Cause batteriche di mortalità neonatale nel cane

Bacterial infections are recognised as the second cause of death in newborn dogs. Because of the quick and non-specific clinical symptoms, very often diagnosis could lie only on a complete post mortem examination. The aim of this study was to evaluate bacterial causes of neonatal death in dogs and for antibiotics sensitivity test. The study was done on 14 newborn dead dogs, without any apparent sign of infection. At necroscopy, sterile swabs were collected from several organs and possible effusion for histology, for culture and antibiotics sensitivity test. The results showed that necroscopy and histology did not provide useful information about the causes of death. On the other hand, data from bacteriology showed 74% cultured samples positivity, despite the absence of lesions detectable at necroscopy in most of the cases. E coli was the most frequent isolated, both in pure culture and in association and supposed to be responsible for neonatal death in 43% of cases. Antibiotics sensitivity test showed high bacterial resistance to the most common drugs used in practice and with frequent multi-resistance. These results highlight the importance of post mortem examination followed by bacteriology and antibiotics sensitivity test for neonatal death diagnosis and for treatment of the survival of the litter-mates or prevention for future litters. The high prevalence of multi-resistance to the common antibacterials, evidenced once more the necessity to perform treatments only on the bases of sensitivity test.