Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines: dogs and cats

Antimicrobials are often used at the time of surgery and it’s widely accepted that there is tremendous overuse in human and veterinary medicine. Antimicrobial prophylaxis indicated in some surgical patients to reduce the risk of surgical site infection, but a large percentage of use is unnecessary and is based on habit or fear (and antibiotics are often used to make the surgeon or owner feel better).

Clinical guidelines are an advancement in care, and the field of guideline development has … Read the rest

Candida auris in dogs

Candida auris is an emerging threat that we need to pay attention to. This fungus causes disease almost exclusively in immunocompromised people, with infections most often acquired in hospital. While infections are rare, it’s a bit problem because mortality rates tend to be very high (20-60%), it can cause outbreaks in healthcare facilities, it can live on the skin of healthy people, antifungal resistance is common and routine disinfectants don’t always work very well.

That’s a perfect combination for a … Read the rest