Staphylococcus in cats causes severe skin damage. Such a disease is sometimes very difficult to cure. In addition, pathology very often leads to serious complications. Staphylococcal infection is especially dangerous for small kittens. Animals are very easily infected with this bacterium from each other. Every cat owner needs to know about the signs and treatment of this serious illness.
Microorganism description
Staphylococci is a group of bacteria. Currently, several varieties of these microorganisms are distinguished:
- saprophytic;
- epidermal;
- golden.
The most common type of golden bacteria. It causes severe inflammation with suppuration.
Translated from the ancient Greek language, the word "staphylos" means "bunch of grapes." Hence the name of the microorganism. Staphylococci under a microscope look like spherical clusters of golden color.
Such bacteria are opportunistic microbes. Staphylococcus aureus can remain in the body of a cat for a long time without causing any damage. At this point, the bacterium is in an inactive state. But under the influence of adverse external and internal factors, staphylococcus becomes pathogenic. This leads to painful manifestations. Most often, the occurrence of pathogenicity is promoted by a decrease in immunity.
Causes of pathology
There are certain factors that can contribute to the activation of staphylococcus in cats. Under their influence, bacteria become pathogenic and lead to the development of the disease. The following reasons can be identified that contribute to the increased activity of microorganisms:
- Excess carbohydrate in the body. If the cat's diet is dominated by cereals, potatoes, as well as bread products, then such an animal is especially susceptible to infections.
- Poor state of the immune system. With the weakening of the body's defenses, opportunistic bacteria become pathogenic. Immunodeficiency conditions can be congenital or occur after serious illness. In this case, Staphylococcus aureus is especially dangerous in cats. With weak immunity, this bacterium can cause severe purulent inflammation.
- Endocrine Disorders Hormonal malfunctions are most often observed in older pets.
- Vitamins. Deficiency of vitamin A, E and group B leads to malfunctions of the immune system.
- Poisoning. Exposure to toxins leads to a deterioration in the general condition of the body and a decrease in immunity.
- Allergic rashes, dermatitis and eczema. Skin diseases increase the risk of damage to the epidermis by staphylococcal infection. External parasites in cats (fleas, ticks) are especially dangerous. Their bites are accompanied by severe itching. Scratches are formed on the skin through which bacteria penetrate.
- Diabetes. This pathology leads to a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, as a result of which staphylococcus is activated.
Which breeds are most susceptible to infection
A cat of any breed can become infected with staphylococcus and get sick. However, hairless animals (different types of sphinxes) are more susceptible to infection. They easily form wounds on the skin through which bacteria penetrate. In addition, such animals are often supercooled, which helps to reduce the body's resistance.
Staphylococcus is often found in cats of the Persian breed. This is especially true of animals, which the owners release on independent walks. Persian cats are often aggressive and engage in fights with their stray relatives. As a result, pets get wounds through which bacteria enter the body. In addition, in animals with long hair, staphylococcus skin lesions are more severe.
Is it possible to get infected from a cat
Can a person get staph bacteria from a sick cat? This way of infection is quite possible. A person can get staph from the animal in the following ways:
- contact;
- alimentary;
- airborne.
Most often, infection occurs with a bite. For the penetration of bacteria, even a small wound from the teeth of a cat is enough. The infection is also transmitted if the person did not wash his hands after playing with the pet or cleaning the tray. Also, do not bend close to the nose of the animal. Keep your face as far away as possible from the muzzle of a sick cat.
Especially often, bacteria and children become infected with bacteria. Therefore, each person should be aware of the symptoms and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in cats. This will help to identify the disease in time and protect yourself from infection.
Symptoms
The incubation period can be different: from several days to several weeks. At this time, the pet looks quite healthy and his health remains normal.
Then the general symptoms of staphylococcus in cats appear:
- temperature rise;
- apathy;
- thirst;
- weakness;
- refusal of food.
There is a lesion of the skin - pyoderma. The animal is tormented by severe itching. On the epidermis, you can notice small sores. These are the initial signs of staphylococcus in cats. Photos of the manifestations of the disease can be seen below.
