Helicobacter ADVICE FOR OWNERS

This information sheet is to supplement What clinical signs can How is helicobacter treated? Questions for my veterinarian: the information that has been discussed helicobacter cause? Sometimes specific helicobacter treatment is not by the attending clinician or qualified Helicobacter have been associated with needed, and the type of treatment and member of staff. the following clinical signs in pets. Many other requirement for treatment will be discussed by diseases (often more common than helicobacter) your vet. can also cause these signs: What are helicobacter ? In general terns treatment usually involves Helicobacter species are Gram-negative curved • Vomiting administering appropriate antimicrobials/ to spiral shaped . • Dehydration and acid-blocking drugs. Treatment • Poor appetite often consists of a two week course of drug In Humans, gastric () due to • Tummy gurgling (borborygmi) therapy and your pet will likely need follow up to is a major health problem. It • Abdominal pain verify whether the treatment was successful. It is has been associated with (inflammation • Weight loss possible for the infection or presence of bacteria of the stomach), gastric tumours, and peptic • Diarrhoea to return, but it is not known if this is due to ulcers in affected people. However, the recrudescence (a renewal of the infection after significance of the helicobacter bacterium in dogs Route of transmission is largely unknown, although a dormancy) or to reinfection from an outside and any correlation to gastric dysfunction is still faecal-oral spread is possible. source. largely unclear (h. pylori specifically is not found in dogs). How is helicobacter diagnosed? Is there potential for spread Cats have been found to have a variety of Making a diagnosis confirming that helicobacter is between humans and pets? helicobacter organisms in their stomachs (and the cause of your pets disease can be very tricky, It is possible that people and pets may share the mixed infections can also be present which especially as the presence of gastric helicobacter same helicobacter organisms but reports are very can sometimes complicate the diagnosis). does not necessarily indicate an infection that limited, therefore the risk of acquiring disease needs to be treated. Some pets may be from your pet is thought to be very low. The most common forms of helicobacter in dogs asymptomatic carriers. are and helicobacter heilmannii. We recommend that you implement a strict hand Other species of helicobacter found in dogs are Either your vet or your clinician at the Small hygiene policy in your household, washing your helicobacter rappini and helicobater salomonis. Animal Hospital will perform a complete physical hands carefully with soap and water after handling These bacteria inhabit the stomach lining and it’s examination with routine laboratory tests often your pet. You should also visit your own health glandular cavities. including a complete blood count, biochemistry care professional (GP) for advice, as it may be profile and urinalysis. Specific diet trials or possible for human members of the household antimicrobial trials may also be required. This is to be tested for helicobacter species. You should to rule out all other causes of your pet’s clinical contact your own health care professional (GP) signs. A tissue sample may be acquired either immediately if you are suffering from similar using endoscopy (an internal flexible camera) or clinical signs to those listed above and mention surgery, to allow that your vet to look for specific that your pet has been found to be helicobacter pathology (disease) including positive. helicobacter species.

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