Antimicrobial Resistant Isolates in Surgical and Bite Wounds in Dogs and Cats: A 12-Year Retrospective Analysis

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly concern in both human and veterinary medicine, complicating the management of common clinical infections. Surgical site infections (SSIs) and bite wounds in pets are especially challenging due to their polymicrobial nature and multidrug-resistant strains. Laboratory records from a referral veterinary hospital in northwestern Italy were retrospectively analyzed. Bacterial cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results from canine and feline surgical and bite wounds collected between 2013 and 2024 were reviewed. Data were analyzed descriptively to identify bacterial distribution and resistance trends. A total of 35 isolates (23 dogs; 12 cats) were obtained from 26 surgical and 9 bite wounds. In dogs, <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i> were most frequently identified. In cats, <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> predominated. High resistance rates were recorded for amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalexin, enrofloxacin, and marbofloxacin. Methicillin resistance emerged in most <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and several <i>S. pseudintermedius</i> isolates, while subsets of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>K. pneumoniae</i> were ESBL. Resistance to carbapenems remained low. Although samples were limited, these findings underscore the ongoing impact of AMR in surgical and bite wounds and highlight the importance of implementing rigorous antimicrobial stewardship practices in veterinary medicine.