Small Animal Zoonoses

Question 1

Zoonoses

Question 2

Carrier

Question 3

Reservoir

Question 4

Colonised host

Answer 4

• need to do more to remove pathogen that has specifically adapted to a certain host
• (echo whole definition slide)

Question 5

Concepts of zoonotic transmission

Answer 5

• likely about 1/2 the time dogs sleep in beds and therefore owners have close contact with their owners
• zoonoses is the transfer between human and animals in both directions
• Even if the animal is feeling fine, there still need to be notification as there is a public health risk
• If a cat has active ringworm, it is shown that only 40% will be affected themselves - predisposed allergies

Question 6

Imp. Zoonoses in SA practice

Answer 6

• Cheyletiellliosis most commonly comes from rabbits and actually leads to a papillary rash

Question 7

ESKAPE pathogens

Answer 7

• There is a lot of contact with human hospitals that can be transferred
• These are all the most resistant pathogens worldwide in human hospitals

Question 8

Zoonotic Potential & its Implications

Answer 8

• MRSA is a human pathogen that has come over into the veterinary world
• Owners may ask who gave the MRSA to the dog? - List the possibilites?

Question 9

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococci

Answer 9

• Meticillin is a very old AB that is no longer used in human medicine
• Need to remember it as a marker for multi-drug resistance
• If it is Meticillin resistant, it is multi-drug resistant
  *

Question 10

MRSA (aureus)

Answer 10

• Livestock is not a really virulent organism, usually just colonizes them as it likes their skin, but doesn’t really cause disease to livestock, BUT is still a zoonotic risk!
• hospital associated one is the one we need to worry about in a small animal context
• MRSA is primarily a human problem and what we see in SA pets is usually a spillover from human medicine
• If they have it, you can still treat the pet, but need to raise awareness that this MRSA strand has escaped from a human source - make sure owners see a GP and find the source

Question 11

MRSP

(pseudintermedius)

Answer 11

• like the little brother to MRSA in human hospitals
• remember: surveillance costs money so this may not be a good representation of true prevelance

Question 12

Example MRSA

Answer 12

• may still get swabbed for MRSA as a precaution
• may need to get IV antibiotics and therefore stay in the hospital longer and pay more?
• Hard to get actual mortality rates

Question 13

MRSA- Why is it a problem?

Answer 13

*

Question 14

Implications for MRSA in SA practice

Answer 14

• can only use AB’s where there is efficacy to use them
• It shows that the strain has come from the hospitals and have escaped
• need to clarify that it isn’t a dirty superbug, may need to have a important converstation with them on what having MRSA means

Question 15

Small “furries” zoonoses

Answer 15

• birds flap and often dispurse their pathogens widely

Question 16

Exotic Pet- linked Disease

Answer 16

• It is a big figure so it is something to be aware of
• pathogens have adapted and evolved with us (they are becoming less host specific and can now live in different hosts)

Question 17

Early Suspicion and Correct Diagnosis

Answer 17

• Don’t scare your patients or underinform them
• need to learn accurate tests to diagnose

Question 18

Client Communication

Answer 18

• we cannot comment on human medicine- not our place
• but we need to talk to owners about possible risks and help them be aware
• You do have a duty though that you share lab results and relevant clinical findings

Question 19

“The Human Aspect”

Answer 19

• need ot allow for extra hygiene and preventative measures
• Some GP’s won’t make it their issue and some will be thankful you let them know, you just need to give the right advice and tell them to see the GP!

Question 20

Prevention of Spread

Answer 20

• dirt is usually organic material and that is what pathogens need to survive
• Think of gene transfer! - if someone has it and comes into reception, can pass on to the next client

Question 21

Patient Management