BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem in human and veterinary medicine and is closely linked to the use of antimicrobials. The objective of this study was to describe antimicrobial prescriptions for selected canine diseases in Switzerland during 2016.MethodsDogs presented to two university hospitals and 14 private practices for acute diarrhoea (AD; n=371), suspected or confirmed urinary tract infections (UTIs; n=245), respiratory tract infections (RTIs; n=274) or wound infections (WIs; n=175) were included. Clinical history, diagnostic work-up and antimicrobial prescription (class, dosage and duration) were retrospectively assessed. A justification score was applied to evaluate appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy based on available national and international consensus guidelines.ResultsAntimicrobials were prescribed in 65 per cent of dogs with AD, 88 per cent with UTI, 62 per cent with RTI and 90 per cent with WI. The most prescribed antimicrobial classes (monotherapy and combination therapy) were potentiated aminopenicillins (59 per cent), nitroimidazoles (22 per cent), non-potentiated aminopenicillins (16 per cent) and fluoroquinolones (13 per cent). Overall, 38 per cent (95 per cent CI 0.35 to 0.41) of the prescriptions were in accordance with consensus guidelines. In dogs with AD, antimicrobial therapy was associated with the presence of haemorrhagic diarrhoea (P<0.05) and complied in 32 per cent with consensus guidelines, which recommend antimicrobial treatment only when sepsis is suspected. A bacterial aetiology was confirmed via culture and/or sediment examination in 36 per cent of dogs with suspected UTI.ConclusionsOverall, adherence to consensus guidelines was poor both, at university hospitals and private practices. Antimicrobial stewardship measures are therefore needed to improve prudent use.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a well-established biomarker for bacterial infection in human patients.Objectives: We aimed to analyze the kinetics of plasma PCT (pPCT) in healthy dogs and dogs with canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Methods:This prospective, longitudinal study included 15 healthy dogs and 25 dogs undergoing TPLO. Hematology, pPCT, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed on 3 consecutive days in healthy dogs and 1 day preoperatively and days 1, 2, 10, and 56 postoperatively. Inter-and intraindividual variability of pPCT were assessed in healthy dogs. Median pPCT concentrations of dogs with CCL rupture preoperatively were compared with healthy controls, and median pPCT concentrations, as well as percentage change post anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO, were compared with baseline.For the correlation analysis, the Spearman rank correlation test was used.Results: Inter-and intraindividual variabilities of pPCT in healthy dogs were 36% and 15%, respectively. Median baseline pPCT concentrations were not significantly different between healthy dogs (118.9 pg/mL; IQR: 75.3-157.3 pg/mL) and dogs undergoing TPLO (95.9 pg/mL; IQR: 63.8-117.0 pg/mL). Plasma PCT concentrations were significantly lower immediately post-than preoperatively (P < 0.001). CRP, WBC, and neutrophil concentrations increased significantly on post-OP day 2 and had normalized by day 10. Conclusions:These results indicate that CCL rupture, as well as anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO combined, are not associated with increased pPCT concentrations in dogs with uncomplicated recovery. Considering the high intraindividual variability, individual serial measurements rather than a population-based reference interval should be considered.

Case summary A 7-month-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of stunted growth, recurrent hypoglycaemia during the first months of its life and altered mentation. Complete blood count and biochemistry were unremarkable, except for mildly elevated serum creatinine concentration (despite low muscle mass) and concurrent isosthenuria. Hyposomatotropism was diagnosed based on persistent low circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations and a lack of response of circulating growth hormone (GH) concentration after the administration of GH-releasing hormone. Other endocrinopathies such as hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism were excluded. MRI of the brain revealed a fluid-filled empty sella tursica, consistent with a pituitary cyst and atrophy/hypoplasia of the pituitary. Echocardiography was unremarkable at the time of diagnosis of hyposomatotropism. Three months later, ovariohysterectomy revealed immature ovaries, raising the suspicion of luteinising and follicle-stimulating hormone deficiency. At 1 year of age, the cat developed congestive heart failure secondarily to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with severely reduced left ventricular systolic function and died a few days later. Pathology showed atrophy of the adenohypophysis, epithelial delineation of the pituitary cysts, mild cardiomegaly, multifocal fibrosis of the left ventricle and a mild, multifocal, chronic epicarditis. Relevance and novel information GH deficiency is a very rare endocrinopathy in cats. This is the first case to describe the development of DCM with concurrent hyposomatotropism, which has previously been reported in human medicine. Other notable abnormalities that could be related to GH deficiency are juvenile self-limiting hypoglycaemia, behavioural changes and possible nephropathy.