Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria from dogs and cats with liver
By Schlachet, Alexandra T et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Associated With Hepatobiliary Disease in Dogs and Cats (2010-2019).
Plain-English summary
A study looked at bacteria causing liver and bile problems in dogs and cats and how well these bacteria respond to antibiotics. Over ten years, researchers found that many of the bacteria, especially E. coli, were resistant to common antibiotics, particularly in pets that had received previous antibiotic treatments. This resistance was concerning, as about 40% of the bacteria were multidrug-resistant. The findings highlight the importance of testing for specific bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivities in pets with liver issues to ensure they receive the most effective treatment.
People also search for: dog liver disease antibiotics · cat bile infection treatment · antibiotic resistance in pets
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Description of antibiotic susceptibility of isolates from dogs and cats with hepatobiliary disease is limited. OBJECTIVES: To describe antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria associated with hepatobiliary disease in dogs and cats over a 10 year-period. ANIMALS: Three hundred nine dogs and cats. METHODS: Bacterial species and antibiotic susceptibility data from positive bile and liver tissue cultures were reviewed from both a Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a private laboratory. Prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria was assessed, along with its association with previous antibiotic administration. RESULTS: A total of 343 bacterial isolates were included from 310 cultures. Monobacterial cultures were more frequent (91%, 283/310). Gram-negative bacteria were predominant (67%, 227/340), with Escherichia coli (49%, 136/340), Staphylococcus spp. (14%, 47/340), and Enterococcus spp. (10%, 34/340) being the most prevalent isolates. Resistance of gram-negative bacteria were: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (33%, 70/214), aminopenicillins (47%, 96/205), and fluoroquinolones (16%, 67/417); for gram-positive bacteria: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (12%, 5/41), aminopenicillins (16%, 11/67), and fluoroquinolones (17%, 35/111). Resistance was significantly higher for aminopenicillins, first-generation cephalosporins, TMPS, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones during 2010-2014 compared to 2015-2019. MDR isolates comprised 40% (135/430) of all isolates, 30% (41/136) of E. coli, and 68% (23/34) of Enterococcus spp. A significantly higher incidence of MDR bacteria was observed in animals with previous antibiotic treatment (81%, 17/21) compared to those without (30%, 22/75; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Conducting culture and sensitivity testing remains crucial in dogs and cats suspected of hepatobiliary infection to ensure effective treatment.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40033521/