A national study into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is seeking veterinary practices and animal shelters to support its research.
The Healthy Cats and Dogs AMR project is calling for approximately 100 practices and 100 shelters to participate. They will be asked to collect and submit samples of freely-passed faeces from either a healthy cat or a healthy dog.
The research is being conducted by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
It is motivated by the currently limited surveillance of AMR in dogs and cats worldwide. Researchers say this existing surveillance is also focused on samples from diseased animals.
They add that antibiotic resistant bacteria can be found in animals which do not have a disease. This means that animals can act as ‘reservoirs of resistance’, which may spread to other animals and people.
This project would mark the first time a country has developed a national surveillance system for AMR from a population of healthy dogs and cats.
The pilot programme is being built on existing surveillance programmes in healthy livestock. It will support the understanding of the risks of AMR, shape effective ways to reduce the spread of resistant bacteria and help build future policies.
Dr Tamsin Dewé, the VMD’s head of antimicrobial resistance surveillance and evidence, said: “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”.
Madeleine Henry, SRUC project veterinary epidemiologist, added: “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.”
Image © SanechkaSparrow/Shutterstock.com
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
