This week we were asked if antibiotics are indicated in cases of canine acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS)? Our team of vets had the following advice:
- Routine use of antibiotics is not recommended
- Treatment of dogs with aseptic haemorrhagic gastroenteritis with co-amoxiclav does not reduce the time to resolution of clinical signs
- Evidence suggests that the addition of metronidazole is not beneficial
- Broad-spectrum i/v antibiotics are indicated in immunocompromised or neutropenic patients and in those with suspected sepsis
- Stop antibiotics as soon as the patient is clinically well
[3][6][16][17][18][25][28]
Find more answers to common emergency and critical care questions, when you sign up to VETbytes.
Start your free trial today or subscribe for £9.99/month or £99/year.
BSAVA members receive 33% discount and BSAVA 1st year qualified members 6 months FREE access, click here to find out more.
[3] Unterer, S., Strohmeyer, K., Kruse, B.D. et al. (2011)
Treatment of Aseptic Dogs with Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis with Amoxicillin /Clavulanic Acid: A Prospective Blinded Study
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine;25(5) 973-979
Full text available
[6] Unterer, S., Lechner, E., Mueller, R.S. et al (2015)
Prospective study of bacteraemia in acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome in dogs
Veterinary Record;176(12) 309
Abstract
[16] Dunowska, M. (2017)
What is causing acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome in dogs?
Veterinary Record;180(22) 539 – 541
No Abstract available
[17] Ortiz, V., Klein, L., Channell, S. et al. (2018)
Evaluating the effect of metronidazole plus amoxicillin‐clavulanate versus amoxicillin‐clavulanate alone in canine haemorrhagic diarrhoea: a randomised controlled trial in primary care practice
Journal of Small Animal Practice; 59(7) 398-403
Abstract
[18] Ziese, A.L., Suchodolski, J.S., Hartmann, K. et al. (2018)
Effect of probiotic treatment on the clinical course, intestinal microbiome, and toxigenic Clostridium perfringens in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea
PLOS One; 13(9) e0204691
Full text available
[25] Dean, R. and Perry, R. (2017)
Use of antibiotics in dogs with aseptic haemorrhagic gastroenteritis
In [clinically well dogs with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis] does [systemic antibiotics compared to no antibiotics] [decrease the time to resolution of clinical signs]?
BESTbets for Vets, University of Nottingham
Full text available
[28] Unterer, S. (2017)
Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome – an update
An urban experience, 42nd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress and FECAVA 23rd Eurocongress pp 242-243