Sepsis is a serious, life‑threatening condition where the body overreacts to an infection, causing damage to its own organs. Clinical signs can include fever, fast heart rate, fast breathing rate and high white blood cell count with concurrent infection.
Diagnostic Testing
A wide range of testing may be required to identify the infection causing sepsis in your pet. These can include:
- Bloodwork – assessing blood cells, electrolytes, vitamins and organ function
- Abdominal and thoracic imaging (ultrasound, radiographs, CT or MRI scan)
- Urine testing and culture
- Fluid sampling – blood cultures, joint fluid, spinal (CSF) fluid, body cavity fluid
- Coagulation testing
- Faecal testing
Treatment
Removal of the septic focus is the primary focus (often via surgery), depending on the origin of the infection.
Broad spectrum antibiotics, intravenous fluid therapy, blood product transfusion, anti-nausea medication, prokinetic support, glucose and electrolyte supplementation, feeding tubes or intravenous nutrition and medications to support blood pressure are commonly prescribed.
Prognosis
Patients with sepsis are often hospitalised for a week or more.
The prognosis varies depending on the origin of infection and extent of organ damage. In dogs and cats, between 30-70% can survive hospitalisation with sepsis.
Unfortunately, the prognosis is worse in dogs and cats where multiple organs start to fail.
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