Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with bacterial vasculitis and blood clots in leg artery
By Ju-Yun Kim & Hyun-Jung Han·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2025·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case report: In vivo 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 only improved briefly before he developed breathing problems and had to be euthanized. This case highlights the potential for new treatments targeting the underlying issues in similar infections.
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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 DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1470605