Purulent inflammation in animals. Abscess (abscess, abscess). Veterinary

Synonyms: abscess, abscess

An abscess is a limited cavity filled with pus, resulting from localized acute purulent, infectious inflammation of loose tissue, less often other tissues and organs.

Types of abscesses (abscesses, abscesses) in animals

Abscesses are:

sharp,
subacute,
chronic,
aseptic,
infectious,
superficial,
deep,
benign,
malignant,
metastatic,
cold,
drip.

Depending on the stage of development, there are forming, maturing or mature abscesses.

Reasons for the development of an abscess

Abscesses result from the introduction of pyogenic microorganisms into the tissue, more often these are staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, actinomycetes and other fungi and bacteria.

Superficial mature abscesses are easy to diagnose, run easily, give fewer complications, often heal on their own, after spontaneous autopsy. Subcutaneous abscesses can occur during deep purulent-necrotic processes (arthritis, osteomyelitis).

Deep abscesses more difficult to diagnose, difficult to proceed, complicated as a result of the breakthrough of pus into tissues and organs. Sometimes they are encapsulated (closed with a capsule, and the infection remains as in a capsule), which creates a focus of "dormant" infection. Decreased immunity, surgical interventions contribute to the exit of the infection beyond the capsule, and an outbreak of "dormant" infection begins, which in most cases ends with sepsis (blood poisoning).

Malignant abscesses characterized by diffuse painful foci with hot edema, breakthroughs of pus, the development of phlegmon is possible. The contents of the abscess are dirty brown in color, offensive, there is gas. Tuberculous abscess is the most prominent example.

Cold abscess differs in a chronic course, delayed maturation, in fact there are no signs of inflammation, slight soreness. As a rule, they spontaneously open up and pus flows out of the abscess for a long time, a fistula is formed.

Leaky abscess- a kind of cold abscess. It is formed due to pus from an existing cold abscess that penetrates along the vessels and nerves into the intermuscular and other connective tissues. In sheep, such abscesses are observed with brucellosis, in horses - with prolonged abscesses and phlegmon, in cows - with tuberculosis.

Metastatic abscesses, as a rule, are acute. They are formed as a result of the transfer of microbes by blood and lymph from the primary focus to the internal organs. Often seen in metastatic sepsis.

Turpentine abscess refers to aseptic benign. Formed under the influence of turpentine injection under the skin, or into the muscle. It is a curative veterinary abscess. During the formation of such an abscess, microorganisms in the blood and tissues are concentrated, as if fixed in it, and die under the influence of turpentine.

An abscess in animals is a cavity of limited size that is filled with pus, most often formed as a result of purulent tissue decay.One of the first signs that indicates an abscess in a dog is the presence of a mild inflammatory process with infiltration and local pain in a certain area of the body. However, in some cases, there may be no pain.

Etiology

The cause of abscesses in animals is wounds received during a walk or in a fight. Abscesses are very common in cats, especially in cats that are involved in the "spring massacre". Microorganisms, penetrating into the damaged layers of the skin or mucous membrane, begin to multiply intensively. Often, the cause of the abscess is medical manipulations (injections and subcutaneous infusions), which were performed without observing antiseptic standards. An abscess can also form with suppuration of hematomas, lymphoextravasates, as well as as a result of the migration of microbes with the bloodstream and lymph from a purulent focus into healthy tissue.

Treatment of an abscess in dogs is very difficult, much more difficult than in cats, since it is most often caused by chronic diseases. That is why it can be quite difficult to cope with an abscess at home.

Classification

It is customary to classify abscesses depending on the morphological composition of the purulent contents. They are divided into: malignant and benign.

Benign abscess- has a thick, creamy exudate, which contains a large number of leukocytes. Such an abscess is well localized by a complete granulation barrier.

Malignant form of abscess differs in the content of a liquid fraction of purulent exudate, with a large number of microorganisms and a small number of live leukocytes. The formation of the granulation barrier is slow, there is a tendency to generalization, but the development of phlegmon is also possible.

Clinically, abscesses are divided into: acute (hot) and chronic (cold), and at the site of localization: deep and superficial.

