Recommendations for approaches to meticillin‐resistant staphylococcal infections of small animals: diagnosis, therapeutic considerations and preventative measures.

Abstract

Background – Multiple drug resistance (MDR) in staphylococci, including resistance to the semi‐synthetic penicillinase‐resistant penicillins such as meticillin, is a problem of global proportions that presents serious challenges to the successful treatment of staphylococcal infections of companion animals. Objectives – The objective of this document is to provide harmonized recommendations for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of meticillin‐resistant staphylococcal infections in dogs and cats. Conclusions – Adherence to guidelines for the diagnosis, laboratory reporting, judicious therapy (including restriction of use policies for certain antimicrobial drugs), personal hygiene, and environmental cleaning and disinfection may help to mitigate the progressive development and dissemination of MDR staphylococci.