Is it safe for my dog to visit a human with VRE in the hospital?

Question

My daughter is in the hospital with Vancomycin resistant enterococcus. It is contagious between humans. Can her dog be infected? She wants me to bring him to visit her.

Lauren Jones VMD · Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter has been hospitalized with vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Good for you for seeking professional advice regarding the possibility of spreading this type of infection. Unfortunately, there have been some case reports of dogs acquiring this type of bacterial infection. While transmission of VRE is not common for humans to dogs, I don't think that it would be wise to take the risk. In veterinary medicine, we avoid using some of the "more potent" antibiotics that this infection can be susceptible to, so that there is less potential for resistance should humans become infected and need treatment. In this case, should her dog become infected, we would have fewer antibiotic options at our disposal for management. I hope that your daughter is feeling better soon!

Is it safe for my dog to visit a human with VRE in the hospital?

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