The onset of pathology, symptoms

An abscess usually begins with a small, often punctured wound (bite), where bacteria enter, and they begin to multiply. In some cases, a certain hollow space, a pocket in the tissues, in which, under favorable conditions, bacteria begin to multiply rapidly becomes "responsible" for the abscess. The animal's body reacts to such penetration with inflammation. An abscess may also occur after an injection in a dog, when the rules of hygiene have not been followed. If the leukocytes failed to cope with foreign bacteria, an abscess begins to form in the cavity, with clearly defined walls. Gradually, pus with a large number of necrotic cells, bacterial fragments and leukocytes begins to accumulate in this space. The "walls" of the abscess are formed by the animal's body itself, which is a kind of protective factor that prevents the spread of infection further through the body, localizing the focus of inflammation.

Purulent contents in the abscess cavity accumulate until a maximum increase in pressure occurs, and the abscess does not open up on its own. Then the pus starts to flow out.

The outlet is usually formed in the place where the microcirculation of cells is disturbed and they are necrotic. Most often, an abscess breaks out into the external environment, but often pus and bacteria enter the cavity of the animal's body (abdominal, chest), which is a very great danger to the life of a dog or cat.

In most cases, an abscess in cats opens on its own and after the evacuation of pus outside, the body successfully copes with the disease. Relapses are very rare, they are possible only when the wound closes before the exudate completely drains out. In such cases, abscesses can be repeated many times.

An abscess on a hip in a dog after self-opening can look like a very large and terrible wound, but in fact, if the exit hole is large enough, then the pus will come out faster (and completely) and the healing process is faster. Relapses with large outlets are much less common in animals.

With an abscess in animals, an increase in local temperature is observed, hyperemia, soreness in the area of a gradually forming cone-shaped swelling is manifested. The presence of fluctuations can be noted by palpation.

Diagnosis is usually made visually and clinically.

It is very common to have an abscess of the anal glands in dogs. When the natural outflow is disturbed and when the paraanal sinuses overflow with secretion, the anal glands become inflamed, the dog increasingly shows anxiety when the tail is touched. The secret, normally liquid, thickens, flakes form in it. At the same time, the secretion of the paraanal glands is actively absorbed into the blood, which is manifested by severe itching throughout the body. Dogs begin to itch convulsively, lick the skin, especially over the base of the tail.

With the introduction of microorganisms, suppuration begins in this place and an abscess is formed, which, as it matures, increases, gives the animal even more anxiety, and when ripe breaks out. The exit hole in most cases is formed near the anus, sometimes closer to the tail.

Abscess in cats treatment. In the stage of infiltration (initial stage), the use of novocaine blockade is shown. In a dog, an abscess is treated with alcohol-ichthyol compresses (warming) and oil-balsamic dressings according to Vishnevsky. With already formed abscesses, pus is removed, the cavity is washed, the use of antibiotics is necessarily indicated.

Frequently asked questions to the doctor.

How to prevent an anal abscess in a dog?

It is recommended to carry out mechanical cleaning of the anal glands and paraanal sinuses from secretions every 4-9 months. In Pekingese they begin to be cleaned already at the age of 5 months, and in some breeds of dogs only in adulthood, after the age of five.

Do I need surgery for an abscess?

In some cases, it is necessary to open the abscess promptly, when its maturation and independent exit is greatly delayed.

How long does it take to care for a wound after an autopsy?

Until it is completely healed. The wound should remain open until the final evacuation of pus from it, then the use of funds that stimulate the fusion of the skin edges is shown.

Veterinary Center "DobroVet"

An abscess is called an abscess, or an abscess, which forms a cavity as a result of the melting of soft tissues.

It can form at different depths, for example, subcutaneous, subosseous, intramuscular.

Threatens the development of phlegmon

A frequent complication is phlegmon, as well as the opening and penetration of pus into the adjacent natural cavity spaces, as a result of which pleurisy and peritonitis are formed, as well as sepsis. The latter can cause the death of a pet.

The causes of the abscess are pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms that enter during medical manipulations, damage to the skin or mucous membranes. In animals, inflammation is often the result of an adversary bite, for example, during a fight, among fighting dogs. If the rules of asepsis and antiseptics were not followed during medical manipulations, there is a risk of infection and the development of a purulent process. This happens after injections or subcutaneous infusions.

