Septicemia is a systemic disease caused by the multiplication of microorganisms in the blood. It is also called blood poisoning or septic fever. Septicemia is a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly. It can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract.
Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Bacteremia occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream. This may occur through a wound or infection, or through a surgical procedure or injection. Bacteremia may cause no symptoms and resolve without treatment, or it may produce fever and other symptoms of infection. In some cases, bacteremia leads to septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Bacteremia and septicemia occur when the persistent presence of bacterial organisms in a dog's bloodstream becomes systemic, meaning that it has spread throughout the body. This is also referred to as blood poisoning, and septic fever. This condition becomes very dangerous when it leads to abnormally low blood pressure and high body temperature, and can be fatal if left untreated.
There are several signs and symptoms associated with both bacteremila and septicemia.
Sepsis and bacteremia in dogs may develop slowly or suddenly
Signs and symptoms may vary, or they may involve many different organ systems, including the cardiovascular system
Symptoms are often confused with the signs and symptoms of many other immune-regulated diseases
Clinical symptoms are often more severe when the organisms involved are gram-negative organisms. These types of organisms are more likely to cause diseases in the dog
Typically, dogs will develop signs and symptoms of the disease in the gastrointestinal tract first
Initial physical signs and symptoms typically include chills, fever, and lethargy
Depression symptoms are common in dogs
Tachycardia (rapid heart beat) and heart murmur are common
