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RPSGB conference to tackle canine issues

02 Apr 2009

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is set to hold its Development of Veterinary Medicines conference in London on April 27th.

One of the topics on the agenda will be the transfer of illnesses between pets and their owners.

The phenomenon of humans contracting diseases from infection from animals is known as zoonoses.

Royal Veterinary College lecturer in veterinary dermatology Anette Loeffler explained reverse zoonoses is becoming a problem, especially with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

She described how the bug is being picked up by hospital patients before being passed on to their animals.

"The pets can become infected, or they can become healthy carriers of the bacteria, and pass them back to their owners," Ms Loeffler said.

According to the RPSGB''s latest statement, bugs such as MRSA are becoming more resistant to traditional forms of pharmaceuticals and are becoming a problem in animals as well as humans.

The society is also set to hold its Supporting Pharmacy Managers in the Future conference in London on May 5th.