If treatment is not carried out at the initial stage, then pyoderma passes into weeping dermatitis. Areas of baldness appear, fluid (exudate) with an unpleasant odor is released from the skin. Dermatitis is especially severe in overweight animals, in cats of long-haired breeds, as well as in pets infected with fleas and ticks.
In the future, the inflammatory process captures the hair follicles. Vials with purulent contents form on the skin. Due to severe itching, the cat becomes aggressive and irritable. The animal cannot eat and sleep normally.
If untreated, pyoderma extends to the deep sections of the epidermis and to the subcutaneous tissue. Boils form. The foci of baldness are increasing. In the nose you can see crusts.
Staphylococcus in cats can affect not only the skin, but also other organs:
- The reproductive system. Females develop vaginal inflammation, and then the infection enters the uterus. This leads to endometritis. The cat is disturbed by pain in the lower abdomen, exudate is secreted from the genital tract. In cats, the foreskin becomes inflamed, and pus comes out of the penis.
- Organ of hearing. Staphylococcus causes otitis media - inflammation of the middle ear. In this case, the cat often scratches the ears and shakes his head. Then there is a pain syndrome. The animal does not tolerate even light touches to the ears. Shells look swollen and sore.
- Eyes. Very rarely, staphylococcus can affect the organ of vision. In this case, purulent conjunctivitis occurs in cats.
Features of infection in kittens
Signs of staphylococcus in kittens resemble the clinical picture of poisoning or pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. The cub suffers from severe diarrhea. Ulcers form in the throat. Such symptoms are often observed in kittens in the first weeks of life.
In such cases, the kitten needs emergency veterinary care. Very often, cubs die from dehydration. With staph infection in adult cats, diarrhea is rare.
Complications
It is very important to timely treat Staphylococcus aureus in cats. In advanced cases, a bacterial disease can lead to sepsis. This complication is often called blood poisoning. At the same time, bacteria constantly circulate in the plasma. Toxins of microorganisms accumulate in the blood, which extremely negatively affect the work of the heart and blood vessels. Blood poisoning often leads to septic shock and death of the animal.
Diagnostics
If staphylococcus is suspected, the veterinarian prescribes a series of tests. The manifestations of this infection resemble the symptoms of many other diseases. Therefore, for differential diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct the following studies:
- blood test for bacterial seeding;
- microscopy of scrapings from the affected area of the skin;
- swabs of discharge from the genital tract.
A general blood test for staphylococcal infection is uninformative, since pronounced changes are noted only at the stage of sepsis.
Treatment methods
How to treat staph in cats? This infection requires long-term complex therapy. It is impossible to get rid of a bacterial lesion in a few actions.
A multivalent antistaphylococcal toxoid is prescribed (the drug "ASP"). This medicine affects the cause of the disease. It can kill bacteria. Anatoxin is administered intramuscularly.
Therapy is supplemented with the use of antibiotics:
- Gentamicin.
- Amikacin.
- Tsifloksa.
- Baytrila.
- "Azithromycin".
Local treatment of staphylococcus in cats is also necessary. For this purpose, antibacterial external agents are used:
- Streptocide ointment.
- Sulfacyl ointment.
- Mafenid.
These drugs are able to destroy staphylococcus, and also have a wound healing effect.
"Antistaphylococcal bacteriophage" is an effective local remedy. The solution is applied to the lesions in the form of lotions or tampons. The drug is a particle of special viruses that kill strains of staphylococci.
With severe diarrhea and dehydration, small kittens are given droppers with saline solutions. The same therapy is indicated for adult cats with severe intoxication.
Prevention
Staphylococcus in cats is easier to prevent than to cure. After all, such a bacterial lesion requires long-term therapy. It is necessary to protect your pet from infection. To do this, it is necessary to exclude contact of the pet with stray cats and dogs. Care must be taken to ensure that the cat's diet is complete. Vitamin deficiency and an excess of carbohydrates in food can cause a decrease in immunity and activation of bacteria.
The chronic diseases of cats must be carefully treated. Particular attention should be paid to the antiparasitic treatment of animal hair. The presence of ticks and fleas can provoke activation of staphylococcus and lead to a more severe course of skin lesions. Therefore, feline parasites must be disposed of in a timely manner.