You are most welcome! I am so glad you saw my article and tried the chlorhexadine treatment. Staph is turning out to be quite common in dogs it seems. I now know five friends and neighbors who have gone through the same experience with antibiotics and steroids, to no avail except their dog getting worse and getting side effects. Please pass this solution on to everyone you know who owns a dog (or cat)as there are, amazingly, many dogs afflicted with pyoderma caused by colonized staph aureus.

PS: I check my German Shepard, Lady, daily and she is free of sores! She had a small outbreak in December but I got it under control very quickly with just washing each individual sore and finding the sores early.
Warmest regards,
Diane

My dog has another infection again so I am busy treating. The trick is to be very vigilant. It is hard to bath her (she is a big dog with a thick coat) so I am now cleaning each sore daily with a moist cotton pad and chlorhexadine. I pull out loose hair, remove any scabs and loose skin and then scrub each sore gently, working up a lather. I let it sit for a few minutes and then dab the sore dry with a kleenex. Be sure to wear gloves, wash your hands thoroughly after the procedure and dispose of all cotton wipes and kleenex properly (put in a plastic bag as you’re working and then in the garbage). Clean each sore daily for at least 5 days, even if it looks healed, and alway inspect all over carefully for new sores. Keep cleaning the sores longer if you see any reddened areas or scabs on the sore. Keep removing dead skin.

Treatments like antibiotics and steroids have serious side effects, especially if used long-term, and should be avoided unless the condition cannot be controlled by the above procedures. Notice I used the word ‘controlled’. This disease will not be completely cured, even with antibiotics, but must be managed and treated until it runs its course (about 4 years). Remember, your pet has ‘colonized’ the staph infection so it will return regardless of the treatment. It will eventually disappear after about 4 years. Be sure not to take you pet around small children (other than family), the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. The family should wash hands well after hugging and petting your pet. Don’t forget your pet may have a fever, feel unwell and be irritable and may need extra love and attention. It is important to give them nutritious, preferrably ‘live’ food (such as meat, vegetables, rice, vitamin supplements, raw chicken necks to give calcium from the bones, etc.). Give them food they love to eat as this is NOT an allergy! Also, my dog used to pant continuously at night (fever?) but since I placed a fan by her bed, blowing right on her, she sleeps peacefully!

Another important tip: The staph infection can be harboured in the ‘nares’ or nose. The new sores originate from the staph that is colonized in the nose. You cannot use chlorhexadine near mucous membranes so try to obtain a prescription for ‘mupirocin’ antibiotic ointment to rub in the nose of your pet. My pharmacist made this into a nasal spray for my dog that I use for several weeks during and after an outbreak. One symptom is a chronically drippy nose or scabbing on the edges of the nares. Human patients who are found to carry resistant strains of S. aureus may be required to undergo “eradication therapy” which may include antiseptic washes and shampoos with chlorhexidine and application of topical antibiotic ointments (such as mupirocin or neomycin) to the anterior nares of the nose.

Another area that may harbour the staph infection is the dog’s elbow pads. Wash these areas with the chlorhexadine as well.

Wishing you good luck, patience and perseverance!
Best always,
Diane