| What is MRSA anyway? It is a medical term from the | | | | The MRSA bacteria can be harbored in your dog's |
| particular strain of bacteria, which is Methicillin-Resistant | | | | nose through close contact with an infected animal or |
| Staphylococcus Aureus hence the name M R S A for | | | | human and can be passed on to other species. |
| short. | | | | The scientific terms are explained as the difference |
| As any form of bacteria spreads throughout human | | | | between a colonized animal that carries the bacteria |
| contact this particular bacteria is spread to or from | | | | and does not exhibit signs of the infection, and is a |
| your pet dog or cat and horse. However, this staff | | | | carrier that remains healthy. The same is actually true |
| infection has mutated to become resist to penicillin a | | | | of humans who are carriers that remain healthy but |
| super bug that kills 2,000 people a year of community | | | | can infect others. This is a good example of the |
| based MRSA. | | | | necessity of keeping a healthy immune system in your |
| MRSA can be spread from your dog's nose to an | | | | pet. A compromised immune system, which is |
| open sore or wound as an entry point to the rest of | | | | affected by a poor diet and other factors, can be a |
| the body through the skin. It starts with what appears | | | | help to these super bugs. |
| as a pimple and then turns ugly, but caught early it can | | | | MRSA is no longer contained to hospitals and it is said |
| be treated successfully. | | | | that it will increase and become more common in the |
| It actually appears on the skin surface and this staph | | | | animal population in the future. |
| bug shows itself as a skin eruption infected with the | | | | Some would argue that using antibiotics frequently |
| bacteria. MRSA appears as an opened skin lesion | | | | wears down their effectiveness as in the case of |
| where the skin is being broken, red, sore, infected | | | | MRSA - the super bugs of today are resistant to |
| sometimes with a green pus color. | | | | antibiotics. Some antibiotics such as gentamycin can |
| The MRSA infection is being spread amongst football | | | | damage kidneys and cause hearing loss. |
| players at Mount Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania | | | | If you give the wrong antibiotic, you can wipe out the |
| and parents are calling for a disinfecting of football | | | | good bugs and allow the bad bugs to grow more |
| fields, locker rooms, and increased hygiene for the | | | | rapidly. |
| players. | | | | Preventing Your Dog from MRSA Bacteria: |
| The infected players kept their infections covered by | | | | 1) Do not kiss your dog or cat especially on your lips or |
| bandages to prevent spreading the bacteria. Thirteen | | | | near your dogs' mouth or nose. |
| players on the team became infected and over four | | | | 2) Avoid your pet licking your face or contact with |
| NFL teams have become infected with the point of | | | | your face. |
| entry being a cut or open wound where it gains | | | | 3) Wash your hands very frequently before and after |
| access to the body. One must be vigilant with all cuts, | | | | touching your pet. |
| and open sores and disinfect them immediately to | | | | 4) Keep you pet clean with a bath or hygienic sprays. |
| prevent the bacteria from spreading in people and | | | | 5) Always keep your dog's immune system strong |
| pets. | | | | and healthy to avoid thisbacteria strain with |
| The bacterium is now spread amongst people and to | | | | anti-oxidents and supplements. |
| animals therefore your pet is at risk when in contact | | | | 6) Use antibiotics sparingly if you use them at all, as |
| with infected or carrier humans such as their owners | | | | they wear down the immune system. |
| often called reverse zoonosis. | | | | 7) Clean your dog's water bowls and food bowls with |
| The medical treatment of MRSA with humans is an | | | | disinfectants and rinse withvery hot water. |
| antibiotic - there is only one known to be effective and | | | | 8) Do not let pets share food or water bowls if they |
| it is the last resort for an infected human when they | | | | are sick or infected. |
| are past the early stages of this infection. | | | | These preventive measures will help your pet to stay |
| MRSA is spreading widely and is said to have been | | | | healthy and strong and avoid the staph infection |
| cultured in animals such as pigs and horses on farms. | | | | MRSA in the future. |