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Vet: Pets Can Pass Along MRSA

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Oct 19, 2007 12:31 am US/Eastern

Vet: Pets Can Pass Along MRSA

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Concern about MRSA and other staph infections goes beyond schools and locker rooms.

Veterinarians say it's possible that your pet could pass along MRSA to you and your family.

"If they're sleeping in our beds, if they're with us kissing our faces as they kiss our children's faces, you know that it's a possibility that they could spread this methasone-resistant staph to us," Dr. Mike Hutchinson, from Animal General, said.

Just like with humans, the infection is spread by direct physical contact.  Pets like birds, horses, cats and dogs have the potential to pass it on.

"If you have an animal that has – or a person – I would say if you have a person in your household that has MRSA, that has been diagnosed with it, and it goes away, do you need tests all your animals for MRSA?  No, absolutely not.

"But if you have a person in your home – an elderly person or a child or anybody that is diagnosed with MRSA – and it keeps coming back or it's hard to get rid of, yes, then I would test my own pets for MRSA to see if they're carrying it," Dr. Hutchinson explained.  "Because if they're carrying it, they could keep cycling it in the house."

Circumstances that could prompt you to have your pet tested would be a recurring ear infection or a cold that your pet may have.

In the meantime, washing your hands frequently helps to prevent spreading the infection among people and pets.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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