Veterinary practices and animal shelters throughout the United Kingdom are being invited to assist scientists in assessing the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthy pet cats and dogs. The project, led by SRUC for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), aims to recruit approximately 100 practices and 100 shelters.
Participating sites will be asked about their willingness to collect and submit a sample of freely passed faeces from either a cat or dog. Current surveillance for AMR in dogs and cats is limited globally and primarily focuses on samples from diseased animals. However, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be present in healthy animals without causing illness, potentially making them reservoirs of resistance that could spread to other animals or humans. This initiative marks the first time a national surveillance system for AMR in the healthy dog and cat population has been developed by a country.
Measuring AMR in pets is a crucial step towards understanding the associated risks and developing effective strategies to mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria. This will also inform future policies designed to safeguard both animal and human health. The pilot programme will build upon existing AMR surveillance initiatives in healthy livestock.
“"It is exciting to see the Healthy Cats and Dogs AMR project enter its second year. Having first asked pet owners to collect samples, SRUC is now working with veterinary practices and animal shelters to assess the best approach to building a representative national surveillance system. This study will strengthen our understanding of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in cats and dogs across the UK."
“"Piloting the collection of samples through vet practices and rescue shelters is an important stage in this world-first study. By engaging with willing participants and receiving as many samples as possible, we will be gaining vital insight into the use of these approaches in assessing AMR levels in healthy cats and dogs."
