A world-first UK study is set to monitor resistant bacteria levels in healthy dogs and cats, paving the way for the protection of animal and human health.
The study aims to provide key information essential for reducing the development and spread of infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Over half of UK adults own pets and live with them in a shared environment, meaning that bacteria, including resistant bacteria, can spread easily between animals and people.
All animals and humans have bacteria in their bodies, and in many cases, these bugs do not cause any harm. However, some bacteria can be resistant to antibiotics, which can lead to serious human or animal health consequences if they cause an infection.
This study aims to understand more about the levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in household pets across the UK, to better protect public health and the health of our pets.
Understanding resistant bacteria in dogs and cats
Pet owners across the UK will be contributing to the research programme, with the study aiming to identify the most reliable methods for understanding antibiotic-resistant bacteria in dogs and cats.
This will include outreach to households and veterinary practices to submit faecal samples from the animals they care for.
These samples will generate AMR surveillance data in healthy companion animals for the first time. Scotland’s Royal College (SRUC) will conduct the pilot study over four years and bring huge expertise in this field of work, having established surveillance programmes in other countries.
John Berezowski, Professor in Disease Surveillance at SRUC’s Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) in Inverness, explained: “This initiative is critical for a better understanding of the transmission and maintenance of AMR in our pets.
“Our experts have worked hard to develop a practical AMR surveillance system. We plan to follow a team approach, working with pet owners and their vets as we explore how best to collect samples for surveillance throughout the UK.”
Increasing surveillance levels for animal diseases
This work will build on existing surveillance programmes in animals, coordinated by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
Currently, in companion animals in the UK, surveillance for antibiotic-resistant bacteria only covers a limited number of clinically unwell animals, and no country currently has representative national surveillance of AMR in healthy dogs and cats.
Moreover, the work also follows a similar study recently carried out by UKHSA, looking at the levels of resistant bacteria in healthy people.
VMD are also working to address gaps in clinical surveillance data from companion animals under veterinary care by addressing barriers to public-private AMR data sharing. This work is being funded by the Integrated Security Fund Biosecurity Portfolio and is being conducted in partnership with the University of Liverpool and private veterinary laboratories.
“I am proud to launch this ground-breaking AMR surveillance project in healthy cats and dogs with SRUC, who have a proven track record of establishing surveillance programmes from the ground up, and this new study is a truly One Health intervention to tackle AMR,” stated Abi Seager, VMD CEO.
She concluded: “A recent report published by the Public Accounts Committee on AMR highlighted the need to address surveillance gaps in animals, and we are pleased the VMD is already driving progress in this area.”