A frequent occurrence are abscesses resulting from suppuration of hematomas, lymphoextravasates. Pathogens can travel through the blood or lymph flow to other parts of the body, causing the infection to spread.

Purulent formations are distinguished by the composition of the exudate. So, it is customary for veterinarians to distinguish benign and malignant formations.

A benign process is characterized by the presence of a purulent effusion of a creamy consistency. It contains many living leukocytes, and the cavity formation itself is limited by a full-fledged granulation tissue barrier.

A different composition of exudate in a malignant course: with a large number of bacteria, a low percentage of leukocytes is observed. Granulation protection is formed slowly, generalized infection and the formation of phlegmon are possible.

How to recognize?

The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a limited painful focus, it is hot to the touch. Against the background of normal skin, severe redness is noticeable, and if you press, you get a fossa that is restored in a few minutes. If the abscess is internal and located deeply, then the work of the affected organ is disrupted.

Gradually, the swelling softens in the central part, friability and swelling appear. When palpating, the skin becomes mobile over the focus, and the surrounding tissues are edematous.

The size of the lesion also differs:

In small livestock, such as boars, the volume of pus reaches 1 to 2 liters;
The volume of purulent exudate in cattle reaches 10 liters.

Medical help consists of opening the cavity to drain the pus.

Also, in pets, ulcers differ in the composition of the flora:

Actinomycotic and botrimicotic swellings are found in stallions, bulls and boars;
On the cow's udder, causative agents of the furunculous form are more common.

Animals react differently to the appearance of an infectious focus: in horses, even a small focus can cause a sharp depression, an increase in temperature, and refusal to eat. While these symptoms are rare in cattle. Pigs rarely react with an increase in temperature, even with a large purulent cavity, it can rise by only 1-2 degrees.

How to help?

At the pre-medical stage, the pet is provided with peace, a separate room. Warm compresses are applied to the affected area, for example, with hay dust, sawdust, paraffin applications and ozokerite. This is how softening is achieved in the central part of the hearth. Cold and massage cannot be categorically applied, this will accelerate the spread of microbes throughout the body.

The animal is given sulfadimezin: 5 to 10 grams. for cattle and from 2 to 3 gr. for small animals. The number of receptions is 3 per day, together with meals.

Medical help consists of opening the cavity to drain the pus. If its size is large, then the contents are first drained with a tube, then an incision is made. Then they are treated with antibiotics, washing with antiseptics and enzymes.

A small wound on the body of the animal is invisible under its fur. At the same time, it will quickly drag on without leaving any traces. The cat's behavior can alert the owner - it becomes lethargic, as in other diseases.

If an abscess is in the pet's mouth, he stops eating or chews only on one side, protecting the other, in which the inflammatory process occurs. Sometimes the animal can spit food, rub the affected area of the cheek on the floor, couch or carpet.

It's important to know! The first symptoms of malaise - lethargy, lack of appetite - should be treated with close attention. Cats are patient animals, tears can be seen only when the disease progresses and brings great suffering.

If the pathology is not detected at the initial stage, then a tumor can be found in the affected area. It will become noticeable even under the coat. In appearance, the tumor resembles a tubercle. It is soft to the touch due to the liquid filled inside and hot due to the inflammation. There will be areas of skin with characteristic soreness around the tubercle.

Additional symptoms of the disease:

A bald patch on the affected area.
Blood or pus leaks from the wound.
Bad smell from abscess.

An abscess located on the paw will eventually lead to lameness. The site of inflammation causes pain to the animal, so the cat may resist traditional strokes from the side of the person, if it touches the affected area.

Causes

So, during a fight between cats, the pet was infected with an infection, which causes an abscess to form. The immunity of the animal reacts to a violation that has occurred due to the ingress of pathogenic bacteria and tissue death. This reaction leads to vasodilation, due to which the accumulation of white blood cells occurs in the affected area. The task of the latter is to cleanse the affected area of the body from dead tissue, infection and foreign bodies.

