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Clostridial myositis in a dog.
K B Poonacha1, J M Donahue, J R Nightengale
1Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Clostridium septicum caused fatal myositis in a Doberman Pinscher, presenting with severe limb pain and swelling. Necropsy revealed widespread emphysematous muscles and edema, indicating a rapidly progressive and lethal infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Infectious Diseases in Animals
- Canine Myopathies
Background:
- Clostridium septicum is an anaerobic bacterium known to cause gas gangrene and myonecrosis in various species.
- Myositis, inflammation of muscle tissue, can have diverse etiologies in dogs, including infectious agents.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old Doberman Pinscher presented with acute lameness, pain, and swelling of the left forelimb.
- Clinical signs progressed despite therapeutic interventions, leading to the animal's demise.
Findings:
- Necropsy confirmed extensive crepitant swelling and subcutaneous edema affecting the left forelimb, thoracic and abdominal walls, and lumbosacral region.
- Affected muscles were dark, emphysematous, and histologically showed hemorrhages, vascular congestion, myofiber degeneration/necrosis, and neutrophilic infiltration.
Implications:
- This case highlights Clostridium septicum as a cause of severe, rapidly fatal myositis in dogs.
- Early recognition and aggressive treatment are crucial for managing such infections, though outcomes can be poor.
- Further investigation into risk factors and pathogenesis of Clostridium septicum myositis in canines is warranted.