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- Early stages:
- Shaking
- Fever
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate
- Bounding pulses
- Rapid rise in temperature
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Decrease in urinary output
- Glucose deficiency in bloodstream
- Red mucous membranes
- Late stages:
- Pale mucous membranes
- Inconsistencies in pulse
- Cool extremities
- A dazed condition
- Low body temperature
- Organ failure
- Difficulty breathing
- Fluid retention
- Bacteremia is a term used to describe a presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Temporary bactermia may occur with dental procedures, because the bacteria in and around the gums are freed into the bloodstream. This can also occur when bacteria from the intestine passes into the bloodstream, but these are removed when the blood then passes through the liver. Cases of bacteremia are usually not serious.
- Sepsis, commonly referred to as septic shock, is when illness results from bacteria and/or their toxins remaining in the bloodstream for a period of time. Sepsis is less common than bacteremia and usually occurs when there’s an infection at some other place in the body, such as the lungs, stomach, or urinary tract. Sepsis can also occur after a surgery. The risk of sepsis can be increased by the presence of a foreign body. Animals with immune system disorders are more vulnerable to sepsis. Septic shock is an extreme condition of sepsis.
- Surgery, especially if the location of the surgery is infected
- Pre-existing infections
- Immune system disorders
- Pneumonia
- Uterine infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Skin infection
- Being young or old
- Physical exam
- Blood tests that look at levels of white blood cells, oxygen levels, platelet count, lactic acid concentration and levels of metabolic waste products.
- Electrocardiogram, looking for heart irregularities.
- Blood cultures to identify the infectious bacteria.
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- X-Rays of the chest and abdomen
- Ultrasound of stomach and heart
- If there is abnormal fluid found in the chest or stomach, a fluid analysis should be completed.
- Catscan or MRI
- Increased or decreased count of white blood cells
- Very high or very low blood sugar
- Increased or decreased count of red blood cells, from dehydration or anemia
- An increase in liver enzymes
- An increase in kidney values
- Abnormal clotting times
- IV fluids to increase blood pressure
- Antibiotic therapy
- Colloid and vasopressor administration
- Drugs to increase blood flow to vital organs
- Nutritional management
- Administration of oxygen
- Placement of feeding tubes, due to a decreased appetite and struggle eating
- Surgery, typically used to drain abscesses or remove dead tissue.
- Persistent monitoring for any change in status, particularly in clotting, hydration, and organ functionality.
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