Stopping The Spread Of Staph

[cerri]

I'm a dog groomer and I'm about to start my own mobile dog business. My staffy is a carrier of staph and flares up most summers. I want to get everyone's opinion on how to stop me taking staph into my trailer and car and spreading it to my new clients. What precautions would everyone take and also what are the best disinfectants and hand washes that kills things like staph??

When I worked for someone I changed into my uniform at the salon washed my hands and left all my grooming tools at the salon. But my trailers going to be on my property. Any thoughts would be great:)

Edited May 18, 2013 by cerri

[~Anne~]

Staph? As in Staphylococcus?

[cerri]

Yep staphyloccus:)

[~Anne~]

A few questions first.

I assume that your dog has a predisposition, perhaps immune related, that causes him to break out with staph infections?

Is he always contagious or only during a break out? Is he a risk to all dogs or only those with immune illnesses?

[cerri]

He gets a staph out break due to a grass allergy, from what I understand they're always contagious if the have the bacteria staph on them but even more contagious when they have the sores. I want to try a natural diet and see if that helps with the allergies. A lot of dogs carry staph with no problem but I don't want to give it to a dog that has a comprimised immune system.

[Stitch]

If I were you I would be asking this question of your vet who would be able to give you an informed answer from his/her experience.

They must deal with this kind of thing frequently.

[~Anne~]

I can only offer advice from general knowledge of hygiene and disease control and having come into close contact with community acquired MRSA which is a staph infection in humans.

A household bleach bath was recommended as bleach will kill the bug. Open sores that were infected were to be covered at all times so that contact could not be made with others or the environment. The bug, which as you have said, can be present but a normal immune system does not allow it to take hold.

I was in very close contact with the bug but I never once developed any infection.

I would think that you might wear an apron or overalls when washing the dogs? If the apron/overalls are cleaned regularly and not washed with things from the infected dog then that would be a start. Perhaps you should also wear gloves when working. Your tools should also be sterilised regularly and kept apart from any tools you might use for your dog.

I'm not sure how long staph lives on surfaces. Perhaps if you find that out you might have ore idea of how cautious to be?

I also agree with the above re:calling your vet and asking. I would also seek the advice from experienced groomers and see what they do to control the spread of infectious disease within their businesses.