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Dogs, Cats Linked to Dangerous Superbug

LiveScience
LiveScience
posted: 9 HOURS 41 MINUTES AGO
comments: 295
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LiveScience.com
(June 22) -- 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.
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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.
"As community-acquired strains of MRSA increase in prevalence, a growing body of clinical evidence has documented MRSA colonization in domestic animals, often implying direct acquisition of S aureus infection from their human owners," they write. "MRSA colonization has been documented in companion animals such as horses, dogs, and cats, and these animals have been viewed as potential reservoirs of infection."
Dog and cat bites make up about 1 percent of emergency room visits in the United States.
Some facts presented in the journal:
* Women and the elderly are most at risk of being bitten by a cat.
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* Men in general and those aged under 20 of both sexes are most likely to be injured.
* Most bite exposures occur in young children, involve unrestrained dogs on the owner's property, and about 20 percent involve a non-neutered dog.
* Risk is highest in young boys aged 5 to 9 years, due to their small size and lack of understanding of provocative behavior.
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.
"Bites to the hands, forearms, neck, and head have the potential for the highest morbidity," the scientists warn. They conclude: "Much more remains to be learned about MRSA and pet-associated human infections."
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© Imaginova Corp. All rights reserved.
2009-06-22 13:31:16
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AngelFire1st

11:43 PMJun 23 2009

PLEASE EVERYONE WASH YOUR HANDS FAITHFULY.. IF YOU CAN'T WASH YOUR HANDS, THEN KEEP THE HAND CLEANSER.....I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE DRESSED TO THE 9'S AND I WATCH THEM GET INTO A CAR, THAT COST ALOT OF MONEY,BUT THEY DIDN'T WASH THERE HANDS....HOW AWFUL, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THESE PEOPLE HAD A LITTLE SENSE, BUT NO, THEY DON'T..NO ONE WANTS TO GO AFTER SOMEONE THAT HASN'T WASHED THEIR HANDS AND HAD JUST USEDS THE WASHROOM AND THEN EAT...YOU WOULD THINK THEY WE ARE LIVING IN SOME WORLD COUNTRY, THAT IS DIRTY, THIS CAN BE STOPPED IF PEOPLE USED GOOD HABITS, LIKE WASHING HANDS AND MANY OTHER THINGS....

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TSETYAT

11:42 PMJun 23 2009

I caught MRSA from my dog as did a friend of mine. You DO NOT have to be bitten to get this bug. It can be transmitted via touch.

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AngelFire1st

11:37 PMJun 23 2009

WELL, THANK GOD I HAVEN'T HAD THIS AND I AM ALWAYS HAVING TO GO TO THE WITH MY BAD HEALTH... I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING, I KNOW FOR A FACT DOCTORS' DON'T KNOW EVERYTHIING LIKE THEY THINK THEY DO... I HAD SALMONELLA, WHEN THERE WAS THE OUTBREAK AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. ... IT WASN'T CAUSED BY PEANUT BUTTER...!!!!! I HAD TO GO TO A SPECIALIST AND HE DID SOME TEST. HE WANTED TO KNOW IF I HAD HAD BEAN SPROUTS, I SAID NO, SO HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS THAT CAUSED IT....THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD IS COMING, AND LIKE I TELL PEOPLE YOU NEED TO KNOW GOD AND IF YOU DON'T , YOU NEED TO, BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE WHO MADE US ALL AND HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYONE...!!!!!

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JoeysAngel0225

11:32 PMJun 23 2009

I know from experience of having MRSA the best way to protect from getting is water downed bleach and spray and wipe every where your pet has been also the same with an infected person. I know ive had it 14 times its been over a year since my last out beak cause my family bleached everything.

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EmilyEdyth

11:32 PMJun 23 2009

Okay can some one take the 'art work' of two old men kissing each other off it nasty and I don't see how people think girls kissing girls and guys kissing guys is 'hott' it's rather nasty. *Gags*

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Kokimo32164

11:30 PMJun 23 2009

What is worse than that picture above? Spending eternity in Hell. Find out what Hell is REALLY like at spiritlessons.com from people who were actually there! One guy was begging his Dr not to let him die again. He was terrified of going back to Hell!!! Yes, read this BEFORE going to bed......sweet dreams!!!!!

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Robinadair1951

10:54 PMJun 23 2009

as one in veterianry profession- the hand washing on the part of humans is of paramount importance. chiming in i will tell u that dogs and cats teeth can be cleaned not just with a milk bone or rawhide or greenies but with a professional cleaning like humans get at their dentists office. tooth paste/gel and all sorts of cleaning brushes are available at your vet's office. A dog or car with a clean mouth is less likely to have high bacteria count, less or no dental disease, just like people. please anyone who has not come into the 21st century with vet medicine. i personally have two dogs a 9yo rottweiler- never bitten anyone- who has her teeth cleaned on a regualr basis& a 5 yp bluetick/lab same story both with sparkling white teeth and breath.

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Babyboomer39

10:46 PMJun 23 2009

well....as one in the medical profession, I am MORE concerned about the techniquesand NOT washing hands etc, etc, etc, in medical facilities than I am ithe animals ! Could it be that WE are transfering it to our four legged friends ?

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Blond in the BMW

10:35 PMJun 23 2009

Hey thanks for the MRSA in pets now. So much for homeless shelter pets getting a home... nice going LiveScience and AOL, nice going!

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Jerseygirlbout

10:32 PMJun 23 2009

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

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