[Sublumbar abscesses in the dog. Retrospective evaluation of 13 patients]

Presentation of sublumbar abscesses in the dog with regard to diagnostic and therapeutic options as well as prognosis.

Retrospective evaluation of the data of 13 dogs, which were presented with sublumbar abscesses between 2002 and 2012.

Young to middle-aged and middle to large breed dogs were mainly affected. The time until presentation varied from 1 day to 2 years. Symptoms were generally nonspecific. Computed tomography and sonography were normally applied for diagnosis. All dogs underwent surgery and several wound examinations; only in two cases was a single surgical intervention sufficient. In addition, after being discharged, ambulant post-operative care was usually necessary for a considerable time. In two cases, plant foreign bodies could be identified as a cause of abscess formation, and in one case a prostatic abscess and a putative prostate carcinoma were present. After surgery, 12 of 13 dogs could be discharged. Nine of them showed an unremarkable healing process, one dog had a relapse followed by an unremarkable healing process, and one dog was euthanized at the request of the owners because of a putative relapse. One animal was lost to follow-up. One dog was euthanized after two surgical procedures.

Sublumbar abscesses are a rare, but a serious disease in veterinary medicine. Sectional imaging techniques and sonography are suitable for diagnosis. Treatment is often sophisticated and long-standing. However, with adequate treatment, the prognosis with regard to a complete convalescence is favorable. In most cases, the cause of abscess formation remains unclear.