Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Two dogs developed resistant Staph spine infection after surgery
By Schwartz, M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2009·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Two dogs with iatrogenic discospondylitis caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog developed severe back pain and difficulty walking after surgery for a spinal issue. The vet diagnosed discospondylitis, an infection of the spine, caused by a resistant bacteria called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Initially treated with standard antibiotics, the dog didn't improve, but after switching to gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulphadiazine, it started to recover. Although there was a relapse when medication was stopped, a longer course of chloramphenicol led to lasting improvement, and the dog has been healthy for over two years since.
People also search for: dog back pain after surgery · MRSA infection in dogs · discospondylitis treatment for dogs
Abstract
Two dogs developed discospondylitis caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus following thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Diagnoses were established by magnetic resonance imaging and radiography, respectively, in conjunction with culturing of microbial swabs. Treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics was first initiated. As soon as culturing results, confirming meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, and antibiograms became available, antimicrobial therapy was changed to gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulphadiazine. One dog, however, deteriorated further and was euthanased. The other dog improved on appropriate therapy. The first attempt to discontinue drug therapy four months after surgery led to a relapse. Antimicrobial therapy with chloramphenicol was then initiated and maintained for an additional four months. This dog is free of any relapses for 2.5 years. The veterinary surgeon should be aware of the possible involvement of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in postsurgical discospondylitis when choosing an antibiotic for initial antimicrobial therapy while culturing results are still pending.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19320814/