# Prevalence, breed predispositions, and culture and sensitivity results of bacterial hepatobiliary infections in dogs in the United Kingdom

## TL;DR

This study found that Miniature Schnauzers and Border Terriers are more likely to get bacterial liver and bile infections in the UK, and many of the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.

## Contribution

Identified specific breed predispositions and antibiotic resistance patterns in canine bacterial hepatobiliary infections.

## Key findings

- Miniature Schnauzers and Border Terriers are significantly predisposed to bacterial hepatobiliary infections.
- Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species were the most common bacteria isolated from infections.
- Over 40% of bacterial isolates were multidrug resistant at first detection.

## Abstract

Breed predispositions for bacterial hepatobiliary infections have not been established.

To determine prevalence of bacterial hepatobiliary infections in dogs presenting to referral hospitals in the United Kingdom, ascertain whether specific breed predispositions exist, and to identify associated bacterial species.

One hundred twenty-six client-owned dogs diagnosed with bacterial hepatobiliary infections from 3 referral centers in the United Kingdom from a denominator cohort of 71 036 dogs.

Retrospective multicenter study. Prevalence of dogs diagnosed with bacterial hepatobiliary infections was calculated. Odds ratios were calculated to establish breed predispositions. Signalment, clinicopathologic results, imaging abnormalities, bacterial culture results, gallbladder histology, treatment, and outcomes were reported.

Overall prevalence was 0.15% (95% CI, 0.12-0.18). Miniature Schnauzers (OR 8.95, 95% CI, 4.36-18.35, P < .0001) and Border terriers (OR 3.21, 95% CI, 1.06-9.70, P = .04) were predisposed for bacterial hepatobiliary infection compared to crossbreed dogs. Escherichia coli (70/156, 44.9%) and Enterococcus species (26/156, 16.7%) were the most frequently cultured isolates. More than 1 isolate was cultured in 33 out of 114 (28.9%) dogs. Of isolates with available susceptibility data, 55 out of 123 (44.7%) were multidrug resistant (MDR); 36 out of 123 (29.3%) were resistant to at least one fluoroquinolone, and 20 out of 123 (16.3%) were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate when first detected.

Breed predispositions for bacterial hepatobiliary infections have been identified for Miniature Schnauzers and Border terriers. A notable proportion of bacterial isolates were MDR at first detection, but most were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate.