My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

My dog keeps breaking out with sores on his head %26amp; neck, I took him to the vet this morning because the sores seemed to have gotten worse over night (puss and swollen). The vet shaved off his hair and under his hair, his skin was all irritated and practically raw which the dr. called "hot spots". He told me that he had a Staph Infection (no biopsy or culture was taken), plus an ear infection. I came home and did a little research on the internet - and what I read is that most staph infections are secondary reactions to something else like an allergy to something. I specifically asked the dr. if he was having an allergic reaction to something and he told me no. The dr. gave him a shot of antibiotics, plus oral antibiotics, he also gave him topical spray to clean the "hot spots", plus ear drops for the ear infection. Does this sound accurate???? Also, is it common to get a Staph Infection on the face and head??? He told me the infec. was caused by a wound that just got infected

My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

Yes it sounds perfectly correct. Your dog could have scratched him self and set off a reaction that just got worse and spread. Its summer and these kind of infections can really spread something horid over night. You did the right thing by taking him to the vets, now just follow his instructions and your dog will heal and get better.

My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

Staph is always present on all of our skins, whether we are 2- or 4-legged. A break in the skin (scratch, flea bite, whatever) gives this opportunistic bacteria a toehold. My guess is that your pup was bitten and once bitten it itched and he would not let it be; scratched at it and spread it.

On us we call it impetigo. What your vet told you sounds right to me; keep the spots clean and dry.

http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/deh...

My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

Yes, I also agree that your vet is doing exactly the right thing.

Staph infections can be very resilient and take a long time to clear up. Don't despair or second-guess the diagnosis. It will heal, in time.

Also, if your dog has a dog bed, throw it out. Cover his sleeping area(s) with something easily washable, like towels, and change them daily if possible. Don't wash them with everybody else's laundry, because some staphs strains can spread this way.

Everyone in the house should practice excellent personal hygiene. Wash your hands often. If you have young children, be extra vigilant.

Good luck!

My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

This does sound right - essentially. While you asked if he was having an allergic reaction and your vet rightly said no, your dog might have an underlying allergy which cause itching or irritation initially. Also, your doctor can't be certain that its a staph infection without a culture, chances are good that that's what it is. All the meds sound right, and are necessary. In addition, be sure to keep the hot spots clean and dry, and most importantly prevent your dog from scratching at them. That'll make everything worse.

My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

Staph infections can occur anywhere, but ANY time a skin condition is going to be diagnosed, it's best to get a skin sample.

My dog has a Staph Infection - does this sound right???

Well I have staph. Not sure which kind or how I got it but every other month or so I have an outbreak. Sometimes its caused by an ingrown hair, sometimes a zit, or sometimes a flea, chigger, or mosquito bite.

Its very frustrating because they always put me on Bactrum and Bactrum always seems to give me yeast infections which I have to treat with the suppositories-which tend to give me a UTI-then i have to drink cranberry juice, take cranberry pills, and drink lots of water until it goes away.

Yeah, I hate staph-its a nightmare.

You should seriously get a second opinion from another vet. If the infected area gets too bad, it can be painful as hell and its harder to drain all the infection out.

I still have a knot on my leg from where i let the infection get too bad and it left an air pocket permenately in my leg.

I hope your dog gets better.

Good luck!