment
-
Specialized antibiotics: Most common veterinary antibiotics won’t work against MRSA. Your vet may need to use expensive “human” antibiotics that are typically reserved for life-threatening infections.
-
Extended treatment duration: Treatment typically lasts 1-2 months or longer to completely eliminate the infection.
-
Antimicrobial shampoos: Frequent bathing with special medicated shampoos helps control the infection on the skin.
Supportive Care
-
Probiotics: Since antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, probiotics help restore beneficial gut bacteria.
-
Quarantine: Infected dogs should be kept in a clean environment away from other pets and vulnerable family members.
-
Environmental cleaning: All toys, bedding, and items your dog contacts should be thoroughly and regularly washed.
Holistic Approaches
Many holistic vets also recommend:
- Immune-boosting herbs: Astragalus and Echinacea can support your dog’s immune system.
- Natural antimicrobials: Herbs like olive leaf and Oregon grape may help fight the infection.
- Dietary changes: A nutritious diet supports overall immune function.
Preventing MRSA Infections in Dogs
The best way to deal with MRSA is to prevent your dog from getting it in the first place:
- Proper wound care: Clean and disinfect any cuts or scrapes your dog gets immediately.
- Regular grooming: Keep your dog clean and well-groomed to maintain healthy skin.
- Clean environment: Regularly wash your dog’s bedding, toys, and living areas.
- Proper hand hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your dog, especially if you work in healthcare or have been in a hospital.
- Immune support: Feed a high-quality diet and consider immune-boosting supplements.
- Avoid unnecessary antibiotics: Overuse of antibiotics contributes to resistance. For minor, non-life-threatening infections, discuss alternative treatments with your vet.
Is MRSA Contagious Between Dogs and Humans?
Yes, MRSA can pass between dogs and humans in both directions. This is called zoonotic transmission. If your dog has MRSA, take these precautions:
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching your dog
- Wear gloves when treating infected areas
- Keep the infected dog away from children, elderly people, and anyone with a compromised immune system
- Don’t let your dog lick you, especially near your face or any cuts/wounds
- Don’t share food or allow your dog to sleep in your bed until the infection is cleared
My Personal Experience with Canine MRSA
When my own dog developed MRSA after a routine surgery last year, I was terrified. The incision site became red and inflamed despite initial antibiotics, and soon we were dealing with a full-blown MRSA infection.
We ended up using a combination of veterinary antibiotics, herbal remedies, and daily medicated baths. It took nearly two months of treatment, but we finally cleared the infection. The experience taught me how important prevention is – now I’m much more careful about wound care and unnecessary antibiotic use.
When to See Your Vet
If you notice any of these warning signs, seek veterinary care immediately:
- Skin infections that don’t improve with treatment
- Worsening redness, swelling, or discharge from wounds
- Fever or lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Any sign of infection after surgery
Remember, early diagnosis and treatment give your dog the best chance of recovery from MRSA.
Final Thoughts
Finding out your dog has MRSA can be scary, but understanding how they got it helps you prevent future infections. The rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs like MRSA is partly due to overuse of antibiotics in both human and veterinary medicine.
By being proactive about your dog’s health, keeping their environment clean, and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, you can significantly reduce their risk of developing this dangerous infection.
Have you dealt with MRSA in your dog? What was your experience like? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you suspect your dog has MRSA or any other serious infection, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
Awareness makes a difference
Hoet previously conducted research in Venezuela on treating staph mastitis, an infection in cow udders. When he came to Ohio State in 2005, he learned that more dogs, cats and horses were being brought to the clinic with MRSA. He began a study of how they acquired the infection, what forms it took and their resistance to treatment.
At that time, about 5 percent of the dogs arriving at the university’s specialized clinic had or carried MRSA, and they were likely to have been referred by other veterinarians. Today, that figure has dropped to less than 0.9 percent, due to increased awareness of the bacterium among veterinarians.
Unlike humans, most pets colonized with MRSA will not become infected unless they are immunocompromised — young, old, unhealthy or having cuts. The bacterium simply goes away after a few weeks or months. Some animals may be carriers without any MRSA symptoms. Visible symptoms might include crusts, scaling, papules, pustules, erythema, hair loss, inflammation in the ear or skin infections.
Linda Nowakowski, of Carlisle, Ohio, was referred to Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center by her regular vet. Her 9-month-old gray tabby cat, Cloudy, had been scratching the top of his head, his ears and chin. The antibiotic prescribed had worked briefly, but the symptoms returned. She was sent to Dayton to see a veterinary dermatologist, who thought the problem was ear mites and prescribed the drug Revolution.
“He only got worse,” Nowakowski said. “He scratched constantly and had open wounds on his head.”
She brought Cloudy to Ohio State, and they saw Dr. Stephanie Abrams, a veterinary dermatologist resident working with Dr. Gwendolen Lorch. Abrams conducted a skin biopsy and prescribed clindamycin. Within a month, Cloudy was significantly better: He had some of his fur back, and the open wounds closed and scabbed over.
The source of the cat’s MRSA infection remains a mystery. None of the kittens in the litter was infected. Nowakowski had her own physician check to see that she was free of MRSA after returning from a surgery on her leg when the cat was only 6 weeks old. “He stayed with me the entire time when I was recovering,” she said. “He stayed in my bed and followed me whenever I got up.”
Nowakowski can’t say enough to praise the staff at Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center. “They put us in an isolation room and wore protective uniforms — and they helped ‘my baby.’ Now, when we go for follow-up visits, the whole staff are eager to see Cloudy. They’ve been truly incredible!”
With a new lease on life for owner and cat, Nowakowski may have to change Cloudy’s name to “Sunny.”
How to Treat MRSA in Canines
FAQ
How do dogs get MRSA infections?
How long does MRSA take to heal in dogs?
Once the right antibiotic is found that can remove MRSA from your dog’s skin, recovery may take two to three weeks of systemic antibiotic therapy. Most healthy dogs with no other medical conditions and a strain of MRSA that is not resistant to other antibiotics should clear up within 10–14 days.
How to get rid of MRSA in dogs?
What is the main cause of MRSA infection?
The main cause of MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria itself, which is a type of staph bacteria that has become resistant to antibiotics used for ordinary staph infections. The bacteria spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated surfaces, especially in healthcare settings or crowded conditions. Factors like damaged skin, recent hospitalization, invasive medical devices, and weakened immune systems increase the risk of infection.