Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bacteria causing incision infections after dog and cat gut surgery
By Williams, Rachel W et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2020·Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Microorganisms associated with incisional infections after gastrointestinal surgery in dogs and cats.
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs and cats that had gastrointestinal surgery were monitored for signs of incisional infections, which occurred in about 7% of the cases. The most common bacteria found in these infections was Escherichia coli, and many of these bacteria were resistant to the antibiotics typically used during surgery. The veterinarians often used cefazolin and cefoxitin, but found that other antibiotics like chloramphenicol, imipenem, and gentamicin were more effective against the bacteria causing the infections. This highlights the importance of maintaining strict hygiene during surgery and considering the bacteria's resistance when choosing treatments.
People also search for: dog surgery infection treatment · cat gastrointestinal surgery recovery · antibiotics for dog incisional infection
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of incisional infections after gastrointestinal surgery in dogs and cats and describe the aerobic bacteria isolated from these infections. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 210) and cats (n = 66). METHODS: Records of dogs and cats that underwent gastrointestinal surgery at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania were reviewed for surgical procedures, presence of an infection, bacterial species isolated, perioperative antimicrobials administered, and outcome. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 14 days (4-35). Incisional infections were recorded in 7% (20/276) of cases. Among those 20 cases, culture results were available in 12 of 20 cases. The most common bacterial isolate cultured was Escherichia coli. The most common perioperative antimicrobials administered to treat incisional infection were cefazolin and cefoxitin. Only two of the bacterial isolates were susceptible to these antimicrobials. Bacteria isolated from incisional infections were most often susceptible to chloramphenicol, imipenem, and gentamicin. CONCLUSION: Bacterial isolates from incisional infections in this population consisted of native gastrointestinal flora, which was often resistant to the most commonly used perioperative antimicrobials. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Contamination at time of surgery is the most likely source of incisional infection after gastrointestinal surgery. This rate of infection justifies more rigorous intraoperative hygiene protocols and evaluation of the antimicrobials' susceptibility of causative bacteria to guide antimicrobial treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32779226/