| MRSA
in Pets |
The staphylococcus aureus bacteria is believed
to be carried harmlessly by one in three humans and is now also
believed to be carried by our pets. In healthy people and pets,
this is nothing to worry about. The problems arise when the bacteria
enters the bloodstream via say an open wound. Vulnerability to the
bug also occurs in people and animals with underlying health problems
or suppressed immune systems. MRSA is the name given to those instances
where this staphylococcus aureus (SA) bacteria proves resistant
to antibiotic treatment.
The MRSA bug kills approximately 5,000 patients each year in British
hospitals and is now also claiming the lives of our pets. The Health
Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed that the bacteria have been
discovered in a dozen animals across the country. MRSA is everywhere
and for pets as well as humans, the infection can be life-threatening.
On 24th August 2004, Jill Moss lost her 10 year old Samoyed, Bella,
to the superbug. Jill believes that Bella picked up the infection
during a routine operation and she has since launched a campaign
to educate as many vets and pet owners as she can about the risks
of the MRSA bug to animals. She is also campaigning for tighter
guidelines for veterinary practices.
“MRSA is crossing the barrier between human and animal;
it’s real, it’s life-threatening, and it’s avoidable.”
Jill feels that, had the risks and symptoms of MRSA been known
and explained, an earlier diagnosis could have been made and Bella
would have had a better chance of survival.
When recalling the events that lead to Bella’s untimely death,
Jill explains how a routine operation on Bella had apparently gone
well but that, after coming home from the hospital, Bella didn’t
improve. Bella was actually suffering from an infection which Jill
feels was not recognised or treated early enough. By the time Jill
managed to get treatment for Bella at a specialist referral hospital,
Bella was in septic shock and had the beginnings of pneumonia. That
is when they discovered that Bella’s infection was actually
MRSA.
“After four weeks and much suffering, and the attempts
of a specialist veterinary hospital to save her, Bella’s body
was overwhelmed by the infection and there was no choice but to
put her to sleep.”
Jill has launched a web site to provide information on MRSA
at www.pets-mrsa.com
“I think it’s important for pet owners to know
that the hospitals where pets are treated understand properly the
risks from serious infections. They should also expect that staff
are properly trained and prepared to deal with them.”
While it seems clear that the infection ultimately killed Bella,
what is not clear is the source of the MRSA. Could it be that Bella
was actually the MRSA carrier, or did the infection originate from
the veterinary practice or its staff?
Professor Mack Johnston, Professor of Veterinary and Public Health
at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, said that he would
find it a cause for concern for a vet to dismiss out of hand the
possibility that MRSA was on his premises.
Dr. Alistair Gibson, Spokesman for the British Small Animal Veterinary
Association (BSAVA) says:
“I wouldn’t agree that vets don’t take infection
control seriously. I think that there is a very high standard of
infection control and expertise in the practices around the country.
The guidelines that the BSAVA sets are to a high standard, and although
it’s true that these are entirely voluntary at present, we
hope that there will be agreement with the Royal College on developing
standards that vets will be required to follow.”
The BSAVA are about to publish guidelines on its website regarding
ways in which vets can prevent infection and also deal with infection
if it occurs.
Hydrotherapy pools have also been discussed as a possible site of
transmission and it is known that Bella regularly attended hydrotherapy
swims at the Royal Veterinary College. Again though, high standards
of cleanliness should minimise any risks.
The issue of the spread of MRSA to animals is a cause of concern
and more research is needed. However, experts do stress that the
chances of the bug transferring to humans is small. David Lloyd,
professor of dermatology at the Royal Veterinary College, says:
"If you have a weak immune system and the dog has MRSA
there could be transfer, but this is rare. The bigger risk is that
the human MRSA carrier will transfer MRSA to a sick pet."
Is there anything owners can do to help themselves and their
pets? It would seem that cleanliness is the key. If your pet is
scheduled for a procedure, a clean, well-maintained environment
should offer the reassurance needed.
Pet owners can also take certain precautionary measures themselves.
Owners should always practice good levels of personal hygiene and
keep the living environment clean. Using an antimicrobial soap to
wash hands after handling a pet, especially before food preparation
or administering medical care to a person or animal, is essential.
Ensure your pet is as healthy as possible to reduce the likelihood
of their immune system becoming impaired. Also, do not allow your
vet to over-prescribe antibiotics. In cases where antibiotics are
required, always make sure that your pet finishes the course in
full. Humans may pose a threat to animals with regards the spread
of MRSA so take extra precautions if you or a family member has
recently had a hospital stay.
If your pet requires any type of invasive surgery, ask if a swab
can be taken from your pet beforehand to test for the presence of
the MRSA bug. This way, the vet can make sure that the right precautions
are in place to give the best care and prevent the contamination
of wounds.
Owners, as well as veterinary surgeons, need to be aware of the
signs to look for in a pet that may have developed the MRSA infection
following surgery. Signs of lethargy, lack of appetite, or a wound
that becomes swollen, inflamed or red all need to be investigated
immediately. Tell your vet that you suspect infection. Cultures
should be taken from the wound to determine if infection exists
and, if so, what type.
Jill Moss says, “I don’t know if better treatment
would have saved Bella once she got the infection, but I do know
that it could, and should, have been prevented in the first place.” |
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| Photo used by D for Dog with the permission
of © Jill Moss 2004 |
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