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Prevalence of Diarrhea and Enteropathogens in Racing Sled Dogs |
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| Authors: | E McKenzie J Riehl H Banse PH Kass S Nelson Jr SL Marks |
| Institution: | Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR;, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK;, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA;, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA;, and Iditarod Trail Committee, Wasilla, AK |
| Abstract: | Background: Diarrhea is highly prevalent in racing sled dogs, although the underlying causes are poorly understood. Hypothesis: Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) and Clostridium difficile Toxin A and B are associated with diarrhea in racing sled dogs. Animals: One hundred and thirty-five sled dogs. Methods: Freshly voided feces were obtained from 55 dogs before racing and from 80 dogs after 400 miles of racing. Samples were visually scored for diarrhea, mucus, blood, and melena. CPE and C. difficile Toxin A and B were detected by ELISA. Samples were cultured for C. perfringens, C. difficile, Campylobacter, Salmonella , and Escherichia coli 0157; Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected via immunofluorescence. Results: Diarrhea occurred in 36% of dogs during racing, and hematochezia, fecal mucus or melena, or all 3 occurred in 57.5% of dogs. Salmonella was isolated from 78.2% of dogs before racing, and from 71.3% of dogs during racing. C. perfringens and C. difficile were isolated from 100 and 58.2% of dogs before racing, and from 95 and 36.3% of dogs during racing. Dogs were more likely to test positive for CPE during than before racing (18.8 versus 5.5%, P = .021); however, no enteropathogens or their respective toxins were significantly associated with hematochezia or diarrhea. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Sled dogs participating in long distance racing have a high prevalence of diarrhea and hematochezia that is not associated with common enteropathogens. It is possible that diarrhea and hematochezia represent the effect of prolonged exercise on the gastrointestinal tract. |
| Keywords: | Anaerobic bacteria Bacterial microbiology Diarrhea and vomiting Gastroenterology Salmonella bacterial species Sports medicine |