Necrotising fasciitis associated with Escherichia coli in a dog

Authors: Marshall N, Worth AJ, Thompson KG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 53, Issue 4, pp 257-260, Aug 2005
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Trauma/injuries, Treatment/therapy, Emergency medicine/critical care, Locomotor, Disease/defect, Sepsis/infection, Infectious disease, Surgery
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: CASE HISTORY: Lameness and limb pain associated with a laceration in the inner thigh of a Border Collie dog progressed over 4 days to extensive necrosis of the full-thickness of skin and subcutaneous (S/C) tissue. A successful outcome was achieved using surgical debridement and intensive supportive care, followed by limited local closure, axial pattern flap development, and free skin grafting.
CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical findings included severe pain, depression, pyrexia and hypoalbuminaemia, and full-thickness loss of skin from the caudal thigh to the hock. Histopathologically, debrided tissue showed extensive necrosis of the dermis, adipose and muscle tissues, and the presence of numerous Gram-negative rods. Escherichia coli was cultured from deep tissue samples.
DIAGNOSIS: Necrotising fasciitis (NF) associated with E. coli infection.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: NF associated with E. coli has not been previously reported in dogs. The importance of early diagnosis and surgical debridement is noted and the relevant medical literature is reviewed.
KEY WORDS: Necrotising fasciitis, superficial epigastric axial pattern flap, full thickness skin grafting, E. coli

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