Harari J, Besser T E, Gustafson S B, Meinkoth K
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6610.
Vet Surg. 1993 Jan-Feb;22(1):27-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1993.tb00364.x.
Bacteria in blood cultures in 30 dogs undergoing high-speed dental scaling and tooth extraction were examined. One or more positive blood cultures were identified in 9 of 30 (30%) dogs. Pasteurella spp. were most frequently (5 dogs) isolated and were sensitive to ampicillin, penicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, and sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim. Two groups of 15 dogs each, anesthetized or sedated but not undergoing dental procedures, served as non-dentistry controls. There were no significant (p < .05) differences between the number of positive cultures in dentistry and non-dentistry groups. In healthy dogs undergoing high-speed dental scaling and tooth extraction, the occurrence of bacteria in blood cultures was much lower than previously reported. The clinical significance of positive blood cultures was uncertain.
