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Dogs and cats fetch owners’ infections

Man’s best friend is in the doghouse after a study has revealed pets are becoming infected with MRSA and transferring the superbug back to their owners. Preventing the spread of zoonoses – human diseases acquired by infection from animals – will be discussed at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain’s conference later this month.

Lecturer in veterinary dermatology at the Royal Veterinary College, Anette Loeffler, said they were starting to see patients coming out of hospital and transferring MRSA to their pets.

The pets can become infected, or they can become healthy carriers of the bacteria, and pass them back to their owners. “Dogs and cats typically acquire MRSA if there are certain risks in place. These risks are similar to those found in human hospitals. For example, the animal might be on antibiotics, or they might be undergoing surgery to remove cancer or to have a broken bone set. When the animal’s skin is open, it increases the risk of infection,” said Dr Loeffler.

Posted in Public Health on 09 April 2009
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