Papadaki C. DVM, Postgraduate student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Sarpekidou E. DVM, PhD student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Tsiaras C. DVM, Intern, Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Zapridis V. DVM, ECVΑΑ Resident, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Tzortzi I. DVM, Msc, PhD Student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Kazakos G. DVM, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Anesthesiology-Critical Care, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium of Enterobacteriaceae family, implicated in urinary tract infections in the dog. Only sparse information is available on the causative role of P. mirabilis in canine septic peritonitis.
Clinical case
A 4.5 years old, female Maltese dog was presented with an acute onset paraplegia. Diagnostic imaging examination indicated a T12-T13 intervertebral disk extrusion (Hansen type I). Four days after the occurrence of paralysis, just before the decompression surgery, the dog was presented with abdominal distension and grossly hemorrhagic discharge from the genital tract. Abdominal ultrasound indicated peritoneal fluid accumulation, which was cytologically identified as septic peritonitis. Clinicopathologic examination revealed Leukopenia and acute kidney injury.
Results
The dog succumbed a few hours later, despite the promptly implemented supportive measures. Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the urine and peritoneal fluid samples.
Conclusions
Urinary tract infections by P. mirabilis may occasionally cause a life- threatening septic peritonitis in dogs.
