Signs of an Infection in Animals
Learn How to Recognize Systemic Infection or an Infected Wound
May 11, 2008
Infections occur when the population of bacteria in a wound or other site becomes too much for the body’s immune system to handle, and if not treated in a timely manner, many infections can turn deadly.
There are many situations where infection can occur. Open wounds are prime targets for infection, as are areas of the body where high bacteria populations are already present, like the digestive system and respiratory system. Infection can move below the skin, forming an abscess. And infections in pets can even affect the bones, muscles, brain, spinal cord or blood, resulting in a deadly condition known as sepsis.
“Remember, a pet's wound should be looking better with time. Photographing the wound can help, as it can be difficult to notice gradual changes when relying on memory. If the wound is worsening or growing larger, it’s time for the vet,” Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, explained.
Redness, pain, inflammation, and yellow or green-tinted discharge, odor, fever and warmth at the site are among the most common symptoms that indicate an infection has taken hold in a cat, dog, livestock or other pet. In the animal's digestive system, diarrhea and vomiting can indicate infection. In the respiratory system, discharge, coughing and sneezing are all warning signs. In extreme cases, where the infection is affecting large portions of the body or vital organ systems, it’s not uncommon to see fever, seizure, lethargy, a loss of appetite and other symptoms of illness.
Often, in the initial stages of infection, proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques can kill the bacteria and allow for healing. But once an infection is established, strong oral antibiotics are required from a veterinarian.
“Even if a wound is seriously infected, it’s vital to keep cleaning and disinfecting the area three times daily, particularly if the patient has not been started on oral antibiotics. These measures may not be sufficient to completely heal the area, but they will help to slow the infection’s progression,” Dr. Levine explained.
Some of the most obvious infections are at the skin’s surface, but pets, like humans, are prone to developing infections beneath the skin’s surface. For cases like these, oral antibiotics are a must, as there is no other way to reduce the high population of bacteria, which has already gone beyond the reach of the defenses of the pet’s immune system.
In the case of an infected skin wound, the bacteria can move below the surface, forming a pocket of infection known as an abscess. Abscesses often appear as swollen, red and painful areas of tissue. Limping and impaired movement in the area of the abscess is not uncommon. In addition to oral antibiotics, repeated draining of the abscess is often required to allow for proper healing.
Infections can also travel through your pet’s body, often using pre-established “highways” such as the digestive tract, respiratory system blood vessels, veins and capillaries. When this occurs, infection can quickly travel, resulting in a life-threatening condition called sepsis, which means that the bacteria has invaded the entire body and the infection has turned systemic. Only strong antibiotics, usually delivered by IV, combined with supportive care, can cure a case of sepsis.
Infection can also cause tissue death or necrosis, often due to extreme swelling that inhibits blood flow to a particular region. Damage caused by the rogue bacteria can also directly affect capillaries and vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood, leading to necrosis. Blackened or green tissue in a pet is indicative of necrosis, which can even be associated with severe scarring, amputation and even maggot infestations, which occur when certain fly species lay eggs in the necrotic tissue.
Related Reading:
* How to Clean a Pet's Bite Wound
 |
