Pets passing on superbug

livescience via Yahoo!:



Pets Pass Superbug to Humans


Transmission of an infectious superbug from dogs and cats to humans, and back again, is an increasing problem, a new study finds.

The superbug, a strain of bacteria known as MRSA, has evolved a resistance to antibiotics. It has long plagued hospitals but in recent years has become more common in homes. MRSA has even invaded beaches.

Only about two years ago, scientists began to seriously suspect pets were transmitting the bacteria.

In the July edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Richard Oehler of the University of South Florida College of Medicine and colleagues lay out the latest thinking on MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and pets.

The infections can be transmitted by animal bites and most threaten young children, the researchers note. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090622/sc_livescience/petspasssuperbugtohumans

I don't imagine this'll be any worse than the other brazillion times it's happened.

"Severe infections can occur in about 20 percent of all cases, the researchers state, and are caused by Pasteurella, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, and Capnocytophaga bacteria from the animal's mouth, plus possibly other pathogens from the human's skin.

"Proper treatment of dog and cat bites should involve treatment of the immediate injury (whether superficial or deep) and then management of the risk of acute infection, including washing with high pressure saline if possible, and antibiotics in selected cases," the researchers suggest. "

With respect to cats (not as big a source of bites as dogs):

I love cats - but if a cat bites and a puncture wound or a bleeding wound results, you should take it very seriously. Cats have a lot of bacteria in their mouths which seem more likely to cause infections in humans. Scratches from claws are less serious.

If it bleeds, let it bleed at bit.
Puncture wound: call physician and ask what to do (I was told to soak in betadine & hot water 3x/day).
Physician may want you to get in and on antibiotics immediately (the generic $4-at-Target-ones in my case).

If you decide not to call physician, watch the wound carefully. If you get a redness that begins traveling in the direction along body part that was bit toward heart, GET TO A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL immediately. It's not that it's MRSA - it could be just a standard bacterial infection, but they can be nasty.

Scratches - just wash good. Shouldn't be a problem.

I've heard it said that in order of bacterial nastiness, dog bites are relatively least serious; human bites are in the middle; and cat bites are relatively more serious. (But for those of you who think it's a good idea for a dog to lick a human wound - come on. There are still bacteria in their mouths and not necessarily beneficial.)

infected. They catch it FROM infected humans and can harbor it briefly, but the PERSISTENT HOST is humans.

I love how pets are always made out to be the problem, even when it's actually humans and their lack of personal hygiene. When in doubt, BLAME THE CAT!!!!