Staph infections

[SharonM]

I noticed what looked like a big scab on Blackie's head the other night - at first I assumed it was a wound, but once I cleaned it up better today, I realized it was an area of Staph infection. He used to get little breakouts on his rump but it's been years since he's had any.
I shaved it down (boy does it look ridiculous) and used some baby shampoo to scrub it as clean as I could then put some cream on it.
I had him groomed up at work a couple of weeks ago, and I wonder if that's where he picked it up. We've had a few dogs that have skin problems come in to be groomed ... I'm kinda leary of taking him back next time he needs groomed, ya know ?? I've never been there late enough to see how well the blades etc. are sanitized at the end of the day, and I've never personally seen how well they're cleaned between doggies.
Could he have picked it up there, do you think ? Could it have taken this long to finally show up if he did ?

[Jade]

Staph can live in the fur and on the skin, so it's very feasible that he did! I'm sorry Sharon, hug your pup for me!

[capnsweets]

I hope he will be okay? What does a staph infection do? I hope it doesn't make him too uncomfortable!

[SharonM]

Usually Blackie's would go away after I shaved the hair off of the spots and cleaned them up real well. There's little oozing pustules, and along with being itchy, the whole area gets this hard, thick nasty scab. I'm a little worried because he seems to have a bump there too - when Dutch was a puppy he had a spot in almost the exact spot that turned into a tumor that had to be removed ... no way do I wanna deal with that again.
I tried to put some cream on it, but the dummy rubbed it all off ... sorry if the picture grosses anyone out ...

[SharonM]

OOPS!

[Crittercall]

If it looks like staph and smells like staph - well, you know the rest!

If you are able (I have trouble with this sometimes) ask your groomer about how they clean their equipment, etc. You know the bit, don't be defensive just do that good dumb blonde act of "I don't know where he got this!"

Tibby gets staph in an area that she doesn't like to mention. It was kind of funny when Bubba had to take her to the vet and told him - as tho he (BUB) were the one who had found it - said that he believed she had staph. Got him into a deep conversation that he knew nothing about! Daisy (my daughter's Golden) has problems with recurring staph, too, and it always takes a round of antibiotics to clear it up.

Good luck! That stuff smells so yucky, and the poor dog has to be miserable! And I love pictures like that! Erin is forever sending me pictures of pieces and parts of her dogs and asking what I think!!

[Jodi]

Oh, poor Blackie. I hope he feels better soon.

I don't know if it can be passed by the grooming stuff but I bet it can.

[fstybrat]

I always thought staph infection was a result of a cut of nick in the skin with a non sterile instrument? I realize humans are different than animals when it comes to a lot of stuff, but my BIL had his ear pierced a while back & got staph infection in his knee.
could Blackie have been nicked by the shears somewhere??

[capnsweets]

Thanks for explaining it and I hope he feels better/stops itching/leaves t he cream on!