Antibiotic-Resistant Bulldog Staph Infection Question
My bulldog suffers from MRSA staph. We have tried so many antibiotics including rifampin and chloramphenicol being the most recent. No antibiotics have responded.
- Have you dealt with this situation before?
- What do you advise?
INFECTION DIAGNOSIS CONDUCTED
- Jan 2024 we did a skin scrape
- March 2024 was when we completed the last culture we also did some blood work during this time to monitor levels. I have attached her record and 2 photos.
- She has sores, a red rash and gets very wet under her neck and belly area. It tends to get smelly.
- She is currently on apoquel 16mg 1x daily.
- Her diet is HP Royal Canin
- I bathe her with trichlor 4 shampoo about every 2 to 3 days.
- Topical: 1%silver sulfadiazine cream 1x daily
- No supplements
Thank you,
Brittany
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 2 weeks ago
Answer for Antibiotic-Resistant Bulldog Staph Infection
Dear Brittany and Milla,
Poor Milla! This infection looks quite raw and uncomfortable. I understand how concerning this can be. 🤕
WHAT IS BULLDOG MRSP INFECTION?
MRSP (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius), is essentially a mutated form of the common skin bacteria (Staphylococcus) normally found in dogs.
What makes MRSP challenging is that it doesn’t respond to typical Staph-sensitive antibiotics.
What Are Common Primary Bulldog Skin Diseases?
It’s important to remember that bacteria are naturally present on the skin. However, when there’s an infection, it usually indicates an underlying issue, such as:
- Compromised skin barrier (damage or irritation)
- Suppressed or weak immune system
- Allergies (environmental or food-related)
- Mites: Demodex mites are a common cause of skin infections, often related to an incompetent immune system.
- Fungi dermatophytes (ringworm)
- Skin keratinization problems
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g., hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease)
- Dysbiosis and leaky gut
- Abnormal skin microbiome
What Are The Recommended Tests For Bulldog MRSP?
Below are the most common tests we recommended for bulldog nonresponsive skin infections:
- Scrape: A skin scrape test by your vet can help determine if mites are involved.
- Blood tests: help rule out hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease
- Allergies tests: with food trial and VARL
- Fungal culture (e.g., ringworm)
- Culture Sensitivity test: to identify the exact bacteria and best antibiotics to help treat them
- Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy may be required to check for skin cancer and autoimmune conditions like pemphigus.
How To Treat Bulldog MRSP?
Regardless of the primary issue, it’s crucial to include non-prescription, topical bulldog therapeutics to eliminate septic microorganisms and help soothe and heal the skin. These can include:
BULLDOG TOPICAL THERAPEUTICS
- Yeasty bully antiseptic
- medicated shampoos
- waterless no rinse gels
- hot spot spray
- Bully Itch Relief
- Bully itchless medicated shampoo
- Cream rinse itchLess conditioner
- Bully itchLess Spray
- Hypoallergenic shmpoo and conditioner
BULLDOG THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS:
You can also combine and add bully therapeutic supplements such as
- bully skin & coat derma care
- bully itch & allergy formula
- fish oil (EFAs)
- bully immune support
- bully probiotics and digestive enzymes.
ANTIBIOTICS FOR BULLDOG SKIN INFECTION
Antibiotics should be based on culture and sensitivity results.
Antibiotic treatment typically lasts several weeks.
⚠️It’s important not to stop the antibiotics until a negative culture confirms that the infection is fully resolved.
How to Treat Bulldog MRSP Staph Infection SUMMARY:
🩺 Identify and treat the underlying cause: whether it’s mites, endocrine diseases, allergies, or other conditions.
🩺Treat MRSA with appropriate antibiotics as determined by culture and sensitivity tests, and only discontinue after a negative follow-up culture.
🩺Incorporate bully topical treatments and therapeutic supplements during treatment and as preventative care.
Wishing Milla a speedy recovery!
Dr. Kraemer Vet4Bulldog
