Many pet owners lack proper knowledge of antibiotic use: Study

It found 3 in 4 unaware antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread between them and pets

- Angelica Ang

Three in four pet owners in Singapore do not know that antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread between them and their pets, a recent paper found.

The study, a collaboration between Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, and the Singapore Veterinary Association, involved 1,080 pet owners who were surveyed at 16 vet clinics across Singapore from March to December 2023.

WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolve to become resistant to standard antibiotics. Though this is a natural process, pathogens can grow resistant to antibiotics more quickly if the drugs are overly or improperly administered.

Experts estimate that AMR, often labelled a "silent pandemic", could cause more than 10 million deaths annually by 2050 - overtaking even cancer.

When asked why the risk of AMR is increasingly salient, Associate Professor Angela Chow, a senior consultant from Tan Tock Seng Hospital who helmed the research study, said: "The misuse of antibiotics pressures the bacteria to evolve, but the pipeline of antibiotic discovery — it's not that fast.

"It takes many years to discover antibiotics, so we haven't had new classes of them for some time."

As antibiotics are rendered ineffective by AMR, infections may become more difficult to treat. And according to the World Health Organisation, this increases the risk of severe disease, disability and death.

To tackle AMR, Singapore has adopted a One Health framework which considers the links between human, animal and environmental health.

The same AMR bacteria can be found in sick pets as in humans, Prof Chow said.

These antibiotic-resistant pathogens can be transmitted between the two upon contact, such as when owners are licked on the face by their pets or handle their faeces, said Dr Teo Boon Han, president of the Singapore Veterinary Association.