Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with limb paralysis and blood clots from bacterial vessel
By Kim, Ju-Yun & Han, Hyun-Jung·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·Department of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case report:detection of neutrophil extracellular traps in a dog with thrombosis induced by bacterial vasculitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old mixed-breed dog suddenly lost the use of his front leg, which turned blue and had no pulse. Tests showed he had a blood clot caused by bacterial vasculitis, a serious infection that affects blood vessels. The vet treated him with antibiotics, a medication to improve blood flow, and blood thinners, but his condition worsened, leading to breathing problems and ultimately, euthanasia. This case highlights the complexity of treating severe infections that can lead to blood clots in dogs.
People also search for: dog leg paralysis · bacterial vasculitis in dogs · dog blood clot treatment
Abstract
This case report describes NETosis as a cause of thrombosis in an 18.3 kg, 8-year-old intact male mixed-breed dog with bacterial vasculitis. The dog presented with sudden paresis of the thoracic limb, characterized by cyanosis, absent arterial pulse, and decreased peripheral blood glucose levels. Doppler ultrasound confirmed thrombosis in the dorsal common digital artery. Histopathology post-amputation revealed bacterial vasculitis, thrombosis, and infarction, with immunohistochemical staining identifying extracellular citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), indicative of NETs involvement. Treatment included antibiotics, pentoxifylline, and anticoagulants, showing transient improvement before disease progression and euthanasia due to respiratory signs. These findings suggest NETs as a potential therapeutic target for bacterial vasculitis in similar cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40012748/