Toronto (ECN) - Dogs and cats may carry methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) according to researchers.
Evidence has shown that canine and felines can colonize MRSA and usually acquired from the owners of the pets. Staphylococcus intermedius with S aureous makes about ten percent of the strains in canine and felines.
It has been proven that the pets can carry it, and give the infection back. According to a research back in 1988, a cat that resided in geriatric unit in the United Kingdom had passed around MRSA to the residents and staff. Thirty-eight percent of the nursing staff was colonized with the infections from the feline.
The infection is usually transmitted by scratches and bites, but MRSA can just be passed back and forth between the owners and pets.
Researchers stated that those who own pets are not aware of the transmission of all the pathogens that are life threatening, that come from their pet companions. There are at least thirty pathogens that have the ability to be passed from pets to people, which include Capanocytophaga, Streptococcus, Pasteurella and Fusobacterium.
Some researchers reported that over 350,000 cases in America were treated in the Emergency Room from injuries related to dog bites.
The treatment for bites should include radiography, deep culture, rabies and prophylaxis, wound management and wound assessment.
Keeping house pets clean, keeping up to date on their immunizations and controlling parasites will help in keeping not only the pet healthy, but the owner as well.
