MRSA Infection In Bulldogs Multidrug Bacterial Resistence

By: Dr. Roy Kraemer |
DVM, Bulldog Specialist Veterinarian

MRSA and MRSP infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs multidrug-resistant bacteria are becoming common findings in unresolved ear and skin infections.

MRSA and MRSP Infection in Bulldogs

MRSA stands for “Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Aureus and is common to people

HUMANS MRSA MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA:

In contrast to MRSP,  MRSA is an indigenous component of normal humans ( NOT dogs).

MRSA MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE BACTERIA IN BULLDOGS

  1. MRSA is rarely diagnosed in bulldogs and is usually the result of contact with a human carrier.
  2. Most bulldogs and French bulldogs exposed to MRSA do not develop clinical disease, and most will eventually eliminate the organism.

BULLDOG MRSP MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA:

MRSP is native to your English bulldog or French bulldog puppy’s skin, but not to humans.

MRSP stands for “Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Pseudintermedius

Staphylococci Psudointermdius bacteria are part of the normal microflora of your bulldog’s skin.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the most common bacteria found on bulldog’s skin. 

OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION:

If your bulldog or French bulldog suffers from an underlying condition that compromises their immune system and/or their skin barrier, this “normal” Staph skin bacteria may cause opportunistic skin infections.

Like people, colonized animals usually show no adverse effects unless risk factors allow for the development of clinical infection.

Those risk factors could be:

  • Recent surgical procurement
  • Trauma
  • Skin wounds
  • Immunosuppression.

RISK, MORTALITY and MORBIDITY

Unlike MRSA in people, which is often associated with increased morbidity and mortality, there does not appear to be a significant difference in patient outcome between dogs infected with MSSA (Methicillin SENSITIVE Staph Aureus) vs. MRSA (Methicillin RESISTANT Staph Aureus), possibly because most infections are superficial (pyodermas and otitis) and not invasive deep pyoderma.

MRSA and MRSP Infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs puppies

BULLDOGS & FRENCH BULLDOGS ALLERGIES:

One of the most common causes of bulldogs’ compromised skin barrier is allergies.

The two most common allergies known to bulldogs are hypersensitivity to the environment (“Atopy”, “Atopic Dermatitis”) and hypersensitivity to food (Food Allergy”).

BULLDOG SKIN PARASITES & MITES:

The other frequent underlying causes of compromised skin barrier are parasites such as fleas (Flea Allergy Dermatitis) and mites (demodex and Scabies Mites).

Allergies and parasites are considered “primary causes”, while most bacterial skin infections (“Pyoderma”) are usually secondary. 

MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA IN BULLDOGS:

Staphylococci that carry the methicillin-resistant gene are resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotic drugs.

Methicillin-resistant infections in pets are an increasing problem in veterinary medicine and are driven by antibiotic pressure (i.e. overuse, indiscriminate, “blanket”, “defensive” etc).

MRSP Skin Infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PREVENTION:

Bulldog Antibacterial Antiseptic Therapeutics:

Topical therapeutics are highly effective against superficial bacteria dermatitis-like MRSP and MRSA. 

ANTISEPTIC MEDICATED SHAMPOOS

Frequent baths using a medicated shampoo like Dr. Kraemer’s

Daily or every other day, 10 minutes of contact before rinsing.

ANTISEPTIC MEDICATED WATERLESS GEL 

On days you are unable to bathe your bulldog, I recommend you apply a waterless shampoo like Dr. Kraemer’s

Between shampoo’s,  shake, place on the site (no rinsing is required, its waterless)

MRSA and MRSP Infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs topical therapy

CREAM RINSE CONDITIONER FOR BULLDOG MRSP INFECTION:

To help hydrate and moisturize the skin, you can use a conditioner like Dr. Kraemer’s

BLEACH SOAK FOR BULLDOG MRSP INFECTION:

Daily soaks in diluted bleach 1:10 (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).

You can sponge, bathe, or soak, but don’t rinse, and leave your pet to air dry. You should prepare a fresh new dilute each time you bathe your pet.

