Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium (sometimes known as 'S. aureus' or 'staph) and is often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Healthy people can be carriers (1 in 3) and for many S. aureus causes no illness for many years.
However the bacteria can cause infection if it finds its way into a cut or graze and can cause skin infections such as boils, pimples, impetigo, skin abscesses and wound infections. In some cases it can into the bloodstream and cause serious internal infections including septicaemia (blood poisoning) , pneumonia (lung infection), osteomyelitis (bone infection), endocarditis (heart valve infection), etc. This is more likely in people who are unwell, debilitated or have a poor immune system.
What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA strains can also be carried without illness but develop into serious infections if they enter the skin. Most staph infections can be treated with commonly used antibiotics but MRSA infections are resistant to an antibiotic called methicillin and many other antibiotics.
MRSA, Staph and animals
The skin flora of animals can also harbour staph infections and these will often include staph aureus, staph intermedius and MRSA. The more aggressive forms of MRSA increasingly found in humans are now finding their way into the skin flora of domestic pets and causing hard to treat wound and skin infections.
What is MRSA and how does it affect animals?
How did my dog become colonized with MRSA?
Are some animals more MRSA prone than others?
What are the MRSA challenges for dogs with dermatitis issues?
What kinds of treatment are available for animals with MRSA?
Should I isolate my mrsa positive pet?
What can you do at home to help your MRSA infected pet?
What should I be asking my vet about MRSA
What is known about MRSA in cats?
Is it possible for dogs to be decolonized?
Is there bedding that will help a animal with an MRSA infection?
If family members and/or pets are mrsa positive will a newborn catch it?
Is clothing and other household items an MRSA problem for pets?
If my pet is MRSA positive will I catch it?
Will my MRSA positive pet contaminate my home?
What is known about MRSA in horses?
How long does MRSA stay alive on surfaces
Handwashing is effective in thwarting household MRSA - what's the best method?
Will my pet get MRSA if they eat infected bandages?
What is good infection control practice for Pet Visitor animals?
How can I choose a good vet
Where can I find scientific evidence about MRSA and staph in animals
Got an MRSA Pets Question? Use the comments box below and we'll try and help you
However the bacteria can cause infection if it finds its way into a cut or graze and can cause skin infections such as boils, pimples, impetigo, skin abscesses and wound infections. In some cases it can into the bloodstream and cause serious internal infections including septicaemia (blood poisoning) , pneumonia (lung infection), osteomyelitis (bone infection), endocarditis (heart valve infection), etc. This is more likely in people who are unwell, debilitated or have a poor immune system.
What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA strains can also be carried without illness but develop into serious infections if they enter the skin. Most staph infections can be treated with commonly used antibiotics but MRSA infections are resistant to an antibiotic called methicillin and many other antibiotics.
MRSA, Staph and animals
The skin flora of animals can also harbour staph infections and these will often include staph aureus, staph intermedius and MRSA. The more aggressive forms of MRSA increasingly found in humans are now finding their way into the skin flora of domestic pets and causing hard to treat wound and skin infections.
What is MRSA and how does it affect animals?
How did my dog become colonized with MRSA?
Are some animals more MRSA prone than others?
What are the MRSA challenges for dogs with dermatitis issues?
What kinds of treatment are available for animals with MRSA?
Should I isolate my mrsa positive pet?
What can you do at home to help your MRSA infected pet?
What should I be asking my vet about MRSA
What is known about MRSA in cats?
Is it possible for dogs to be decolonized?
Is there bedding that will help a animal with an MRSA infection?
If family members and/or pets are mrsa positive will a newborn catch it?
Is clothing and other household items an MRSA problem for pets?
If my pet is MRSA positive will I catch it?
Will my MRSA positive pet contaminate my home?
What is known about MRSA in horses?
How long does MRSA stay alive on surfaces
Handwashing is effective in thwarting household MRSA - what's the best method?
Will my pet get MRSA if they eat infected bandages?
What is good infection control practice for Pet Visitor animals?
How can I choose a good vet
Where can I find scientific evidence about MRSA and staph in animals
Got an MRSA Pets Question? Use the comments box below and we'll try and help you
