Clostridium is a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that is responsible for a number of illnesses in dogs. There are many different strains; some can be present in healthy dogs, and others can cause serious illnesses like tetanus and botulism. Some Clostridium bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics and must be treated with targeted drugs like metronidazole or bacitracin, while others are sensitive to common antibiotics. Dogs may come into contact with the bacteria in a number of ways; it usually causes colitis-like symptoms that can mimic other illnesses.
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Contaminated Food
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Improperly stored food can contain Clostridium. Food that has been stored or handled improperly can easily become contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness. Clostridium perfringens is the bacteria responsible for typical food poisoning in both dogs and people, and Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, which can be fatal. Symptoms usually appear 8 to 16 hours after ingestion in the form of diarrhea and stomach cramps. Vomiting and fever rarely occur with Clostridium perfringens poisoning, but are common in cases of botulism. Clostridium perfringens will sometimes expend itself over a 24-hour period, but botulism requires immediate medical attention.
Contaminated Wound
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Allowing dirt to enter wounds can cause tetanus. An open wound that has been exposed to contaminated soil can become infected by Clostridium tetani, the bacteria that causes tetanus. Although dogs and cats are generally quite resistant to tetanus, keeping wounds clean is an important step in preventing a potentially fatal infection. Clostridium perfringens can also contaminate an open wound and in its spore form is the bacteria responsible for gangrene. Gangrene is a potentially fatal infection and requires aggressive treatment to stop. Clostridium perfringens can be eradicated with common antibiotics, but limbs affected with gangrene must usually be amputated.
Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
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Antibiotics can allow Clostridium difficile to flourish. Clostridium difficile is found in the digestive tract of healthy puppies, but the naturally resident bacteria population keeps the ratio low enough that no problems result. When a dog is given an extended course of antibiotics, it may reduce the number of “good” bacteria in the intestines temporarily. Because Clostridium difficile is resistant to most antibiotics, it will flourish during this period without the other bacteria to keep it in check. Once the difficile population reaches a certain level, it causes pseudomembranous colitis, a major colon infection that causes painful diarrhea and dehydration. Humans are also susceptible to intestinal distress caused by Clostridium difficile, so if the family pet is infected, precautions should be taken to avoid the spread of the bacteria. Metronidazole and bacitracin are two common medications that are effective against Clostridium difficile.
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