Prevalence of resistant fecal bacteria in dogs and co-carriage with owners after treatment with short-course antimicrobials

Antibiotic resistance in pets is a problem in veterinary medicine. Pets carry many bacteria that can infect both humans and animals, and there is a concern when a dog is given an antibiotic, it is more likely to have resistant bacteria living in its gut that may be shed in its stool. We would like to know if dog owners are also more likely to have resistant bacteria in their gut when the dog is started on antibiotics. This study will help us identify how common it is for dogs on short-course antibiotics to share resistant bacteria with the rest of the household. This information may be used to help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Dogs being treated with 5-14 days of a beta-lactam and/or fluoroquinolone antibiotic; we are also recruiting control dogs that have not been treated with antibiotics
2. Participating adult in home must have frequent contact with the pet
3. Participating adult must speak English and give consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria

1. Systemic antibiotic use by pet or owner (outside of course prescribed for treated dogs) in past 60 days or plan to take antibiotics in next week
2. Antibiotic use by another household pet or family member in past 60 days or plan to take antibiotics in next week
3. No one in the home can work in healthcare (due to increased risk of exposure to antimicrobial-resistant infections)
4. Active diarrheal illness in owner or control dogs (non-antibiotic treated dogs; dogs receiving antibiotics can have loose stool and be included)
5. Pregnant women
6. Prisoners
7. Wards of the state
8. Participating in a clinical trial
9. Cognitive impairment limiting ability to provide consent
10. non-English speaker
11. Participating human is < 18 years old

Client Benefits

There are no benefits to you from your taking part in this research. We cannot promise any benefits to others from your taking part in this research. However, possible benefits to others include a better understanding of the role of pets in antibiotic resistance. This will be beneficial to pets and their owners and may be beneficial to society as a whole. If you submit all samples required for the study, you will be given a $25 pre-paid Visa gift card in appreciation for your participation.

Sample or Data Requirements

You will be asked to collect a stool sample from yourself and your dog. These samples can be stored at home in your freezer for a short time, but you must return them to the small animal hospital.