Vet Advice 2025: MRSP and Spaying in Dogs 🐶🩺 by Dr Duncan Houston

Hello, I'm Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc. Today, we’re tackling an increasingly common question I hear from dog parents: Can a dog with MRSP still be safely spayed? 🐾 Let’s unpack this together in a way that’s practical, evidence-based, and pet-parent friendly.

🔬 What Is MRSP?

MRSP stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a bacteria naturally found on dogs’ skin and in their mouths and noses. Most dogs carry a version that’s treatable with common antibiotics. MRSP, however, is a strain that’s become resistant to many of those drugs—making it harder to treat if it causes an infection. 🧫

Unlike its human cousin MRSA, MRSP is a dog-specific staph. It’s not typically transmissible to people, but it can cause skin infections, surgical site infections, or wound complications in dogs if hygiene or immune defenses are compromised. 🐕‍🦺

⚠️ Why Does MRSP Matter for Spaying?

Because MRSP is now a leading cause of surgical site infections in dogs, it raises understandable concerns—especially with elective surgeries like spays and neuters. But the truth? There’s no need to panic. Here’s the simple breakdown ⬇️

✅ Safe to Spay if No Active Infection

If your dog is a healthy MRSP carrier but not actively infected (i.e., no skin lesions, draining wounds, or inflammation), the surgery can go ahead as planned. There is no evidence that MRSP carriers have an increased risk of complications during a routine spay. Here’s why:

• Spay-related infections are extremely rare. 🩷
• Preventative antibiotics are not routinely used or needed for low-risk spays. 🚫💊
• All dogs carry bacteria like S. pseudintermedius, resistant or not. It’s part of their normal flora. 🦠
• Standard surgical hygiene protocols (sterile instruments, antiseptic scrubs, clean rooms) are designed to prevent any bacterial contamination. 🧼🏥

🚫 Delay Surgery If MRSP Infection Is Active

On the other hand, if your dog has an active MRSP infection—especially skin infections near the proposed surgical site—then it’s best to delay surgery. Here’s why:

• Infections increase the total MRSP burden on the body, especially on the skin. 🐕🦠
• Surgery through infected or colonized skin heightens the chance of bacteria entering the wound. 🩹⚠️
• Surgical sites can become infected post-op, leading to more complications and difficult treatment. 💊🧪

In short: If there’s active infection, wait. If not, proceed. Simple as that. 💡

💬 Understanding MRSP Risks

The key to understanding MRSP isn’t in panicking over antibiotic resistance—but rather recognizing how modern veterinary practices are built to prevent infections altogether.

Every dog, resistant or not, carries staph species on their skin. It’s why we clip, scrub, and sterilize in surgery. So whether your dog is MRSP-positive or not, the same high-level safety protocols are applied. 🧽🧤

🦴 What About Orthopedic or Complex Surgeries?

This is where things get a bit trickier. For surgeries like knee repairs or bone plates, the stakes are higher:

• These surgeries often use prophylactic antibiotics 💉
• Infections in these areas can be harder to treat and more damaging ⚙️
• MRSP is a common offender in failed orthopedic implants 🦴

In these cases, testing for MRSP and possibly delaying surgery may be considered if there’s a known MRSP status. It’s an evolving area in veterinary medicine, and we’re always refining our strategies. 🧬📚

📅 Summary: MRSP and Spaying Decision Flow

• 🐕 Healthy with past MRSP but no symptoms? ✅ Go ahead with surgery
• 🐾 Active infection or visible lesions? ❌ Wait until cleared
• 🦴 Planning orthopedic or implant surgery? 🚨 Consult your vet about risks and timing

🏥 Ask A Vet Can Help!

Not sure if your dog is a carrier? Need help interpreting test results or deciding when to proceed with surgery? The Ask A Vet app is your go-to for real-time, vet-approved advice—anytime, anywhere. 📱🐾

We’re here to guide you and your pup safely through the MRSP maze so you can make informed, confident choices. 🎯🐶

📝 Final Tips

• Always discuss your dog’s infection history before elective surgery 🗒️
• Use antiseptic shampoos pre-surgery if advised 🧴
• Follow all post-op care instructions to the letter 📋
• When in doubt, reach out to a vet you trust—or use the Ask A Vet app ❤️