OTHER ANTISEPTIC TOPICALS FOR BULLDOG MRSP INFECTIONS:

like Dr. Kraemer’s

ORAL ANTIBIOTICS FOR BULLDOG MRSP PYODERMA:

MRSP pyoderma systemic antibiotics are based on culture sensitivity results.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR BULLDOG MRSP INFECTION:

IMMUNE SUPPORT

  • V4B Bulldog Fish Oil has anti-inflammatory properties, can improve various skin conditions, and boosts the immune system.
  • V4B Bulldog Immune Support can help to enhance the immune system.

PRE/PROBIOTICS:

Bulldogs suffering from MRSP pyoderma are usually on long-term antibiotics. Prolonged use of antibiotics will likely affect the gut good bacteria and cause dysbiosis (bad gut bacteria), thus supplementing with probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes might be required.

MANUKA OIL FOR BULLDOG PYODERMA:

Essential oils from plants have long been used for medicinal purposes due to their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and insecticidal properties. Manuka oil has excellent antimicrobial activity and inhibits biofilm production.

I don’t know enough about this oil’s use in bulldog skin infections, how to apply it, how often, and if there are any drug interaction issues. I recommend you do some of your own research before using it.

Bulldog MRSP multidrug resistant skin infection

Dr. Kraemer’s MRSP Infection in Bulldogs RULE OF THUMB:

MRSP may be isolated from healthy individuals with no signs of disease; this is considered “colonization”, and is distinguished from “infection,” wherein the MRSP is causing signs of disease.

Bulldog skin infection caused by MRSP can present as any other non-resistant staph strain and is NOT inherently a more dangerous infection.

CULTURE: However, clinically proven MRSP requires the appropriate antimicrobial selection and should be based on culture and susceptibility testing.

Fortunately, infections, and diseases attributed to MRSP are very rare in people, and many of your bulldogs and other pet owners have been exposed to it.

Dr. Kraemer’s MRSP Skin Infection in Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:

Bulldog MRSP Infection BE VIGILANT TIP:

While the odds of you picking up MRSA or MRSP from your bulldog are very low, you should be vigilant and aware.

The use of proper hygiene and infection control measures is always important, particularly around a pet with an active infection.

These measures include:

  1. HAND WASH: Frequent hand washing after contact with your infected bulldog.
  2. CONTACT/SITE: Avoid contact with the infected site.
  3. LAUNDRY: Regular washing (in hot water, with hot air drying, whenever possible) of your bulldog’s bed and other items that come into close and frequent contact with your pet.
  4. HYGIENE: Keeping your bulldog puppy’s infected site covered.
  5. CONTACT/PET: reducing contact with your infected bulldog puppy’s nose, and in general, reducing close contact with your bulldog (snuggling, nuzzling, hugging, and kissing) during the period of infection.

Bulldog Skin Infection STEM CELL THERAPY:

I have been treating chronic atopic itch allergic dermatitis with secondary MRSP with a new, cutting-edge, regenerative medicine, a self-healing treatment called Stem Cell Therapy

This state-of-the-art, new, treatment uses your pet’s anti-inflammatory repair cells to enhance healing, repair the immune system, control itch, and reduce inflammation.

MRSA and MRSP Infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs STEM CELLS

Bulldog MRSP Multi-Drug Resistant CULTURE TIP:

In contrast to a typical staphylococcus pyoderma, which is often treated symptomatically with antibiotics, MRSP antibacterial treatment choices should be based on culture and sensitivity testing.

Bulldog MRSP Skin Infection VIRULENCE TIP:

Unlike MRSA in people, there is NO indication that MRSP is more virulent than methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MSSP), and most reported infections have been treated successfully, though they usually take longer to resolve.

Bulldog MRSP Infection TREATMENT DURATION:

Treating MRSP can take 6–8 weeks, much longer than the 4-6-week MSSP infection

Multi-Drug Resistant MRSP  TREATMENT RESPONSE:

The clinical signs of methicillin-resistant infections are identical to methicillin-sensitive infections. Clinical suspicion of methicillin resistance includes lack of response to appropriate empirical therapy, worsening of signs while receiving therapy, and/or recurrent infections (particularly of the skin and ears).

