Your Pet’s Bite May Lead to Serious Infection

People love their pets and many even consider them to be part of the family. Therefore, when a pet bites, most owners tend to admonish but readily forgive what is often viewed as a minor to moderate obedience infraction. However, what these loving and indulging pet owners may not know is that many pets can pass along as many as 30 different infectious diseases, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

According to Dr. Richard Oehler of the University of South Florida College of Medicine, the transmission of MRSA infections between pets and humans are on the rise. Most common are infections of the skin and soft-tissue. The new findings are based upon an analysis of clinical evidence conducted by the researchers, and the study results appear in the July issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

In their report, the researchers write, “Pet owners are often unaware of the potential for transmission of life-threatening pathogens from their canine and feline companions. Bite injuries are a major cause of injury in the USA and Europe each year, particularly in children. Bites to the hands, forearms, neck, and head have the potential for the highest morbidity.”

Due to their small height, children often receive bites to the face, neck, or head while adults are most often bitten on the hand, face, scalp, neck, thigh or leg. Although individuals under 20 years of age are the most likely to be injured, the majority of bite exposures occur in young children and involve unrestrained dogs, while about 20 percent of injuries involve non-neutered dogs. Young boys from 5 to 9 years old are considered to be at a higher risk due to both their small size and inability to understand provocative behavior. For cat bites, women and the elderly are most at risk.

The researchers point out that dog and cat bites account for approximately 1 percent of emergency care visits annually within the United States and in Europe. Of these cases, about 20 percent result in severe infections, including MRSA infections. In addition, a dangerous bloodstream infection known as sepsis can occur as a complication of bite wounds infected with MRSA, as well as several other types of bacteria. Individuals with leukemia and lupus, as well as those receiving chronic steroids are at an increased risk for the development of bite-wound sepsis. Yet another possibility for concern is the occurrence of rabies in areas where it may be endemic.

In the past, MRSA infections have been predominant only in health-care settings. However, recent studies have shown that community-acquired MRSA is now affecting otherwise healthy people by spreading through direct skin-to-skin contact and contact with surfaces contaminated by germs from an open wound.

The report on the latest analysis shows that along with the increasing prevalence of community-acquired MRSA in humans has come the MRSA colonization in domestic animals, including dogs, cats and horses. This makes these animals potential reservoirs of MRSA infection. Pets having MRSA-related skin infections, including simple dermatitis, can easily be spread to humans.

When a pet bite occurs, whether an injury is superficial or deep, immediate treatment of the bite is imperative. To avoid the risk of serious infection wash the wound, with high pressure saline if possible, and then seek medical attention, as antibiotics may be necessary in some cases.

The findings of the analysis are not meant to cause panic among pet owners. Fido and Morris do not have to be extricated from their homes and exiled to a foreign land. The true message here is to use common sense when dealing with your bite-loving pet, educate yourself, and take precautions. Even the researchers concluded, “Health-care providers are at the forefront of protecting the vital relationships between people and their pets. Clinicians must continue to promote loving pet ownership, take an adequate pet history, and be aware that associated diseases are preventable via recognition, education, and simple precautions.”