Staphylococcosis is an infectious disease. Pathogens are bacteria Staphylococcus. Staphylococcus in dogs is characterized by otitis media, dermatitis, diseases of the genital organs.
In dogs, it is customary to distinguish between two forms of the disease. In the first form of staphylococcus, the infection is secondary, with it the course of already developed dermatitis is complicated. The second form is a generalized, independent disease. The skin and organs are involved in the pathological process. If you do not fight with a second infection, it will easily go into generalized. Staphylococcosis in puppies is manifested in the form of toxic infection.
Staphylococcus in dogs can occur with weakened immunity for some reason or in the event of massive infection. Factors predisposing to the disease:
- violation of carbohydrate metabolism - the level of carbohydrates is increased (sucrose, glucose) in tissues, skin, blood (the reason is diabetes mellitus, improper feeding);
- acquired or congenital immunodeficiencies;
- violation of the hormonal level (the level of thyroid hormones decreases or the level of corticosteroid hormones increases);
- violation of the exchange of vitamin and mineral (especially the lack of vitamins E, A, group B);
- general toxicosis (poisoning, impaired kidney, liver);
- systematic inflammatory and traumatic injuries of the skin, allergies, other pathological processes (with demodicosis, ulcers, erosion, infection with fleas and scabies mites) ;
- The genetic inability of the body itself to adequately respond to staphylococcus toxins (low resistance).
Symptoms
- the occurrence of dermatitis, commonly called pyoderma;
- damage to the genital mucosa (in bitches - vaginitis with catarrhal or purulent discharge, endometritis; in males - purulent discharge from prepuce, and in advanced cases, tissue growth in this area;
- otitis;
- conjunctivitis and inflammatory process in some glands.
In puppies, the course of the disease is similar to food poisoning. The disease begins suddenly, from the second to the seventh day of life. Diarrhea is noted, as a result - rapid dehydration. The outcome is fatal. Staphylococcal diarrhea in adult dogs is extremely rare.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of laboratory tests, taking into account clinical symptoms. Analysis requires discharge from a prepuce or vagina. It is pointless to take blood to determine this disease, since the activity of staphylococcus in it can be detected only with sepsis. Sowings from an ear, erosions and ulcers are uninformative.
Treatment of staph in dogs
Treatment must necessarily be comprehensive, including both local and general therapy. Staphylococcus aureus in dogs (like other types of staphylococcus) is treated with the drug ASP, staphylococcal antifagin , staphylococcal toxoid. Serums (hyperimmune, antistaphylococcal), immunoglobulin are used. The use of immunostimulants gives excellent results. Antibiotics are prescribed. Now a wonderful drug called “Bacteriophage" has appeared on the market (a virus-like living structure kills staphylococcus).
Prevention
It is important to know that staphylococcus in dogs may return some time after treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate predisposing factors. Your task is to increase the resistance of the animal to exclude a new disease. For the purpose of immunization, an ASP is used. In order to protect puppies, a bitch is given a prophylactic drug on the twentieth and fortieth days of puppyhood. Do not forget to observe the rules of hygiene. Provide the animal with a good balanced diet, daily long walks.