Vets and scientists at the University of Bristol have been awarded a grant from PetSavers, part of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, to help vets more effectively use antibiotics to treat cats with urinary tract infections.

In cats, the best methods for identifying which individuals should be treated, and which not, are currently poorly defined. This University of Bristol project will help develop better diagnostic tests to help ensure that antibiotics are only used for the treatment of cats when necessary.

Christina Maunder, the project lead, said the aim is to limit the development of AMR in bacteria carried by cats, which can cause untreatable infections in cats, but may also be passed to their owners.

Ms Maunder said: “Much antimicrobial resistance research is focused on farm animals and, increasingly, the pet dog population. Given the close relationship between owners and their cats and shared home environment our project is in an important and previously overlooked area of research.”