A 5 mo old female Akita and a 1 yr, 5 mo old male German shorthaired pointer were both evaluated for soft-tissue lesions characterized by rapidly expanding edema, erythema, and pain. Ultrasound was utilized to locate and sample fluid accumulations, and β-hemolytic Streptococcus was isolated from the wounds. Development of systemic symptoms including fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea as well as a lack of response to medical management prompted surgical intervention in both cases. During surgical exploration and debridement, disruption of intermuscular tissue planes was appreciated and necrotizing fasciitis (NF) was suspected. Negative-pressure wound therapy systems utilizing 120 mm Hg of continual negative pressure were applied to wounds for 5 and 4 days for the Akita and German shorthaired pointer, respectively. Resolution of infection was achieved and although the lesions were associated with limbs, amputation was avoided. In both cases, the results of histopathology were consistent with NF. NF is recognized as a rapidly progressive infection associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Timely use of negative-pressure wound therapy appears to be a viable management tool to accompany surgical debridement, appropriate antibiotics, and analgesics.
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January/February 2015
Case Reports|
January 01 2015
The Successful Use of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Two Cases of Canine Necrotizing Fasciitis
Patrick Maguire, BVSc;
Patrick Maguire, BVSc
From the New York Veterinary Specialty Center, Farmingdale, NY.
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Joseph M. Azagrar, DVM;
Joseph M. Azagrar, DVM
From the New York Veterinary Specialty Center, Farmingdale, NY.
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Allan Carb, DVM, DACVS;
Allan Carb, DVM, DACVS
From the New York Veterinary Specialty Center, Farmingdale, NY.
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Arnold Lesser, VMD, DACVS
Arnold Lesser, VMD, DACVS
*J. Azagrar's present affiliation is Animal Emergency Service, Selden, NY.
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2015) 51 (1): 43–48.
Citation
Patrick Maguire, Joseph M. Azagrar, Allan Carb, Arnold Lesser; The Successful Use of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Two Cases of Canine Necrotizing Fasciitis. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 January 2015; 51 (1): 43–48. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6033
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