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

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. spp. and were the bacteria that were most frequently isolated. Increases in percentage resistant were seen with to cephalexin (57% to 61%), spp. to erythromycin (35% to 53%), and (31% to 39%), and 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 spp., spp., spp., and 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.