The accumulated white corpuscles lead to the formation of pus. A fibrous membrane forms on the damaged area - this is how the immune system protects the body, protects it from threats. At this stage, the bacteria can be destroyed. In this case, the abscess heals on its own, no treatment is required for the animal. The infection is cleared from the body and the pus produced is absorbed.

It's important to know! If pathology is not detected in time, an abscess can lead to general blood poisoning and death of the animal. The greatest likelihood is from the affected areas in the mouth.

Diagnostics

Having found the symptoms of the disease in a cat, you can identify the affected area yourself. This is done by palpation. The vet will do the same. In addition to the pet's reaction to pain, the doctor will pay attention to the matte areas that will be on the body with an abscess.

It is likely that for a complete diagnosis, you will have to cut the cat's fur in large areas. The fact that it was possible to establish one affected area does not mean that an abscess does not develop symmetrically in another area. Feline fights are cruel, in one collision, several dozen small and large damage is inflicted on both sides.

Most abscesses are quickly detected by physical examination and palpation. In exceptional cases, the veterinarian will need to conduct a laboratory analysis of bacteria and fluid from the affected area.

It is possible to identify an abscess at an early stage if you know about the fact of the animal's fight and assume that it may be affected. In such cases, caring hosts perform two to three general physicals or are limited to extensive testing.

Treatment

When a veterinarian finds an affected area in a cat, he clips the fur around it and disinfects the skin. An incision is then made to open the abscess and remove the pus. The size of the incision is small and the wound must remain open and dry. For its periodic processing, an antiseptic solution is used. In addition, the pet is assigned antibiotics for an abscess in a cat... After such treatment, the animals recover quickly.

But sometimes, due to a strong lesion, the wound turns out to be large. Once all the pus has been removed from it, it has to be sewn up. Two small incisions leave latex tubules that drain new pus. An antiseptic is injected through these devices. After two to three days, as soon as the wound has healed, the tubes are removed, the treatment is considered complete.

Experienced cat lovers say that the best treatment and prevention of abscess is good animal nutrition. High-quality food and proper diet of your pet is the guarantee of its good health.

Symptoms

The onset of the disease causes a lot of trouble for the dog. Symptoms of an abscess in a dog can be detected visually. Tissue decay occurs inside the affected area, which contributes to the formation of microorganisms. In turn, this infection enters the bloodstream and stimulates the growth of the abscess.

It quickly picks up the pace of volume and accumulation of pus, while the area becomes inflamed, reddens and greatly disturbs the animal. A lump-like tumor is formed, which grows within 3-4 days.

Sometimes it is not immediately possible to see it behind the thickness of the coat, but only by palpation - probing the area. Easier to spot old abscess in a dog... The tissue membrane is corroded by purulent exudate, in places where pus accumulates, the woolen cover sticks together and an unpleasant odor appears.

If the exudate oozes from the sore spot for a long time, then the wool in this area may fall out and baldness will appear - a receding hairline. The surface of the skin will be hot, red, and inflamed.

Causes

An abscess can appear in a variety of situations. The main reason is tissue damage, into which pathogenic bacteria enter. For example, during the mating period, animals can bite each other and introduce various bacteria.

The abscess may have occurred after a dog fought over a female. In such cases, the surface of the wounded skin area is tightened over time, and the bacteria continue to live and multiply, pus accumulates under the skin and a lump appears. When touched, it is hot, and when pressed, the dog feels pain and fear.

The disease can also occur after a walk, during which the dog stepped on something sharp. You should also be careful during a long hunt in the forest. Fighting with the beast and the lack of timely wound care contributes to further contamination and becomes a good breeding ground for bacteria.

Diagnostics

An abscess always poses a certain threat to the health of the animal. It is necessary to contact the veterinary clinic as soon as possible for examination and diagnosis. The physician should carefully examine the patient. For the initial development of an abscess, the characteristic feature is swelling and swelling, hot to the touch, dense and sore. It is necessary to compare the temperature in the area of inflammation and the tissues that surround it.

Typically, the temperature in the affected area will be quite high. To make an accurate diagnosis, a puncture is performed: tissues are punctured to obtain a sample of the contents for analysis.

All clinical signs and etiology are taken into account. An analysis is taken for inoculation: pathogens are grown in laboratory from a liquid sample that was received. This helps to establish which antibacterial drugs the infection is responding to, what exactly it is sensitive to. The results obtained make it possible to select effective means for treating the disease in each specific case.

