Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccus pseudintermedius:
“This boo boo is not going away!”

Staphylococcus (staph) pseudintermedius is the most common bacteria found on dogs. This bacterium is a normal resident bacteria that happily lives on most dogs and rarely presents day-to-day problems. If there is a break in the skin barrier, then the bacteria can take advantage and overpopulate leading to infection.
Common antibiotics are usually the solution to these infections, but a small percentage of dogs may develop a skin infection caused by methicillin resistant Staphyloccus pseudintermedius (MRSP). MRSP does not cause more damage or worse disease than regular Staphyloccus, rather it is resistant to commonly used antibiotics and is more difficult to eradicate.
To confirm if a poor response to antibiotics is due to methicllin resistance, the veterinarian will take a sample for culture from the infected area and submit it to a microbiology laboratory. There, the lab will grow the bacteria and determine which antibiotic will be most effective in clearing the infection. Based upon the lab results, the veterinarian will then prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection often in combination with topical antiseptic solutions (baths, rinses, wipes and sprays).
Often the plan is to gain control of the infection and then formulate a plan to discover the cause of skin irritation and begin treatment for that disease. MRSP is most common in pets with recurrent skin infections due to underlying causes such as allergies. Additionally, dogs that have had previous courses of antibiotics are susceptible to MRS.
MRS only affects animals and rarely causes infections in people, but those with immune compromised systems, the elderly or the very young should take extra caution after handling a dog with MRS by washing hands well and always before meals. The risk is low, but if a non-healing skin wound develops, see your physician.

Former ADC doctor continues Derm career in Germany

From San Diego, CA to Germany has been the path taken by our former doctor Brett Wildermuth.
Dr. Wildermuth worked at Animal Dermatology Clinic – San Diego from 2003 to 2011. During that time, he completed his dermatology residency and successfully achieved Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Dermatology.
Tierdermatologie Dr. Wildermuth translates “Animal Dermatology Dr. Wildermuth” where he practices with his wife Kerstin Wildermuth. She too, is a board certified veterinary dermatologist who is also a native of Wiesbaden, Germany, the location of their practice.
Animal Dermatology Clinic and its dermatologists are very well known and respected internationally. Especially so in Germany since veterinarians who are interested in learning more about dermatology have taken European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS) courses in neighboring Austria, taught in part for many years by Animal Dermatology Clinic dermatologists Drs. Wayne Rosenkrantz (Tustin) and Craig Griffin (San Diego).
“My knowledge attained during my time as a partner with Animal Dermatology Clinic has been invaluable in Germany. Not only from a medical perspective, but also from the perspective of how a successful, modern dermatology specialty practice should be run,” says Dr. Wildermuth.
“Learning the German language has been and is extremely challenging, but also rewarding. The Germans have a lot of respect for Americans who learn German, as they know it is a very difficult language for an English speaker,” he says.
Dr. Wildermuth is missed by the staff and clients and wish him Glück!