Treating Sepsis in Dogs

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What is Sepsis in Dogs?

Treating sepsis in dogs is essential, as it is a very serious and life-threatening condition resulting from the body’s reaction to an infection and leads to damage to its organs and tissues.

The initial stage of sepsis is characterized by the suppression of the immune system. The most common signs that follow sepsis may include increased body temperature, increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, and unusual behavior of the animal.

Some dogs may not show any visible symptoms until too late. If not treated, sepsis can lead to septic shock and death.

Types and Symptoms of Sepsis in Dogs

Blood smear from sepsis septicemia - I Love Veterinary

Sepsis is a severe condition and is always triggered by an external cause. An infection always triggers the body’s inflammatory immune response.

These infections might be:

  • Bacterial (most common)
  • Viral 
  • Fungal
  • Protozoan

The most common location origin for sepsis in dogs are

  1. Skin
  2. Urinary tract
  3. Lungs
  4. Brain
  5. Abdominal organs
  6. Uterus

The sepsis symptoms will vary depending on the type and severity of the infection and the condition’s progression. The underlying cause of the illness leading to sepsis will play a massive role in the symptoms’ progress.

The symptoms of sepsis are divided into two stages, early stage and late stage. 

Early-stage symptoms of sepsis in dogs are:

  • Fever
  • Very high or deficient white blood cells
  • Shaking
  • Lethargy
  • Confusion
  • Increased heart rate
  • A quick rise in body temperature
  • Panting
  • Decreased urinary output and anuria
  • Low glucose levels
  • Red mucous membranes

Late-stage symptoms of sepsis in dogs are:

  • Inconsistent pulse
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Cold paws and legs
  • Low body temperature
  • Glassy eyes
  • Troubled breathing
  • Fluid retention
  • Ascites
  • Organ failure

Pathophysiology of Canine Sepsis

Dog lying on the couch - I Love Veterinary

What happens to a dog’s body when it goes in sepsis and septic shock? Sepsis never happens on its own. It is always the result of another condition that was not treated and got complicated. An example of a condition like this is a superficial pulmonary infection left untreated, a urinary tract infection, a skin lesion, or a burn.

Not all dogs live in the house and are on the couch with us every day, where we can monitor minor changes in their behavior and health. Some dogs are hunting dogs, guard dogs, shepherd dogs, and so on, where if there is, for example, a urinary infection it might go undetected for a while.

Or, picture a Malamute that has its own dog house in the backyard. Under all that fur (and we all know how dense an Alaskan malamute fur is) can be a small scratch that when unnoticed, can lead to a huge wound on the skin that the owners will notice after a week or two when the fur and the skin will start to fall off.

Situations and conditions like these can lead to sepsis. A minor scratch can override the bloodstream with bacteria and can lead to sepsis. And the leading cause for sepsis is cytokines.

Cytokines are substances from the immune system that are produced to fight the infection. Cytokines cause dilation of the blood vessels, which subsequently leads to a drop in blood pressure. 

This will reduce the blood flow in the entire body including the blood flow to all major organs such as the liver, the kidneys, and the brain. The dog’s body will try to compensate by increasing its heart rate, hoping that more blood will be pumped. 

After a while, this will lead to weakening the heart and even more reduction of the blood flow.

The most common reasons for sepsis and septic shock in dogs are:

  1. Improper surgery (nonsterile instruments or infected surgery site)
  2. Preexisting infections
  3. Skin infections
  4. Urinary tract infections
  5. Pyometra and other uterine infections
  6. Pneumonia
  7. Immune disorders

Clinical Effects of Sepsis in Dogs

Dog at veterinarian - I Love Veterinary

The clinical effects of sepsis in dogs can vary from dog to dog. Researchers have categorized the response of the dogs into two categories:

  • Hyper-dynamic response during sepsis
  • Hypo-dynamic response during sepsis

The first category, the hyper-dynamic response is characterized by fever, dark red mucous membranes, bounding pulse, and tachycardia.

The second category, the hypo-dynamic response is characterized by pale white mucous membranes, hypotension, and hypothermia.

Often, dogs with sepsis will have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea and pulmonary symptoms such as coughing and trouble breathing. The biochemistry profile will show hypo- or hyperglycemia, azotemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated ALT, AST, and/or ALP.

Some coagulation abnormalities may be seen, such as decreased anticoagulant proteins (antithrombin and protein C) and a significant decrease in PT, PTT, and D-dimers.

