Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) following veterinary obstetrical and gynecologic procedures present substantial clinical and economic burdens across species. This narrative review synthesizes published literature on SSI epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and prevention strategies in companion and large animals. Documented SSI incidence ranges from 3–6% for all surgical procedures, 1.7% for minimally invasive procedures, and 15.8% for orthopedic surgeries. In bovine abdominal surgeries, incidence ranges from 4.4–10.5%, with infected dairy cows facing a 4.8-fold higher culling risk. Pathogens commonly associated with SSIs include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Escherichia coli, along with other Gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes. Clinical manifestations range from localized inflammation to systemic infection with speciesspecific presentations. Effective prevention requires multimodal approach: incorporating preoperative skin preparation, timely antibiotic administration, and evidence-based surgical techniques. This review highlights critical knowledge gaps in SSI prevention for veterinary reproductive surgery and summarizes current evidence that may inform clinical decisionmaking.

Keywords

obstetrics, perioperative, surgical site infections, wound complication