Severe acute cellulitis and sepsis caused by Aeromonas spp. in a dog on immunosuppressive therapy

To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic investigation, and medical management of a dog on immunosuppressive therapy that developed a severe soft tissue infection attributed to Aeromonas hydrophila/caviae.

A 5-year-old female neutered Border Collie dog was presented for investigation of a rapidly growing skin lesion. The dog had been diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and was receiving immunosuppressive therapy for 5 weeks. Physical examination at initial presentation revealed no abnormalities except a 6 cm raised, erythematous, firm, and painful swelling on the ventral abdomen. Within 12 hours of admission, the lesion had expanded to cover much of the ventrum and some areas had begun to slough. The patient had also become obtunded and exhibited pyrexia, tachypnea, tachycardia as well as extreme pain around the lesion. The dog's clinical signs and hematology results were consistent with sepsis. Histopathology showed severe acute suppurative cellulitis and panniculitis and a heavy growth of A. hydrophila/caviae was obtained on tissue culture. The infection was treated with trimethoprim sulphadiazine, based on culture and susceptibility results.

This is the first reported case of severe panniculitis and cellulitis caused by Aeromonas spp. in a dog. Aeromonas spp. should be considered a differential diagnosis for cases of severe soft tissue infection, especially in immune-compromised animals or those with a history of aquatic exposure.