Postoperative infection with a multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a Bernese mountain dog with a rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament
- F. Vandael
- E. de Bakker
- D. Paepe
- L. Mosselmans
- Y. Samoy
- G. Verhoeven
- B. Van Ryssen
Abstract
A female Bernese mountain dog of 5.5 years old was referred to the Ghent University Clinic because of septic arthritis of the left stifle joint after an explorative arthrotomy. The pathogenic germ was a multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The stifle joint was operated on again, flushed and the dog was treated with meropenem (Meronem®, NV AstraZeneca SA, Brussels, Belgium) subcutaneously for a period of eight weeks. During that period, the cranial cruciate ligament ruptured in the affected stifle joint. Therefore, a treatment with a tibial tuberosity advancement technique, i.e. TTA Rapid was conducted. Despite the infection, the severe symptoms and the concomitant rupture of the cruciate ligament, the dog made a full recovery. Multiresistant bacteria are difficult to treat and demand a thorough approach of the attending veterinarian, a strong commitment of the owner and the exceptional use of potent, “last resort” antibiotics guided by antibiogram results. In this case report, it is demonstrated that even severe cases of postoperative infection with MRSA can be managed successfully with proper treatment.
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