Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Antimicrobials administration, treatment outcome and bacterial susceptibility in canine pyometra cases subjected to ovariohysterectomy.
- Journal:
- Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
- Year:
- 2024
- Authors:
- Bertero, A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Sciences · Italy
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Pyometra is a serious bacterial infection of the uterus that often affects older female dogs that have not been spayed. The best treatment for this condition is to perform a surgery called ovariohysterectomy, which involves removing the uterus and ovaries, and giving antibiotics around the time of surgery. In a study of 51 dogs treated for pyometra, all of them recovered well without any infections at the surgery site. However, some dogs had longer hospital stays if they developed more serious complications like peritonitis or sepsis. The study found that while most dogs received effective antibiotics, some did not, and the best antibiotic for the most common bacteria found was cephazolin. Overall, the findings suggest that dogs with pyometra generally do well after surgery and antibiotic treatment.
Abstract
Pyometra is a bacterial uterine infection that frequently affects intact older bitches. The treatment of choice is ovariohysterectomy, often associated with perioperative antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this retrospective investigation was to evaluate the antibiotic choice at different administration times (pre-surgery, at surgery/during hospitalization, and post-surgery) against complications and outcomes, considering the susceptibility profile of bacteria. The medical records of 51 bitches referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Turin (January 2021-November 2023) and subjected to ovariohysterectomy and bacteriological examination (bacterial culture and susceptibility tests) of the uterine exudate, were analysed. All animals had a positive outcome without surgical site infections, with a longer hospitalization time in case of peritonitis or sepsis; antimicrobials were administered for an average of 7 days. Comparing the susceptibility of the isolated bacteria towards the antimicrobials administered before, during and after surgery, complete efficacy was observed in 42 %, 46 % and 50 % of cases, respectively. In addition, 5/16 peritonitis cases were treated with an in vitro ineffective antimicrobial, and 30 % of the bitches never received a fully effective antibiotic, according to susceptibility tests using the minimum inhibitory concentration method (MIC). Cephazolin resulted the best option for Escherichia coli, the most frequently isolated bacterium. Our study confirms that pyometra has a good prognosis following ovariohysterectomy and antibiotic administration. Monitoring the clinical evolution without changing the antibiotic according to bacterial susceptibility could represent the right choice in uncomplicated cases. Evaluation of outcomes without postoperative antibacterial treatment or with a shorter course would be another topic worth investigating, with the aim to judiciously reduce the use of antibiotics.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38866074/