Boise Vet - Actinomycosis

Our pets often suffer from minor cuts and scrapes without us ever knowing about it.  In most cases, these will heal without incident.  But sometimes these injuries can become a more serious problem—particularly in dogs or cats who suffer an injury around their faces or mouths—when they become infected with actinomycosis bacteria.  These bacteria live normally in the mouths and noses of dogs, but in some cases they cause infections which lead to abscesses on your pet's face, inside the mouth, or even in the respiratory tract or digestive tract of your pet.

What Is Actinomycosis?

These bacteria usually live in small amounts in the mouths and noses of healthy dogs.  While usually they don't cause any sort of problems, they can cause infections in pets who suffer an injury in the face or mouth area.  In most cases, the infection will thrive in an animal with a compromised immune system, but even healthy pets can become infected with actinomycosis if the circumstances are right.

What Are The Symptoms Of Actinomycosis Infections?

These infections will often begin as small wounds, and can grow quite large.  The wounds will often have drainage of a yellowish crystalline fluid and will not typically heal completely on their own.  When the infections spread to the inside of the mouth, throat, lungs, or digestive tract, your pet may exhibit other symptoms such as:

• Fever 
•  Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Raspy Breathing

How Is Actinomycosis Diagnosed And Treated

This infection is usually diagnosed through a thorough exam and analysis of your pet's symptoms.  Cultures of abscesses may be taken to determine what type of bacteria is causing the infection.  Once actinomycosis is determined to be the cause, a course of antibiotics will be started.  Treatment with antibiotics will typically last 3-4 months.  In almost half of all cases of actinomycosis infection, your pet will become reinfected with the bacteria.  The infections have a very low mortality rate, meaning most pets will recover from the infection without incident.

Bacterial infections in our pets can range from mild to severe.  In most cases, paying attention to your pet's everyday health can let you know early on when your pet becomes ill.  Often, simply treating your pet early with antibiotics will cure your pet of any unwanted infections.  Keeping your pets in a clean, safe environment will often help prevent these infections from occurring in the first place.

Mobile Pet Medical Care offering quality vet services in the Treasure Valley.