Abstract

FISCHER WIETHUCHTER, Christof; TRONCOSO TORO, Ignacio Eduardo  and  CHERRES VILLARROEL, Mitzi Deina. Necrotizing fasciitis in a dog: a case report. Ces. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 2015, vol.10, n.1, pp.64-70. ISSN 1900-9607.

A case of necrotizing fasciitis is described in a two years-old dog. The animal was a male French Bulldog with a history of acute claudication of the right forelimb and no history of trauma. On clinical examination a severe limping was evident. The animal was not supporting on the affected limb and presented high body temperature and severe swelling of the limb. Blood tests revealed hypoalbuminemia and leukocytosis. Exploratory surgery was performed after suspecting a rapidly evolving acute infection. Necrotic areas were identified in skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle. Debridement, abundant flushing, and placement of drains in the affected areas were performed. A sample for cell culture taken during surgery resulted in isolation of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, which lead to a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. The patient evolved favorably, gaining support on the affected limb four weeks after the intervention. There are few reports in veterinary medicine worldwide on patients affected with necrotizing fasciitis. The aim of this study was to describe the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in a dog.

Keywords : Beta hemolytic Streptococcus; canine; necrotizing fasciitis.

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