The risk of post-operative infection is increased by various factors:
- The age of an animal: very young or very old animals are more susceptible to infection
- Pre-existing systemic disease
- Administration of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs
- Stress, shock or hypothermia
- Poor surgical technique with failure to adhere to good surgical technique
- Use of immunosuppressed strains of animals (e.g. nude or
scid mice) - Presence of foreign material e.g. indwelling cannula
- Virulence of bacteria in the environment and scale of any bacterial inoculum into the animal
- Operations with a high risk of compromised aseptic technique e.g. surgery on the gastro-intestinal tract
The incidence of these infections can be reduced with good surgical technique, strict aseptic technique, and carefully considered use of prophylactic antibiotics. In some cases it may be warranted to give a single large dose of antibiotic pre-operatively. This should be all that is required, and inappropriate use of antibiotics, e.g. prolonged courses or topical application, can predispose to the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria and fungal growth. Antibiotic therapy should only be given as prescribed by the Facility Veterinarian, and they should be consulted if antibiotic use is contemplated or likely to be necessary.