Septicemia In Dogs

When a dog gets a bacterial infection, it may be in danger of contracting septicemia. It occurs when bacteria reaches the dog's bloodstream and produces toxins that spread to the dog's vital organs. Eventually, the animal's entire body can be poisoned, causing it to go into septic shock. Dogs thought to have septicemia should be taken for immediate treatment. Although some dogs recover from the disease with few or no complications, many die from it.

  1. Risk Factors and Prevention

    • Septicemia typically occurs after dogs have been exposed to disease-causing organisms, including E. Coli. Dogs are at heightened risk when they have a weakened immune system or pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or liver, kidney or urinary tract problems. The best way to protect your dog from this disease is by keeping it in an environment that it as clean and germ-free as possible.

    Symptoms and Diagnosis

    • This disease may develop slowly or suddenly, and symptoms vary by animal. However, signs to look out for include chills, fever, fatigue and depression. It is also common for dogs with septicemia to experience heart problems. If you suspect your dog may have septicemia, take him to the veterinarian immediately. Because the symptoms are similar to those of several other immune-related diseases, the vet will want to run several blood tests and a urinalysis.

    Treatment

    • The most important factor in successful treatment of septicemia is an early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Your dog will probably be prescribed aggressive antibiotics and must be watched closely for signs of complications. The most common complications include low blood sugar, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances and infections. It is also possible that your dog will be unable to eat by itself, which may require it to be fed intravenously.

    Danger to Humans

    • It is possible for humans to catch "dog bite septicemia" from infected dogs. Typically, humans will only be harmed by the bacteria if they have pre-disposing factors, such as having had their spleen removed, a weak immune system or suffering from alcoholism. If caught early, antibiotics should treat the disease easily. However, dog bite septicemia is fatal in about a third of cases, so it is essential to seek immediate medical treatment.