New health alert over MRSA in dogs

A huge alert over hospital superbug MRSA in dogs was issued today.

Leading vets revealed a sharp rise in the number of domestic and farm animals suffering from infections.

They say the increase could lead to a fresh outbreak in humans as the bug may be able to pass from pet to owner.

Bob Partridge, president of the British Veterinary Hospitals Association, said: "This is of great concern. MRSA is a bug that affects people, and there have been cases of MRSA in the veterinary population.

"The problem will be that there will be an increasing number of cases as the bug becomes more common."-The association is urging vets to adopt best practice and take precautions - use sterile gloves, masks and scrub suits during operations - to prevent animals getting the bug. However, this may increase vets' bills.

Lynne Hill, chairman of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, said: "We certainly recognise infection control as an area of veterinary practice standards that needs to be upheld, and that MRSA is of increasing importance." Over the past two to three years, between 10 and 20 cases had been reported in the UK each year, and dogs have been badly affected.

The UK's first recorded MRSA dog death came last year. The dog's owner, Jill Moss, of Edgware, is campaigning to stop other pets contracting it. Ms Moss is working with Professor David Lloyd of the Royal Veterinary College to improve understanding of the disease.

The BVHA warned: "Unless important changes take place in the way veterinary practices perform surgery and take better care of post-operative infections, the levels of MRSA in animals will rise."