Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Enteropathogenic bacteria in dogs and cats - diagnosis and treatment
By Marks, S L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2011·Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Enteropathogenic bacteria in dogs and cats: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and control.
Plain-English summary
This report discusses the common bacteria that can cause diarrhea in dogs and cats, focusing on types like Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli, especially in Boxers with a specific type of colitis. Diagnosing these infections can be tricky because there aren't clear guidelines for testing, and similar bacteria can be found in pets with or without diarrhea. Most of these infections resolve on their own, and giving antibiotics might do more harm than good. For bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can also affect humans, treatment usually involves supportive care rather than antibiotics. Good hygiene practices, like thorough handwashing and proper cleaning, are essential to control the spread of these bacteria. Overall, the report emphasizes the need for better testing methods and guidelines to help veterinarians manage these infections effectively.
Abstract
This report offers a consensus opinion on the diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and control of the primary enteropathogenic bacteria in dogs and cats, with an emphasis on Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli associated with granulomatous colitis in Boxers. Veterinarians are challenged when attempting to diagnose animals with suspected bacterial-associated diarrhea because well-scrutinized practice guidelines that provide objective recommendations for implementing fecal testing are lacking. This problem is compounded by similar isolation rates for putative bacterial enteropathogens in animals with and without diarrhea, and by the lack of consensus among veterinary diagnostic laboratories as to which diagnostic assays should be utilized. Most bacterial enteropathogens are associated with self-limiting diarrhea, and injudicious administration of antimicrobials could be more harmful than beneficial. Salmonella and Campylobacter are well-documented zoonoses, but antimicrobial administration is not routinely advocated in uncomplicated cases and supportive therapy is recommended. Basic practices of isolation, use of appropriate protective equipment, and proper cleaning and disinfection are the mainstays of control. Handwashing with soap and water is preferred over use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers because spores of C. difficile and C. perfringens are alcohol-resistant, but susceptible to bleach (1:10 to 1:20 dilution of regular household bleach) and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. The implementation of practice guidelines in combination with the integration of validated molecular-based testing and conventional testing is pivotal if we are to optimize the identification and management of enteropathogenic bacteria in dogs and cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22092607/