Treating pets for possible strep...

[monarchcat]

During my phone consultation with Dr. Latimer last week she suggested that I have all of our pets (3 cats and a dog) treated for strep. She said she used to recommend they be cultured, but that it seemed to be expensive and tricky and it's just easier to treat them all and be done with it. She mentioned that there may be a long-acting antibiotic shot that could be given to pets.

 

How have you handled treating/testing your pets for strep? I am going to call my vet tomorrow and would like an idea of what I should be asking for. I have a feeling they are going to think I'm nuts!

[KeithandElizabeth]

Okay.... our veterinarian does think I am nuts.... after calling 5 times to discuss the possibility of our pet giving us strep, I had them test our dog. They did not believe that a pet could give a human strep. The test came back negative and then I still had them write a prescription for Amoxicillan to treat her anyway. Why not?? We get so desperate!!

 

Elizabeth

[P_Mom]

Me, too.....my vet thought I was nuts (well, it sure sounded like it by her tone on the phone) when I asked about our dog giving us strep. She said that if a dog carries strep...it is a different strain than what we get...and, they can't pass it to humans. Not sure what info. Latimer is riding on....don't want to say she is wrong...she may know something we don't.

[nevergiveup]

My vet knew that in rare occasions a child could give a dog the human version of strep. Although she says it is rare some dogs have tested positive for this strain. We opted not to test but treat. She researched the subject and decided on 2O days of the dog equivalent of Augmentin??? The drug was called Clavanox if my memory serves me correctly. I did not know about the cats though. Anyone know if cats carry the human strain.

 

 

 

Okay.... our veterinarian does think I am nuts.... after calling 5 times to discuss the possibility of our pet giving us strep, I had them test our dog. They did not believe that a pet could give a human strep. The test came back negative and then I still had them write a prescription for Amoxicillan to treat her anyway. Why not?? We get so desperate!!

 

Elizabeth

[EAMom]

Is dr. latimer also telling everyone to culture human familiy members? I hope so!

 

re infection from pets:

I think a much likely situation is:

1) PANDAS kids have intracellular strep that isn't completely killed off by a routine dose/length of antibiotics (esp. with Pen/amoxcillin)...hence the need for long term abs (with stronger abs like Azith., Augmentin) at higher doses. see this thread by worried dad and buster http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...art=#entry40577

2) colonization from human strep carrier family members (or other human contacts)