Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An epidemiological survey of Clostridium perfringens-associated enterotoxemia at an army veterinary treatment facility.
- Journal:
- Military medicine
- Year:
- 2002
- Authors:
- Cassutto, Benjamin H & Cook, Lydia Crystal
- Affiliation:
- Okinawa Branch Veterinary Service · Japan
Plain-English summary
This study looked at cases of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats at a veterinary facility in Okinawa to see if they were linked to a bacteria called Clostridium perfringens. Researchers collected stool samples from 44 sick animals and 38 healthy ones over three months. They found that 27% of the sick animals had this bacteria in their feces, compared to only 11% of the healthy ones. Additionally, many owners reported that their pets had eaten something unusual shortly before getting sick. The study suggests that C. perfringens is a significant cause of vomiting and diarrhea in these pets and that eating inappropriate foods may trigger these issues.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of Clostridium perfringens-associated vomiting and diarrhea in canine and feline patients at the Okinawa Branch Veterinary Service and to establish a relationship between dietary indiscretion and the presence of clostridial enterotoxemia. Stool samples were obtained from 38 control animals and 44 animals with vomiting and diarrhea during a 3-month period. For each sample, fecal cytology were examined for the presence of C. perfringens, white blood cells, and red blood cells. A survey was also completed by the animal's owner, which provided the researcher with information on the owner's pet feeding practices. After the data were analyzed, 27% of animals with vomiting and diarrhea were found to have C. perfringens upon examination of their fecal samples (p < 0.05), compared with 11% for control animals. Results of our survey revealed that when owners were questioned regarding their feeding practices, 45% of the animals with C. perfringens-positive fecal samples and with clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhea had an episode of dietary indiscretion soon before the illness (p < 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that C. perfringens is an important cause of vomiting and diarrhea in our patient population and that a causal relationship may exist between dietary indiscretion and C. perfringens-associated intestinal disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11901570/