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Raw dog food ‘may be fuelling the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria'
Raw dog food was found to contain multidrug-resistant Enterocci.
Researchers analyse raw dog food brands for Enterococci.

Scientists are warning of an ‘international health risk’ after a study found raw dog food to be a major source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In a press release for the study, to be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, researchers note that the trend for feeding dogs raw food may be fuelling the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Every year, an estimated 700,000 people die from drug-resistant infections – a number that is forecast to increase to 10 million by 2050 if nothing is done. The problem of antimicrobial resistance has grown so much that the World Health Organisation has declared it as one of the greatest public health threats facing humanity.  

In a bid to see if pet food could be driving the rise in AMR, Dr Ana R. Freitas from the University of Porto, Portugal, and her team analysed dog food from supermarkets and pet shops for Enterococci. Enterococci is a type of bacteria that lives harmlessly in the intestines of animals and humans but can be harmful if they spread to other parts of the body. 

A total of 55 samples of dog food were included in the study, including 14 raw-frozen foods, from 25 brands. The team found that all of the raw dog food samples contained multidrug-resistant Enterococci, including bacteria resistant to a last-resort antibiotic, linezolid. 

Genetic sequencing revealed that some of the multi-drug resistant bacteria in the raw dog food were identical to bacteria isolated from hospital patients in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. 

"The close contact of humans with dogs and the commercialisation of the studied brands in different countries poses an international public health risk,” commented Dr Freitas. "European authorities must raise awareness about the potential health risks when feeding raw diets to pets and the manufacture of dog food, including ingredient selection and hygiene practices, must be reviewed.”

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.