Rate of surgical site and urinary tract infections in dogs after cessation of antibiotics following spinal surgery

Abstract

Background: Excessive use of antimicrobials and the increasing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance are major challenges in both human and veterinary medicine. The role of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in orthopaedic and neurosurgeries in dogs can be questioned. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of surgical site infections (SSI) and urinary tract infections (UTI) in dogs after cessation of antibiotics following spinal surgery. Methods: Electronic patient records from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs that underwent spinal surgery (n = 158). Antimicrobial drug use and the presence of SSI and UTI were recorded. Results: Overall, SSI developed in 1.3% of dogs that underwent spinal surgery, while UTI developed in 8.2%. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were detected in 5.1% of dogs. The rates of SSI, UTI and MDR did not differ significantly between dogs that received postoperative antimicrobial therapy and those that did not. Limitations:The main limitation of this study was its retrospective design. Conclusion:Overall, the SSI rate in this study was low. Cessation of postoperative antimicrobial use in dogs following spinal surgery did not have a negative effect on either SSI development or the occurrence of UTI.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in canine and feline surgery

“…In a retrospective study by Välkki et al (2020) including 406 dogs undergoing clean orthopedic and neurosurgeries, in which 92.1% of the dogs received prophylactic antimicrobials and 1.1% also received postoperative antimicrobials, the rate of SSIs was 6.3%, suggesting that using only perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (without postoperative continuation) does not increase the risk of developing a SSI. In a retrospective study by Korytárová et al (2022) including 158 dogs undergoing neurosurgery, in which all dogs received prophylactic antimicrobials and 58.2% also received postoperative antimicrobials, a similar rate of SSIs in both groups was found (1.1% in dogs receiving postoperative antimicrobials versus 1.5% in dogs only receiving prophylactic antimicrobials).…”

Balancing the prevention of surgical site infections with responsible antimicrobial use in companion animal practice

“…Korytárová and colleagues' study is a good example of this effort to reduce the blanket use of prophylactic antimicrobials in surgical patients, as it clearly demonstrates that postoperative antimicrobial therapy is unnecessary in dogs undergoing spinal surgery. 9 However, we can go further and question the necessity of not only…”

“…For example, a study summarised on p 332 of this issue of Vet Record detected urinary tract infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in 5.1 per cent of dogs following spinal surgery. 9 Furthermore, another study reported SSI caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in 2.7 per cent of dogs that underwent tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, making revision surgery necessary. 10 Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers in the development of drugresistant pathogens.…”