Sudden deaths of two dogs in a breeding colony associated with enteropathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and necrotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>

The findings suggest a role of EPEC and ExP-NTEC in the sudden deaths of neonatal dogs, possibly exacerbated by a naïve immune system. It is challenging to fully characterize the pathogenesis and potential risk factors as <i>E. coli</i> is present in the gastrointestinal system of healthy and asymptomatic carrier animals; however, these cases highlight the importance of comprehensive diagnostic approaches, including tools such as WGS.