A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified pet store puppies as a source of an antibiotic-resistant diarrheal illness. Between 2016 and 2018, 118 people contracted Campylobacter jejuni after coming into contact with puppies from six unnamed pet store chains, according to the agency's findings published Friday.
The investigation points to a troubling practice: many of the puppies were given antibiotics even when they were healthy. In about half of the cases, the drugs were administered as a preventive measure rather than to treat an actual infection. This overuse of antibiotics, experts say, likely contributed to the bacteria's resistance to treatment.
How the bacteria spreads
Campylobacter jejuni is a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal distress in humans. While the exact mode of transmission from dogs to people remains unclear, researchers suspect it occurs through contact with a puppy's mouth or feces. The CDC's investigation did not name the specific pet store chains involved, but the report underscores the risks associated with handling puppies in retail environments.
The over-prescription of antibiotics in both humans and animals is a well-documented driver of antimicrobial resistance. When bacteria are repeatedly exposed to these drugs, they can mutate and become resistant, making infections harder to treat. In this case, healthy puppies treated with antibiotics may have harbored resistant strains of Campylobacter, which then spread to humans.
Experts call for responsible antibiotic use
Matthew Wellington, antibiotics program director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, told STAT that antibiotics should not be used as a substitute for good hygiene and animal care. “Antibiotics should only be used to treat illness, not to compensate for poor practices — whether it’s trucking dogs long distances and having poor hygiene in the process along the way,” he said. “These are lifesaving medicines that should only be used to treat sick animals or sick people.”
The CDC report serves as a reminder that the overuse of antibiotics in animals can have direct consequences for human health. While pet store managers may see preventive antibiotics as a way to keep puppies healthy, the practice is contributing to a broader public health crisis that could make common infections increasingly difficult to treat.
For consumers, the takeaway is to be cautious when handling puppies from pet stores, especially those that may have been treated with antibiotics. Washing hands thoroughly after contact and avoiding face-licking can reduce the risk of infection. The findings also highlight the need for pet stores to adopt better hygiene practices and to limit antibiotic use to cases where it is medically necessary.
As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, the CDC's investigation adds to the growing body of evidence that prudent antibiotic stewardship is essential, not just in human medicine but in veterinary settings as well. The report is a clear call to action for pet retailers and regulators to reconsider current practices.
