Dog Staph Infection

Staph is the abbreviation of staphylococcus. This skin condition lies dormant until it is triggered by some external irritant. Once the irritation takes place, bacteria attack the dermis. Symptoms of this condition vary in different dogs. The most common signs are crusty spot patterns throughout the dog's skin.

Causes

Scratching that can bring about irritation often leads to staph infections. Anything from fleas to allergies that provokes itching contributes to the onset of this condition.

Effects

Dogs tend to loose a great deal of hair from staph infection. Also they will scratch considerably more. Crusty spots will appear that resemble ring worms.

Diagnosis

Usually a veterinarian van diagnose the symptoms of staph infection by sight, but sometimes a skin biopsy us needed.

Contagiousness

Staph infection can be very contagious and is passed through direct contact.

Solution

Oral antibiotics, shampoos and shot injections are the most common ways to cure staph infections in dogs.

References

• Staph Infection

Resources

• Paw Prints