The Effect of Cefovecin Sodium in Shelter Dogs with Bacterial Lower Respiratory Disease

This study evaluated the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of cefovecin sodium in shelter dogs with bacterial lower respiratory disease. All dogs (n = 32) with lower respiratory disease were divided into two treatment groups: the cefovecin (n = 16) and the ceftriaxone (n = 16) groups. On the first five days and the 8th day of treatment, and after treatment (15th day), the examination of all dogs was performed. Blood analysis and thoracic radiographic imaging were done. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, in the cefovecin group, Bordetella bronchiseptica (n=13), Staphylococcus spp. (n=9), Streptococcus spp. (n=7), Klebsiella pneumonia (n=1); in the ceftriaxone group; B. bronchiseptica (n=5), Escherichia coli (n=5), Pasteurella canis (n=4), Streptococcus spp. (n=3), Staphylococcus aureus (n=1), Pasteurella aerogenes (n=1) and Klebsiella oxytoca (n=1) were isolated and identified. Cefovecin and ceftriaxone sodium treatment protocols had anti-bacterial efficacies of 68.75% and 100%, respectively. In light of the study results, it is concluded that although cefovecin sodium looks to be an antibacterial drug that may be used to treat bacterial lower respiratory tract infections in shelter dogs due to its ease of use, cefovecin and other cephalosporins should not be used empirically as they may contribute to bacterial resistance.