Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from cats and dogs from the Atlantic Provinces, Canada from 1994-2013.

Abstract

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and trends in bacteria isolated from cats and dogs were determined from diagnostic laboratory data from the Atlantic Veterinary College Diagnostic Services Bacteriology Laboratory over a 20-year period. Clinical samples were most commonly from the urinary tract and the ear. <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. and <i>Escherichia coli</i> were the bacteria that were most frequently isolated. Increases in percentage resistant were seen with <i>E. coli</i> to cephalexin (57% to 61%), <i>Pasteurella</i> spp. to erythromycin (35% to 53%), and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (31% to 39%), and <i>Streptococcus</i> spp. (46% to 53%) to enrofloxacin. The frequency of resistance did not change significantly over the study period; however, increased enrofloxacin resistance was identified for canine isolates of <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Streptococcus</i> spp., <i>Enterococcus</i> spp., <i>E. coli, P. aeruginosa,</i> and <i>Proteus</i> spp. Multidrug resistance was observed in 12% and 9% of the isolates from dogs and cats, respectively. Data from this study could be used to guide empirical antimicrobial selection in companion animal veterinary practices in Atlantic Canada.