Posted on May 14, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

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In June to August 2007, a study was conducted by 26 pet therapy dog-handler teams which recently had its results on dog health problems published by Elsevier, S. Lefebvre and J.S. Weese from the University of Guelph in Canada. This study has found that MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile may be transferred to the fur and paws of canine visitors through patients either kissing or handling the dog. Another possibility may be exposure to a contaminated healthcare environment which doesn’t carry dog health problems as much as carrying the disease from one person to another. MRSA is very dangerous as it is a staph infection which is extremely resistant to most antibiotics:

MRSA are staphylococci that are resistant to the antibiotic, methicillin, and other commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins. These germs have a unique gene that causes them to be unaffected by all but the highest concentrations of these antibiotics. Therefore, alternate antibiotics must be used to treat persons infected with MRSA. (CDC. “MRSA“)

The possibility of multi-drug resistant germs spreading in the community has just had its fears increased with this new study on dogs spreading the germs from one patient to another. MRSA is bad enough, but C. difficile (or Clostridium difficile) is a bacterium related to the same bacterium which caused tetanus and botulism that consists of two forms–(1) an active infectious form which has been found to be impossible to survive for very prolonged periods in the environment, and (2) a form which is non-active and non-infectious (called a spore) which can survive in the environment for prolonged periods.

The spores are ingested and transformed into an active infectious form in environments of hospitals; nursing homes, extended care facilities; or nurseries for newborn infants.  Carried by pets or found in diaper pails, bedpans,  toilet seats or linens, they end up as a serious source of infection through C. difficile colitis or can be transported through a carrier such as a therapy dog who has been handled by someone with both conditions.

The very best prevention is to wash hands, wash hands, and wash hands…along with being aware who has MRCA or C. difficile. If the therapy dog is visiting the hospital or nursing home, by rights the staff should be aware who has it or not, and they should be have some sort of restrictions around them regarding handling or with fluids (nasal drainage, kleenex, drinking glasses, etc. ). The dog should not be handled by this individual and the person on charge of the pet should make sure they are informed by the staff who has MRCA or C. difficile to maintain safety regulations.

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“Man is a dog’s idea of what God should be.”   Holbrook Jackson (Robert McCarty at Barking Planet )

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RESEARCH SOURCES:
Transmission of MRSA and Clostridium Difficile Through Dogs

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Fecal transplants to cure Clostridium difficile infections

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