Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
German shepherd dog with splenic abscess and septic belly infection
By Ahmed Abdellatif et al.·Published in BMC Veterinary Research·2014·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: A rare case of splenic abscess with septic peritonitis in a German shepherd dog
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old male German shepherd was brought to the vet because he had a fever, wasn't eating, and seemed very tired for three days. The vet found a mass in his abdomen, and tests showed he had a serious infection in his spleen and fluid in his abdomen. The dog underwent surgery to remove the spleen and had a drain placed to help with the infection. After the surgery, tests confirmed he had a severe bacterial infection. Following treatment, the dog was on the road to recovery.
People also search for: German shepherd fever and lethargy · dog spleen surgery recovery · splenic abscess in dogs treatment
Abstract
BackgroundSplenic abscess is a rare disease with only few reports in small-animal practice as well as in human medicine. It has been mostly reported in immunocompromised patients or following penetrating foreign bodies. This report aims to add to the current veterinary literature on recommended diagnostic tools for splenic abscess, as well as to provide follow-up findings after successful surgical treatment.Case presentationAn 8-year-old male German shepherd dog was admitted to the clinic for evaluation of fever, anorexia, and lethargy for the previous 3 days. During the physical examination, a mass was palpated in the left cranioventral abdomen. Diagnostic imaging including radiography and ultrasonography revealed the presence of a large mass in the spleen and signs of peritonitis. Laboratory tests reflected highly septic pyogranulomatous inflammation and, together with imaging findings, raised a high suspicion of splenic abscess and septic peritonitis. Therapy included complete splenectomy and placement of peritoneal drainage. Bacteriological examination revealed severe infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. pseudintermedius. Histopathological evaluation of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of splenic abscess.ConclusionEarly diagnosis of splenic abscess in small animals requires a high level of suspicion based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings. Immediate surgical intervention is preferable and confirms the diagnosis. Total splenectomy remains the most effective therapy. Although there are many predisposing factors for splenic abscess, the true etiology remains obscure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/25319320