A rare case of splenic abscess with septic peritonitis in a German shepherd dog

BMC Veterinary Research

Martin Kramer¹  Christine Peppler¹  Charlotte Günther¹  Ahmed Abdellatif² 

[1] Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Clinic for Small Animals (Surgery), Justus-Liebig University, Frankfurter Street 108, Giessen 35392, Germany;Animal Surgery Department, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt

关键词: Dog;    Ultrasonography;    Peritonitis;    Splenic abscess;    Spleen;   

Others  :  1119035
DOI  :  10.1186/s12917-014-0201-z

 received in 2014-05-05, accepted in 2014-08-15,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Splenic abscess is a rare disease with only few reports in small-animal practice as well as in human medicine. It has been mostly reported in immunocompromised patients or following penetrating foreign bodies. This report aims to add to the current veterinary literature on recommended diagnostic tools for splenic abscess, as well as to provide follow-up findings after successful surgical treatment.

Case presentation

An 8-year-old male German shepherd dog was admitted to the clinic for evaluation of fever, anorexia, and lethargy for the previous 3 days. During the physical examination, a mass was palpated in the left cranioventral abdomen. Diagnostic imaging including radiography and ultrasonography revealed the presence of a large mass in the spleen and signs of peritonitis. Laboratory tests reflected highly septic pyogranulomatous inflammation and, together with imaging findings, raised a high suspicion of splenic abscess and septic peritonitis. Therapy included complete splenectomy and placement of peritoneal drainage. Bacteriological examination revealed severe infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. pseudintermedius. Histopathological evaluation of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of splenic abscess.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis of splenic abscess in small animals requires a high level of suspicion based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings. Immediate surgical intervention is preferable and confirms the diagnosis. Total splenectomy remains the most effective therapy. Although there are many predisposing factors for splenic abscess, the true etiology remains obscure.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Abdellatif et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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