Feeding dogs raw meat increases their likelihood of developing the strain, according to a study of 600 healthy pet dogs by researchers at the University of Bristol. coliIt is resistant to the commonly used antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
kbatThe bacteria, which can cause food poisoning, is also the most common cause of urinary tract and bloodstream infections, which can be life-threatening, in the UK. Ciprofloxacin belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, which are used to treat a range of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The World Health Organization classifies these antibiotics as critical antibiotics of the highest priority.
Research results and implications
In a published study One Health, They were looking for ciprofloxacin resistant coliIt is found in the intestines of 600 healthy domestic dogs. The research team asked dog owners to fill out a questionnaire that provided detailed information about the dog, its diet, the environment in which the dog was walked, and whether the dog had been treated with antibiotics.
The microbiological data, together with the survey data, enabled a statistical analysis showing that feeding raw meat to dogs was the only significant risk factor associated with shedding these resistant bacteria in the dog’s feces. This study supports other published studies showing a link between dogs fed raw meat and resistance to secretions. coli.
Reduction in UK GP use of ciprofloxacin led to decline in resistance coli ciprofloxacin from human infections. Additionally, the use of fluoroquinolones in the treatment of farm animals has been almost completely stopped in Great Britain. However, the use and resistance of fluoroquinolones is quite high worldwide.
Study details and recommendations
Dr. D., a research fellow from the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), who led the study. Jordan Seeley said: “Our goal was not to focus on raw dog food, but to investigate what might make a dog do this. resistant isolates Escherichia coli with feces. Our study revealed a very strong relationship between the emergence of ciprofloxacin resistance. Escherichia coli and feeding dogs raw food.”
Matthew Avison, professor of molecular bacteriology at CMM, who led the research, explained: “Raw meat – whether intended for human consumption after cooking or sold as raw dog food – is likely to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant E. coli. parcel . Cooking kills bacteria, and good hand hygiene reduces the risk of these bacteria being swallowed and entering the human intestine.
“Choosing to feed raw meat to a dog means a human will almost certainly have to deal with raw meat, and our research is clear that feeding raw also means pet owners may interact with pets that secrete secretions. coli“.
Dr Seeley added: ‘Individual measures to reduce the risk of dogs spreading resistant bacteria include switching to cheese-free foods or having good quality raw meats that can be cooked and then cooked. Most raw foods sold for dog consumption are not of cookable quality and can cause serious harm to dogs if cooked.
“Choosing to feed your dog from animals raised on farms in the UK or other countries where the use of critical antibiotics in agriculture is very low can also reduce the risk of eating resistant bacteria for lunch.”
Professor Avison concluded: “As part of our response to the emerging antibiotic resistance crisis, there should be an additional incentive for companies entering the raw dog food industry to source meat from farms with appropriate antibiotic policies and to test meat for the presence of resistant bacteria before sale.” Stricter limits should be placed on the number of bacteria allowed in meat sold raw than on meat sold ready-to-eat.”
E. coli transmission and health risks
Escherichia coli It is quite normal in the intestines of humans and animals and, as a rule, can be transmitted between them due to non-compliance with the rules of home hygiene, for example, after visiting the toilet or touching food contaminated with fecal materials, including raw. meat. When dogs shed resistant bacteria into the environment and home, there is a possibility that these bacteria can be passed on to their owners and other people.
If a person swallowed some Escherichia coliThese bacteria can remain in your intestines for years before causing infection. Hundreds of thousands of urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coliand thousands of bloodstream infections that often lead to life-threatening sepsis. When Escherichia coli Infections that are resistant to key antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin are harder to treat, meaning patients are more likely to be hospitalized and die. Source