Recurring Staph Infections - Answered by Dr. Van Lienden

[dante]

My 4 yr old pitbull developed a staph infection in Oct 03 and we have treated 4x for with different (very expensive) antibiotics for 8wks at a time. We have also used a Ph adjuster, taken away chew toys to keep his mouth area dry. He lives indoors with us and nothing has changed in his surroundings or diet. We recently lost one income and can no longer afford the medications that relieve (but do not cure) him from this ailment. A breeder acquaintance told us we should hit him with 1.5 cc of penicillin for 4-5 days in a row and then wait a week or two and then repeat again if necessary. Is this safe? Do you have any suggestions? We can't stand to see him suffer and want him back to his healthy, playful self.

Thanks for any info!

[SSAC]

It sounds as if your dog keeps building up a resistance to the antibiotics.

However, I would ask your vet before "hitting him up" with anything. It is illegal for your friend to administer any prescription drugs to your dog (breeder or not) unless they are a DVM. Ask your vet, if your vet okays it, then it's atleast "above board".

What if your dog is allergic to penicillin? Then what?

1.5cc could indicate the use of a needle. Very dangerous if someone doesn't know how to give a IM injection. Or is it oral penicillin?

Maybe someone on this site can offer you an alternative remedy -Luba?

[Luba]

Is your breeder a vet? If not then I would strongly suggest that you do not try to self medicate your dog. The results may be horrific!

I'm sure you've seen a regular vet however you may want to see a holistic vet or even a specialist.

When you say staph infection can you go into detail about it?

Do you walk your dog on a gentle leader? Are they a result of sores around the mouth?

Pls don't medicate w/o consulting a vet it's very dangerous.

You can give your dog some natural things to boost the immune system and some natural remedies to try and kill the infection.

Would you be willing? If so this is what you should consider

-shark cartilidge (daily)
-vitamin e (daily)
-fish oil (daily)
-oil of oregano (3x a day)
*Liquid form 3 drops in some yogurt or unsweetened applesauce 3x day
-Yogurt to boost the natural bacteria the antibiotics wiped out (daily)

[dante]

I have seen two vets, one who specializes in dermatology. We are in rural North Georgia and as far as I know we don't have any people holistic doctors in the area, let alone holistic vets. I walk him with a harness/leash. We (vet and I) think it initially occured because he stepped on glass and cut the padding off the paw. Vet said that sometimes "trauma" can cause the infection. The infection surrounds his mouth and now I am afraid it is moving to his feet as well.

No, the breeder is not a vet nor someone I know very well. We have spent apx. $1000 on this reoccuring problem and I can't keep doing that BUT I know it makes him feel bad and I would love to figure out a way just to keep it from flaring up. I would be very willing to try natural products and appreciate the feedback I received.

I know pits have skin problems so if any of you fellow pit owners have dealt with this type of problem, please, please offer suggestions.
Thanks

[Luba]

I offered some holistic remedies, would you like to try them?

[Luba]

Kimberly Stagmeier , DVM
Peace of Mind Vet
1506 Shadow Ridge Circle
Woodstock , GA 30189
USA
Phone: 770-516-9896
Fax: 770-516-9897
Species Preferences : SA, LA
Percent Homeopathic Cases : 75-100%
Phone Consultations Accepted

[petdr]

Since I don't know the distribution of lesions (I assume only around the mouth the way this is worded),I will address this question in a general way as if distribution did not matter. There is usually an immune reason for this kind of skin problem, either a hyper response, such as an allergy, auto-immune disease, scabies, etc.; or a hypo response, such as immune system impairment/failure, demidicosis, bone marrow stem cell failure, cancer, etc.

Response to antibiotics does not give a diagnosis, merely that the problem is antibiotic responsive. You are treating a symptom and not a root cause.

My suggestion is when the next episode happens, then a full blood panel (complete blood count, biochem profile, thyroid, and immunoglobulin levels), plus or minus a bone marrow aspirate. Skin scrapings to rule out ecto parasites, such as Demodex and Sarcoptes; hypo allergenic food trial for up to six months, and abdominal ultrasound exam may be required to categorize this problem.

I know it sounds incredibly expensive, but these 8 week trials with antibiotics aren't working vey well, and are also expensive. Talk to your vet, start running the simple basic tests and if need be, then work up to the more extensive tests.

But find a cause for this problem, don't mindlessly throw pills at it. Good luck.


Dr. Van Lienden

Dr. Raymond Van Lienden DVM
The Animal Clinic of Clifton
12702 Chapel Road, Clifton
Virginia, U.S.A. 20124
703-802-0490

[CyberKitten]

I agree with Dr. V. A staph infection is nothing to fool around with and needs serious medical attention, preferably in a vet clinic. Do you now the specific infection since not all staph infections are alike- some are worse than others and some are more antibiotic resistant. Giving your pet more antibiotics may actually just make her situation worse. You need to know what meds she is on and a plethora of info - best found by blood panels and other testing by a vet before you proceed. This is not an area for a breeder! Ever!

Good luck!

[BettyBoop]

Thank you Cyber. My Vet has done blood work-up, and has said it was Ok. I don't know if he has done the same testing you are talking about. However in past her blood has been out of wack in several areas. I have had many problems with her since I got her. I will never buy another dog at a pet store again. But I am glad that I have Babs because she will get proper care where someone else may not be able too.