The microcirculation changes that occur during sepsis in dogs may lead to metabolic acidosis and organ failure, the most common renal and respiratory failure.

The Available Novel Therapies

The first step in treating sepsis in dogs is finding the cause of the infection and eradicate it. This should be done by a cytological examination and culture. While we wait for the results, it is very important to introduce an antimicrobial treatment. 

For this purpose, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used, usually a combination of penicillin derivative and a fluoroquinolone. The rest of the therapy will include the maintenance of tissue perfusion and very aggressive supportive care. 

Every treatment should be tailored for the needs of every individual dog. Intravenous fluid therapy is a must for every dog suspecting of sepsis, and cardiovascular support is an essential aspect for good tissue perfusion.

In dogs that show gastrointestinal symptoms as a result of sepsis will require additional nutritional management. Some dogs may require a feeding tube, and some dogs just might need GI protective medicine such as famotidine and omeprazole.

A blood sample - I Love Veterinary

Novel therapies that became available for the treatment of sepsis in dogs include some old school medication such as:

Corticosteroids

Usually, the use of corticosteroids during sepsis is contraindicated, but in one specific condition, there is an exception. A small or physiological dose of corticosteroids can be used to manage relative adrenal insufficiency during sepsis in dogs.

Insulin

Although not yet evaluated in dogs, the clinical studies of humans in sepsis show that insulin administration to maintain a glycemic control has decreased the mortality rate by 40%.

Activated protein C

This is an anticoagulant protein that possesses anti-inflammatory, profibrinolytic, and anti-apoptotic effects. This is only available for humans currently, but if developed for canines, it will significantly increase veterinary medicine’s survival rates.

Polymixin B

This is a cationic polypeptide antibiotic that binds the endotoxin released from Gram- bacteria during sepsis. Thus, the endotoxin will be unable to activate the inflammatory cells and thus will prevent a cytokine reaction and systemic inflammation.

Polymixin B is routinely used for the treatment of Gram-sepsis in horses, and at the moment, there are studies for the use in dogs.

The Medical and Surgical Procedures Involved

When a dog with sepsis comes into the clinic, it is imperative to restore the body’s hemodynamics. By aseptically placing an IV catheter, we will be able to provide adequate fluid therapy and perfusion to the vital organs. The solution of choice in these situations is Ringer’s lactate or Normosol-R.

Hypertonic saline solution should not be used in a resuscitative process because usually, the dog is severely dehydrated. Rehydration should be done at a rate of 3-10ml/kg per hour for the next four hours and maintain it at a rate of 2-3 ml/kg per hour.

If the dog is septic and we are waiting on a culture, we should consider administering intravenous antibiotics once the perfusion improved. These antibiotics should be cephalosporins, metronidazole, or aminoglycosides.

If the dog is vomiting, placement of a nasogastric tube might be necessary. The vomiting can be controlled with chlorpromazine or metoclopramide. It is essential to listen for a bowel movement in case there is an intussusception.

The dog should be monitored closely all the time. CRT, blood pressure, CVP, mucous membrane color, pulse rate should be monitored every two to four hours. Vomiting, diarrhea, and urine output should be checked every two hours. 

Body temperature should be checked rectally every four to six hours. Glucose, BUN, sodium, total plasma solids, potassium levels, and packed-cell volume should be monitored every four to six hours.

Living and Management of Canine Sepsis

Dog and vet - I Love Veterinary

Even if the signs of sepsis and septic shock in dogs are recognized on time, the prognosis is poor. By the time the dog gets to the vet, organ failure might already begin. 

Even with aggressive antibiotic and hydration therapy, the long-term effects might still result in death. The recovery of sepsis will very much depend on the severity of the sepsis, the overall condition of the dog before the sepsis, the organs affected by the sepsis, and the likelihood of post-treatment complications.

If the dog survives the sepsis, it is crucial to be monitored closely throughout the next couple of months for clotting issues, ups, and downs in sugar levels, renal problems, urine output, liver enzymes, blood cell count, etc.

Summary

Sepsis in dogs is a life-threatening condition most likely caused by a bacterial infection but can also be caused by viruses, fungi, and protozoans. It is paramount for the dog to get a fast diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Sepsis in dogs shows many clinical symptoms, including inadequate hydration and organ perfusion, leading to organ failure and death. Intensive care and hydration are the first steps into treating sepsis.

It is vital to identify the reason for this inflammatory reaction which might be a systemic infection, burns, serious injury, foreign body, etc. If not treated, sepsis in dogs has a poor to grave prognosis.

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