The clinical documentation of enteropathogenic bacteria causing diarrhea in dogs is clouded by the presence of many of these organisms existing as normal constituents of the indigenous intestinal flora. The bacteria most commonly incriminated in canine diarrhea include Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Campylobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. Veterinarians are faced with a quandary when attempting to diagnose small animals with suspected bacterial-associated diarrhea because the isolation rates for putative bacterial enteropathogens are often similar in diarrheic and nondiarrheic animals, and because the incidence of bacterial-associated diarrhea is extremely variable. The indications for performing fecal enteric panels are poorly defined, resulting in indiscriminate testing, and misinterpretation of results. Fecal cultures and toxin analysis should be reserved for dogs developing diarrhea after kenneling or show attendance, in animals with an acute onset of bloody diarrhea in association with evidence of sepsis, and in diarrhea outbreaks occurring in more than one pet in a household. Screening for C. difficile, Campylobacter spp., or Salmonella spp. is also indicated when zoonotic concerns are present because of an immunocompromisedowner.
展开▼
