Contributors: Kathleen P Freeman, James Simpson
Species: Canine | Classification: Lab Tests
Overview
- Bacterial infections can cause severe diarrhea, especially in young animals.
- Fecal culture can demonstrate these bacteria and with sensitivity testing suggest effective antimicrobial therapy.
Uses
Alone
- Identification of bacterial causes of enteritis.
- Identification of intestinal carriers of zoonotic bacteria, eg Salmonella Salmonella spp , Campylobacter Campylobacter jejuni , certain types of E. coli, Clostridia spp, Yersina spp.
Sampling
Source of Test Material
- Rectal sample or freshly voided feces.
Quality Control
Precautions
- Standard hygiene.
Sample storage
- Transport medium swabs ( rectal swab) or sterile container (feces or diarrhea sample).
- Refrigerate if sample is not being posted/processed immediately.
Sample transport
- Package according to postal regulations Transportation of diagnostic specimen.
Tests
Methodologies
- Growth on selective and nonselective media with identification of significant colonies.
Availability
- Widely available.
Technique (Intrinsic) Limitations
- May have false negative cultures when pathogens present.
- It is important to carry out at least two samplings as pathogens are excreted intermittently.
Technician (Extrinsic) Limitations
- Requires special knowledge and techniques for accurate isolation and identification of potential pathogens.
Result Data
Normal (Reference) Values
- E. coli Escherichia coli and Campylobacter Campylobacter jejuni may be isolated from healthy dogs.
- Serotyping of E. coli isolates may be necessary before a result is considered significant, especially in adult.
Abnormal Values
- Significant organisms include: E. coli Escherichia coli (specific serotypes), Campylobacter Campylobacter jejuni , Salmonella spp Salmonella spp , Clostridia spp Clostridium botulinum , Yersinia spp.
Errors and Artifacts
- False negative culture results: if treatment with antimicrobials before sampling.
Further Reading
Publications
- Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
- Marks S L et al (1999) Evaluation of methods to diagnose Clostridium perfringens-associated diarrhea in dogs. JAVMA 214 (3), 357-360.