Evaluation of bacterial translocation in cats undergoing laparotomy

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of bacterial translocation (BT) in cats undergoing laparotomy procedures for pathologies that are thought to increase intra-abdominal pressure or pressurize the intestinal wall. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five cats were evaluated that refered to Selcuk University Animal Hospital for laparotomy after the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations. Sterile swab samples were taken from the peritoneal fluid and an appropriate mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) immediately after reaching the abdominal region during the laparatomy. Identification of bacterial strains was carried out and bacterial spectra were analyzed. Antibiotic resistance of bacterial strains was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: BT was diagnosed in 4 (16%) of 25 cats as a result of deteriorated intestinal perfusion due to foreign body. It was determined that 2 of the BT were isolated from swap samples taken from only MLNs and 2 of them were isolated from swap samples taken from both the peritoneal cavity and MLNs. It was determined that 50% of the bacteria growing in the peritoneum were E. faecalis (n=2) and 50% were E. faecium. It was determined that the bacteria growing in the MLNs formed P. fluorescens and E. faecalis. Conclusion: BT should be considered in the presence of pathologies that affect intra-abdominal pressure or affect the intestinal wall. It is thought that the suspicion of bacterial translocation should increase in pathologies that directly affectthe intestinal wall. Itis thoughtthatthe use of specific antibiotics will be more positive in terms of prognosis by performing an antibiogram