EXPRESS: Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in cats – a retrospective single center analysis

Objectives The goal of this study was to describe the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in a large feline population undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) surgery and to identify factors associated with the development of SSIs specific to GI surgeries in cats, with a special focus on the usage of peri- and postoperative antibiotic treatment Methods Medical records of cats undergoing GI surgeries were retrospective analysed. Data collected included demographic data, type of surgery, indication, data from the anaesthesia protocol, antibiotic use and postoperative outcome. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with SSI. Results Out of the 188 included patients undergoing GI surgery, 20 (10.6%) developed an SSI. Of these, 11 (55%) were classified as superficial incisional infection, 4 (20%) as deep incisional infection and 5 (25%) as organ/space infections. The absence of perioperative prophylactic antibiotic (PPA) administration was associated with the highest SSI rate (52.4%, 11/21), whereas significantly lower rates were observed in patients receiving PPA alone (6.7%, 7/105), extended PPA (7.1%, 1/14), or PPA followed by continued antibiotic treatment (2.1%, 1/48). Prolonged antibiotic use after surgery in otherwise healthy animals showed no additional benefit in reducing SSI rates. Conclusions and relevance We found that PPA administration was associated with significantly lower incidence of SSI in cats undergoing GI surgery, while extended PPA use was not associated with an additional benefit. These findings provide important guidance for evidence-based antibiotic use in feline soft tissue surgery and support efforts to minimize unnecessary antibiotic administration.