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Animaux de compagnie, la lutte contre l’antibiorésistance passe aussi par les propriétaires, exposition aux antibiotiques, échanges bactéries homme animal, contamination animaux domestiques, infections bactériennes<BR>Pet owners<BR>also need to take responsibility for the fight against antimicrobial resistance<BR><BR><BR>For the purposes of this document, pets are defined as all animals that live in contact with humans in a household (e.g. dogs, cats, pet birds, fish, small rodents or others) or that are used by humans for leisure activities (hunting dogs, horses).<BR><BR>Are pets highly exposed to antibiotics ?<BR><BR>Surveillance data on the consumption of antibiotics as veterinary drugs show that dogs are more exposed to antibiotics than animals which are used to produce food. This is absolutely normal given their longer lifespan and the care they receive from their owners. With around 8 million dogs, France has Europe's 5th largest dog population with 25% of its households having at least one dog. This population is stable whereas the cat population is on the rise with 26% of households owning at least one cat. <BR><BR>Why are antibiotics used for pets ?<BR><BR>Antibiotic treatments are prescribed by veterinarians to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. Some of these infections may require short-term (i.e. a few days) or long-term antibiotic therapy (e.g. for cutaneous infections). Antibiotic therapy may be recurrent (e.g. for treating otitis) in some subjects. In all cases, antibiotic treatment should be used only when prescribed by veterinarians and self-medication should be proscribed. <BR>During antibiotic treatment, selection pressure is exerted on the animal's bacterial flora. By eliminating sensitive pathogenic germs, it clinically cures the infection but promotes the selection and development of resistant strains, whether they be pathogenic or commensal. It is therefore vital that owners follow the instructions and doses prescribed by their veterinarians, particularly in terms of frequency and duration. Doing so may limit these selection phenomena. Failure to follow some of these rules (e.g. omission of a dose) increases the risk of developing resistant strains.<BR><BR>Are there specific risks related to antimicrobial resistance in pets ?<BR><BR>Pets are different from other animals in that they are regularly in contact with their owners and their environment. Consequently, bacteria are frequently exchanged through contact in families, including their pets. As a result, pets can transmit pathogenic zoonotic bacteria. For example, pups or kittens may be carriers of Campylobacter jejuni which can cause intestinal infections in the family. Salmonella infections are sometimes reported following contact with rodents or turtles. These zoonotic bacteria may have become resistant to antibiotics because of treatments that the pets have received, sometimes prior to their arrival in the household. <BR>Several studies show that pets may be contaminated with bacteria when their owners or animal health professionals (veterinarians, personnel at horse-riding centres or in veterinary clinics, etc.) act as carriers or have been infected. These animals may become carriers and contribute to the transmission of these bacteria. Likewise, environments such as homes, veterinary clinics, breeding structures (kennels, horse breeding farms) may favour transmission of bacteria from humans to animals and vice-versa. In all cases, compliance with personal hygiene recommendations, and particularly hand washing, as well as collective hygiene rules (cleaning, disinfection of equipment in contact with animals and surfaces) helps reduce this risk of transmission. <BR>In the event that owners or their pets are carriers of or are infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria, doctors and veterinarians need to work together in order to implement appropriate measures to reduce the risk of human-to-animal transmission.<BR><BR>Novembre 2009<BR><BR>Animal health and animal food<BR>Home,Anses,News,Press room,Agenda,Our topics,Food,Animal health and nutrition,Environmental health,Occupational health,Plants,Opinions and publications,Last opinions and reports,Food opinions and reports,Animal health and nutrition opinions and reports,Environmental and occupational health opinions and reports,Plants opinions,Opinions and reports in English,Bulletins and periodicals,Other publications,Subscribe to Anses newsletter,Research and reference,Research program,Laboratories and reference activities, + ,Job opportunities,Public procurement contracts,Our websites,Partners,Extranet / ExpertNet,Kid's area,Legal notice,Contact, ,<A HREF='PNV9I0.htm'>Animaux de compagnie</A>
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Pet owners also need to take responsibility for the fight against antimicrobial resistance
For the purposes of this document, pets are defined as all animals that live in contact with humans in a household (e.g. dogs, cats, pet birds, fish, small rodents or others) or that are used by humans for leisure activities (hunting dogs, horses).
Are pets highly exposed to antibiotics ? Surveillance data on the consumption of antibiotics as veterinary drugs show that dogs are more exposed to antibiotics than animals which are used to produce food. This is absolutely normal given their longer lifespan and the care they receive from their owners. With around 8 million dogs, France has Europe's 5th largest dog population with 25% of its households having at least one dog. This population is stable whereas the cat population is on the rise with 26% of households owning at least one cat.
Why are antibiotics used for pets ? Antibiotic treatments are prescribed by veterinarians to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. Some of these infections may require short-term (i.e. a few days) or long-term antibiotic therapy (e.g. for cutaneous infections). Antibiotic therapy may be recurrent (e.g. for treating otitis) in some subjects. In all cases, antibiotic treatment should be used only when prescribed by veterinarians and self-medication should be proscribed. During antibiotic treatment, selection pressure is exerted on the animal's bacterial flora. By eliminating sensitive pathogenic germs, it clinically cures the infection but promotes the selection and development of resistant strains, whether they be pathogenic or commensal. It is therefore vital that owners follow the instructions and doses prescribed by their veterinarians, particularly in terms of frequency and duration. Doing so may limit these selection phenomena. Failure to follow some of these rules (e.g. omission of a dose) increases the risk of developing resistant strains. Are there specific risks related to antimicrobial resistance in pets ? Pets are different from other animals in that they are regularly in contact with their owners and their environment. Consequently, bacteria are frequently exchanged through contact in families, including their pets. As a result, pets can transmit pathogenic zoonotic bacteria. For example, pups or kittens may be carriers of Campylobacter jejuni which can cause intestinal infections in the family. Salmonella infections are sometimes reported following contact with rodents or turtles. These zoonotic bacteria may have become resistant to antibiotics because of treatments that the pets have received, sometimes prior to their arrival in the household. Several studies show that pets may be contaminated with bacteria when their owners or animal health professionals (veterinarians, personnel at horse-riding centres or in veterinary clinics, etc.) act as carriers or have been infected. These animals may become carriers and contribute to the transmission of these bacteria. Likewise, environments such as homes, veterinary clinics, breeding structures (kennels, horse breeding farms) may favour transmission of bacteria from humans to animals and vice-versa. In all cases, compliance with personal hygiene recommendations, and particularly hand washing, as well as collective hygiene rules (cleaning, disinfection of equipment in contact with animals and surfaces) helps reduce this risk of transmission. In the event that owners or their pets are carriers of or are infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria, doctors and veterinarians need to work together in order to implement appropriate measures to reduce the risk of human-to-animal transmission.
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