Well, we went off topic in another thread and talked about Macy having an ear infection.

My vet did a culture and it came back as staph bacteria. So it's an ear infection, but "it's only incidental that it is in both ears. A staph infection can effect any part of a dogs body."

He's prescribed Simplicef (cephalosporin), 200mg, once a day. After 14 days of that, we'll check up on her and probably do another 7 to 14 days.

Also, and this isn't really relevant, Macy is asleep right now and she sounds like Darth Vader. Silly dog.

He said that a "staph infection is not necessarily indicative of an underlying immuno-deficiency" and when I asked why she'd contracted it he looked at me like I was insane and said "Well, the bacteria is always present, sometimes dogs become infected."

Something about that doesn't scan for me. I mean, I know the bacteria is there, present on the skin, but even when she "scratches" or bites herself she doesn't scratch her ears. Is it the case that staph most often develops as a localized condition at the spot that the dog is biting or scratching?

Are there any other steps I can take to bolster her recovery? I'm hoping it's not Staph Hypersensitivity, and I'm not going to stress about that unless it reoccurs. I know a food allergy could have brought it on...Anyway, does anyone have experience with this infection? I'm googling it now.

It IS always present, and any breach in the normal defenses can allow it a toehold.

Examples are scratches ANYwhere on the body. It does not have to have been near or on the ear for the infection to have "settled" in the middle/inner ear.

Impetigo, folliculitis, cellulitis, mastitis, boils..... these and MANY other breaches allow the bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs.

"Well, the bacteria is always present, sometimes dogs become infected."

Yes. And it can be a "perfect storm" scenario, as opposed to a compromised immune system.

You will want to have the dog on excellent food, rest between somewhat gentler-than-usual exercise, and plenty of water and sleep.

I would start on probiotics too, after checking with the vet about whether it can be dairy or not.

Good plan to go for one protocol and then a RE-TEST.

And I'll betcha that clearing this up is going to change her entire health profile.