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Background: The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is an emerging cause of opportunistic infections. Deep pyoderma associated with Bcc infection has been reported previously in dogs receiving ciclosporin. Objective: To report the clinical and histopathological features of four additional cases of Bcc dermatitis in dogs, one of which progressed to septicaemia. Animals: Four dogs with a skin culture yielding growth of Bcc and skin biopsies for histopathological investigation. Methods and materials: Retrospective review of medical records and skin biopsies and PCR for Burkholderia on DNA extracted from paraffin‐embedded skin and liver to confirm Bcc sepsis. Results: Three different breeds and one mixed breed dog were represented. Two dogs were receiving ciclosporin and one was receiving oclacitinib. One dog had no evidence of immunosuppression. One dog was bathed two days prior to onset of skin lesions. Three dogs presented with dorsally orientated ulcers, crusts and draining tracts; one dog had infection localized to a surgical site. The main histological feature from skin biopsies was severe neutrophilic folliculitis and furunculosis with marked neutrophilic to pyogranulomatous dermatitis. Intracellular Gram‐negative and Warthin–Starry positive rods were present in three of four cases. Three dogs were successfully treated with systemic fluoroquinolones or trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. The Bcc isolate in one dog was resistant to all tested systemic antimicrobials. This dog developed septicaemia and was euthanized. Conclusions and clinical importance: Bcc skin infections can occur in immunocompetent and immunocompromised dogs. Bcc isolates may be extensively antimicrobial resistant, presenting a challenge for clinical management. Cutaneous infection may progress to life‐threatening sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective-To define clinical differences between coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus schleiferi infections in dogs and to identify risk factors for the isolation of oxacil un-resistant s schleiferi. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-225 dogs (yielding 225 S schleiferi isolates). Procedures-Information obtained from affected dogs' medical records included isolate body site source, antimicrobial treatments, and primary disease. For each dog, the S schleiferi isolate was characterized and antimicrobial susceptibility data were recorded. Risk factors for infection based on coagulase status and for S schleiferi oxacillin resistance were investigated. Results-Allergic dermatitis was the most common underlying disease (111/225 dogs). Ears (102 [45%]) and skin (95 [42%]) were sources of most of the 225 isolates. Isolate coagulase status was not significantly associated with any patient-level factors. Of the 225 isolates, 129 (57%) were oxacillin resistant. Coagulase-negative isolates were more likely to be oxacillin resistant than were coagulase-positive isolates (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 3.0). Administration of penicillin-based or first-generation cephalosporin drugs (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 5.9) and third-generation cephalosporins (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 12.3) within 30 days prior to culture were risk factors for oxacillin resistance. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive S schleiferi are potential pathogens in dogs and are often oxacillin resistant. Recent patient treatments with penicillin or cephalosporin were risk factors for oxacillin resistance. In clinical cases, full speciation of all Staphylococcus isolates should be performed and microbial treatments should be selected on the basis of results of susceptibility testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine perianal fistulas are painful sinus tracts and ulcers that spontaneously develop in the skin around the anus. Middle-aged German shepherd dogs are most commonly affected and may have a genetic susceptibility. Although the disease was once believed related to conformational factors and primarily managed surgically, an immune-mediated pathogenesis is now recognized. Long-term medical management with immunomodulatory agents has become standard of care for canine perianal fistulas. Perianal fistulas can be debilitating and have a negative impact on quality of life of dogs and owners. Accurate diagnosis and aggressive medical therapy are key to successful management of canine perianal fistulas., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)