[Necrotizing fasciitis: a review]

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, fatal bacterial infection associated with a high morbidity in humans (25-40%) that is frequently underdiagnosed in veterinary patients. Rapid diagnosis of the disease is mandatory because the time to surgical intervention and the degree of debridement are the only predictive variables that influence a successful outcome. Specific clinical signs are not always present, which makes an accurate diagnosis difficult. Despite differences in microbiological etiology, the disease pattern is comparable between canine, feline and human cases. Based on the current literature and our own experience, this article presents a review of the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic strategies, therapy and prognosis of the disease.