Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
When to use antibiotics for chronic diarrhea in dogs
By Cerquetella, M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2020·School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Proposal for rational antibacterial use in the diagnosis and treatment of dogs with chronic diarrhoea.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with chronic diarrhea may go through many tests and treatments before finding the right solution. This study suggests that veterinarians should be careful with using antibiotics, as they can lead to problems like antibiotic resistance and worsen gut health. Instead, it's recommended to try dietary changes or other treatments first, and only use antibiotics if there's clear evidence of a serious infection. By following this approach, vets can help ensure better long-term health for dogs suffering from chronic diarrhea.
People also search for: dog chronic diarrhea treatment · antibiotics for dog diarrhea · best diet for dog with diarrhea
Abstract
Chronic diarrhoea is a frequent complaint in canine practice and the diagnostic path is often characterised by numerous diagnostic tests and stepwise empirical treatments, often applied before gastrointestinal endoscopy/mucosal biopsies. These include dietary interventions (novel protein, hydrolysed protein diet), parasiticides and still, in many cases, antibacterials. Indiscriminate use of antibacterial drugs risks detrimental consequences for both the individual patient (antimicrobial resistance, long-term disruption of intestinal bacterial populations, potential worsening of gastrointestinal signs) and the general public. For that reason, in this Perspective essay we advocate use of antibacterials only after histopathologic evaluation of gastrointestinal biopsies or, for those cases in which endoscopy is not possible, after other therapeutic trials, such as diet/pre-probiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs have proven unsuccessful. They should be reserved, after appropriate dietary trials, for those canine chronic diarrhoeic patients with signs of true primary infection (i.e. signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or evidence of adherent-invasive bacteria) that justify antibacterial use.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32065388/