The owner of the facility where I board has MRSA, can she give it to my horse and I get it too?? Should I be concerned?”…
Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:
Kate:
MRSA is currently the nastiest bacteria that is transmitted to people and animals. It is easily transmitted. Anyone can get it. It has been cultured out of healthy and sick individuals, and may or may not cause a problem. You can contract it from horses, the soil, contaminated objects (counters, phone, etc), the same places that animals get it. I am not 100% certain if you can pass it on to your horse, but in theory, yes you can. You should not get super-alarmed unless you are already immunosuppressed. You don’t need to put yourself in a bubble and bleach everything before touching it. Just practice safe, sensible hygiene – washing hands, don’t eat in the barn (especially after mucking or picking feet), etc.
