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Tehachapi 2006
Small Business
of the Year
Founding
Director
Save Tehachapi's Orphaned Pets (STOP) January 2008
Main Street Tehachapi
Proud Member
Since March 2008
Tehachapi Chamber
of Commerce
Board of Directors
Since January 2007
Founder/Moderator
Pet Industry Retailers (PIR) Peer Networking Group, Since May 2005
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Ask Dr. Dave - Antibiotics
A recent article released by the
Associated Press focused on the fact that, like human physicians,
veterinarians are documenting an increased occurrence of drug resistant
staph infections in animals. The article went on to say that
simple hygiene measures can prevent infection. A New York veterinarian
was quoted as saying that he believed this to be a rapidly expanding and
under-diagnosed problem. Pets that have been diagnosed are given
antibiotics. In some cases, the pet is hospitalized and placed on
intravenous antibiotics. Treatment can take several weeks.
Disease that can be transferred between animals and humans is referred
to as zoonotic disease. This disease is known as a reverse zoonotic
disease as the organism is being transmitted from the pet owner to the
pet. It has been cultured in pigs and horses as well as dogs and cats.
Like people, animals can be carriers without it affecting their health.
Once colonized, an animal or a person can transmit the disease,
oftentimes unknowingly. This is causing concern with regard to therapy
animals who visit hospitals and nursing homes and may become colonized.
Colonized animals are treated aggressively with antibiotics. There have
been cases here. If you are diagnosed, please have your pets checked for
colonization.
Dr. Dave Gantenbein
Antelope Valley Animal Hospital
(661) 273-1234
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