Bulldog Yeast Infection /  YEAST & SEBORRHEA:

Often, methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections in bulldogs and French bulldogs are complicated by secondary yeast overgrowth and yeast infections, as well as primary or secondary seborrhea. Both of those secondary medical dermal conditions must be treated appropriately. Dr. Kraemer’s V4B product line can help control those medical skin conditions

MRSP Skin Bacteria ZOONOSIS TIP:

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is NOT a commensal organism in people and poses a little zoonotic risk.

Bulldog Skin Infection PROPER HYGIENE TIP:

All wounds should be kept covered to decrease the risk of environmental contamination.

Hand hygiene and environmental disinfection at home are just as important as in the clinic.

MRSP Bacteria Poyderma EMPIRICAL TREATMENT:

A methicillin-resistant infection should be suspected whenever there is a poor response to empiric antibiotics, especially if a patient has a history of treatment with multiple prior antibiotics, with limited improvement.

Bulldog MRSP UNDERLINING PROBLEM:

When treating multi-drug-resistant staph pyoderma, it is important to also treat the underlying, or predisposing conditions (allergies, parasites, hypothyroidism, etc).

Bulldog Skin Infection FOLLOW-UP EXAM:

Have your veterinarian re-evaluate your bulldog during therapy to ensure an appropriate response to treatment.

MRSP INFECTION DISINFECTION:

Disinfection of potentially contaminated surfaces is recommended.

BULLDOG MRSP SKIN INFECTION WARNINGS:

Although pets that are colonized or infected with MRSA, are most likely to contract the bacteria from people, pets may have the capability to be carriers of MRSA and subsequently pass it back to a human.

 MRSA ZOONOSIS WARNING:

Humans at risk:

  • immune-incompetent children
  • hospitalized patients
  • immune-suppressed individuals.

MRSA CONTACT WITH PETS:

Infected or colonized dogs should not be outdoors so that they will not encounter other dogs. Infected or colonized cats should be kept indoors.

BULLDOG MRSA KISSING:

While the infection is active, owners should be discouraged from kissing their pets or allowing their pets to lick them.

BULLDOG MRSA SHARING A BED:

During treatment, owners should not allow the pet to sleep in their bed, or with children.

MRSA vs. MRSP:

You must differentiate between MRSA and MRSP. Even though colonization of bulldogs with Staphylococcus aureus is possible, it is not very common since it is an indigenous component of normal humans, not dogs.

If your bulldog becomes colonized, the pet may serve as a source for infection to people without ever manifesting clinical signs.

Pet owners, rescue members, and veterinary personnel who come into contact with Staphylococcus aureus-colonized pets may then become MRSA carriers, which is why proper hygiene in those cases is so important.

Bulldog Skin Infection: EMPIRICAL ANTIBIOTICS WARNING:

When suspecting MRSP, I do not recommend empirical antibiotic treatment. A culture and sensitivity test is required to assure treatment to which the MRSP is not resistant.

MRSP INFECTION ZOONOSIS WARNING:

If your bulldog was diagnosed with MRSA (Staphylococcus aureus), be aware of the potential for zoonotic transmission. In general, the risk of clinical disease is probably low for immunocompetent people (i.e. a healthy immune system), nevertheless, everyone in contact with your dog should be alerted.

MRSP IMMUNE COMPROMISED RISKS:

Immune-compromised individuals, (HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, high doses of immune suppressant drugs like steroids, Prednisone, and other chemotherapy drugs), are more susceptible to contracting MRSP from pets.

Those immune incompetent and immune-suppressed individuals should avoid contact with pets and high-risk carriers like healthcare workers. In those cases, it is prudent to contact a family physician and inform him/her of the situation.

Precautions should be taken by these individuals to avoid contact with open wounds and pet feces.

BULLDOG MRSP ANTIBIOTICS WARNING:

Never treat methicillin-resistant infections in bulldogs with beta-lactam antibiotics (i.e., penicillins and cephalosporins), even if your veterinarian reports to you that the susceptibility test shows you can consider it an error.

Bulldog Skin Infection TREATMENT DURATION:

One of the most common reasons for a partial response to antibiotic treatment for pyoderma is its short duration. In addition, insufficient duration, or non-compliant owners can lead to bacterial multidrug resistance.

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The information provided on this platform is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian regarding any medical condition. It's important to always consider professional medical advice promptly and not to delay seeking it based on information you've read on this platform. Any reliance on the information provided here is entirely at your discretion.

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