^{Gastrointestinal}

Knowledge of the bacterial species present when dealing with an infectious condition will be very helpful in selecting an appropriate antimicrobial and therefore culture and sensitivity testing is often indicated. If this information is not available, a combination of cytology and a knowledge of which pathogens are likely for a given situation may help in selecting an appropriate antimicrobial. Some sites of infection have predictable common bacterial species, for example Staphylococci in canine pyoderma.³ Knowledge of the site of infection may also suggest whether bacteria are likely to be aerobic or anaerobic, for example abscesses are likely to involve obligate and facultative anaerobes.³

 

Suggested antimicrobials for gastrointestinal infections*

Metronidazole¹⁴

Oxytetracycline¹⁴

Tylosin^14,81

Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or 1st generation cephalosporin⁸³ for diarrhoea with complications

Enrofloxacin or erythromycin for Campylobacter⁸³

Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid ¹⁴ or a 1^st generation cephalosporin with metronidazole⁸³ if there is bleeding or a risk of intestinal bacterial translocation. Fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides for Gram-negative cover.⁸³

Enrofloxacin,^14,82 metronidazole⁸² and amoxicillin⁸² for histiocytic ulcerative colitis

 

Antimicrobials are not indicated for acute, uncomplicated vomiting or diarrhoea unless cytology and/or culture results are positive.⁸³

 

Common bacterial pathogens¹⁴

Salmonella spp.

Campylobacter spp.

Clostridia spp.

Escherichia coli

 

*Suggested antimicrobials are based on references from scientific literature and may not necessarily reflect UK market authorisations for the relevant species or condition. Veterinary surgeons are advised to carefully check the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) before prescribing a product.