Also for diagnostics, an ultrasound examination and X-ray are performed. With their help, tissue density is established, other possible diseases that have similar symptoms are swept aside.

Treatment

After confirming the diagnosis of the pet, the doctor prescribes a course of treatment. The duration and methods depend on the nature of the disease and the severity. Surgery is often performed. The abscess is opened under sterile conditions and all pus is removed. After that, it is necessary to treat the opened areas with an antiseptic and disinfect well.

Further, the treatment is continued with a course antibiotics for an abscess in a dog and special ointments, and a bandage is applied to the operated area, under which drainage is installed, if necessary. Given the different forms of the disease and all the threat they pose to the life of the pet, it is important not to self-medicate, but to immediately contact a specialist.

For the prevention of the disease it is necessary:

Examine the dog after every walk;
Treat and disinfect the slightest damage as quickly as possible;
Avoid clashes and fights with other dogs;
Walk in areas that have been tested without debris or other debris.

Be attentive and caring. This approach on the part of the owner prevents complications not only with an abscess in a dog, but also with other diseases.

An abscess (abscess, abscess) is a limited inflammatory process with the formation of a cavity filled with pus. An abscess can develop in different parts of the body and at different depths (under the skin, inside the muscles, under the periosteum, in the bone, etc.) due to contamination and the penetration of pyogenic microbes during injections, into deep puncture wounds and other injuries. Boars, bulls, stallions have abscesses of botryo- or actinomycotic origin, in cows on the udder of furunculous origin. An abscess is often complicated by phlegmon or opens into natural cavities, causing inflammation of the pleura or peritoneum and general blood poisoning (sepsis), which can lead to the death of the animal.

Signs. In the initial stage, there is a limited, painful, hot, dense swelling. In the area of light skin, redness is expressed. When pressing on the swelling, a pit is formed, which is restored in a few minutes. Depending on the location of the abscess, the function of one or another organ is impaired. In the future, the center of the swelling softens, over time, swelling appears and increases. The tissues around the swelling are swollen, the skin on the surface of the abscess is mobile. Ulcers are of various sizes: in pigs and other small animals, they can contain up to 1-2 liters of pus, in large animals - up to 10 liters.

The general condition of the animal depends on the size of the abscess and the reactivity of the organism. In a horse and dog, even a single small abscess can cause fever, excessive excitability or depression, and poor appetite. In cattle, even with large abscesses, the body temperature does not always rise. In pigs, only with large abscesses, especially with gases and fetid contents, the body temperature rises by 1-2 ° C, depression is observed, the animal lies.

Help measures. First aid. The animal is placed separately, conditions of rest are created. At the initial stage, heat is applied to a painful dense swelling: warming water or alcohol compresses, poultices of hay dust, sawdust or bran, hot medicinal mud (applications), ozokerite, molten paraffin. Heat is treated until a softening swelling appears in the center. Cold and massage are contraindicated, as they will promote the spread of microbes in the animal's body. At the same time, the patient is given sulfadimezin with food: 3 times a day, 5-10 g per intake for a large animal and 2-3 g for a small animal. When the abscess is ripe, they go to a veterinarian.

Medical help. At the beginning of the disease, a short penicillin-novocaine blockade around the swelling gives a good result and, if possible, under it, at the border of healthy tissues, a 0.25% solution of novocaine with 250,000 U of penicillin or tetracycline is injected.

A ripe abscess is opened with one incision so as to drain the pus. If the abscess is large, it is recommended to free it from the contents before the incision using a rubber tube put on the sleeve, the end of which is lowered into a vessel with an antiseptic solution. After opening the abscess, the wound is treated in the usual way. Use the enzyme trypsin, chymotrypsin with antibiotics, Vishnevsky ointment.

Prevention. Timely correct provision of medical first aid for wounds, bruises and other injuries. Strict adherence to asepsis and antiseptics during injections, wound treatment, surgery. Prevention of injuries by dehorning operations in ruminants, caudotomy in cattle and piglets, cutting canine teeth in piglets, regular trimming of hooves in all productive livestock.