Houston is a hub for MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections.  MRSA is a bacteria that is resistant to penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics.

Some of us have had our own personal MRSA experience with our family members.
 
The question a lot of clients ask is: "Can my pet get MRSA ? "  The answer is yes, but cases are not all that common.

MRSA occurs in both dogs and cats. Pets usually contract MRSA from their owners. Once this occurs, the pet can transmit the bacteria back to the owner.

Now, we want to stress that when your veterinarian tells you your pet has a staph infection, it is not MRSA.
Dogs commonly get staphylococcus intermedius, which is a skin infection; it’s easily treated with antibiotics, including penicillin and cephalosporins.

It is important to remember to practice good hygiene with yourself and with your pet. -Wash your hands frequently, and don't let your pet lick an open wound on your body.

When walking your dog be aware that the sidewalk can get very hot and can even burn the pads of the dog’s paws!   Try to walk your dog on grass. Find the coolest time of day to go for long walks.   Pets can suffer from heat exhaustion, so keep an eye on your pets' activity level on hot days.

 Some people have hair trimmed from long haired dogs, and cats. You should talk to your groomer first because sometimes this hair is actually insulating the animal and protecting it from the sun, and heat.

 Dogs often enjoy playing in the water to keep cool, you can provide them with a shallow child’s swimming pool filled with enough water that the dog can stand up in. Add some floating balls and toys.

You can also help dogs to stay cool by soaking a rope toy in water, and freezing it before giving it to the dog to play with.

 And NEVER leave your pets in a car!  -Not even "for a minute".  Even with the windows open, temperatures inside a car can quickly reach triple digits.

 This is only a short guide, if you have more summer tips for pet owners please share them with us and others by leaving a comment.