Vet Guide 2025: MRSA vs. MRSP in Dogs & Cats—Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention 🧫🐶

Superbugs aren’t just a human problem. In 2025, veterinarians are treating more drug-resistant infections than ever—and pets are not immune. Two of the most concerning culprits? MRSA and MRSP. These bacteria are tough to treat and can spread between people and pets 🧬🐾.

As Dr Duncan Houston, I want to walk you through what makes these bacteria so dangerous, how to spot infections, and what you can do to prevent them in your home 🧠.

🦠 What Is MRSA?

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It’s a type of bacteria commonly found on human skin and in the nose, but it's resistant to many antibiotics—including methicillin and its cousins 💊.

⚠️ Key Traits of MRSA:

• 🧪 Resistant to multiple antibiotics (multi-drug resistant)
• ⚡ Adapts quickly to survive treatments
• 💉 Can cause infections in skin, lungs, blood, or wounds

While methicillin isn’t used anymore, the term “MRSA” remains as a catch-all for drug-resistant staph infections that resist traditional treatments 🔍.

🦠 What Is MRSP?

MRSP stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudointermedius. It’s the pet-world counterpart to MRSA, and it’s most often found in dogs 🐶 (less frequently in cats 🐱).

🔍 MRSP Overview:

• 🧪 Found naturally on pet skin and mucous membranes
• 💥 Causes skin, ear, and surgical infections
• 🚫 Resistant to many antibiotics

Like MRSA, MRSP is extremely difficult to eliminate once it takes hold, and can stick around for months or even years on the same animal 🕐.

🌍 Where Do MRSA and MRSP Come From?

🧍 MRSA Origins:

• 🧑‍⚕️ Hospitals and healthcare settings
• 🏋️‍♂️ Gyms, dorms, or anywhere with skin-to-skin contact
• 🧼 Contaminated items like towels, razors, or bandages

🐾 MRSP Origins:

• 🏥 Veterinary hospitals or clinics
• 🐕 Pets with chronic skin issues or wounds
• 🧬 Cross-contamination between animals

Pets are more likely to get MRSP from other animals or clinical environments, while people usually contract MRSA from other people or contaminated surfaces ⚠️.

📋 What Do MRSA and MRSP Look Like?

Infections from both MRSA and MRSP may present with:

• 🔴 Red, swollen skin
• 💥 Pus or discharge from wounds
• 📈 Fever or lethargy
• 🦵 Difficulty healing from surgery or wounds

Important: You cannot identify MRSA or MRSP just by looking. Always have your vet run lab tests if your pet shows signs of infection 🧪🩺.

🐕 Can I Catch MRSA or MRSP From My Pet?

👨‍👩‍👧 MRSA:

• 📈 People are the primary carriers
• 🐾 Pets can get MRSA from people, but rarely the other way around
• ✅ Healthy pets often clear the infection on their own

🐶 MRSP:

• 📉 MRSP prefers pets and rarely infects humans
• ⚠️ Transmission between pets is the bigger concern
• 🏥 Long-term colonization is common, especially in dogs

While zoonotic transmission is rare, maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness when dealing with any infection is crucial 🧼.

🛡️ How to Prevent MRSA/MRSP Infections

🧼 Good Hygiene:

• 🚿 Wash hands after handling pets, especially those with wounds
• 🧴 Use sanitizer when soap isn’t available
• 🧺 Wash pet bedding and towels frequently

🩹 Wound Care:

• 📦 Cover open wounds with clean bandages
• 🔄 Change dressings regularly
• 📞 Call your vet if a wound isn’t healing properly

💊 Medication Use:

• ⏳ Complete all prescribed antibiotics
• 🚫 Never share medications between pets or people
• ❌ Don’t stop antibiotics early, even if symptoms improve

📲 Ask A Vet: We’re Here When Infections Strike

If your pet has a stubborn wound, skin infection, or was recently at a clinic—don’t guess. Reach out to licensed vets at AskAVet.com or on the Ask A Vet app. We help guide testing, treatment, and isolation tips for MRSP and more 📱🐾.

✅ Final Thoughts: Respect the Bug, Don’t Fear It

In 2025, MRSA and MRSP remain important health issues—but with awareness, early detection, and careful hygiene, you can protect both your pets and your people 💉🐾.

Be smart. Be safe. And talk to your vet if anything looks unusual. Superbugs may be strong—but informed pet owners are stronger 💪🧼.