Septic Shock in Cats

Septic shock, or sepsis, is a serious physical condition associated with generalized bacterial infection of the body. It develops as a complication of an overwhelming generalized systemic infection. Septic shock is associated with low blood flow (hypoperfusion) or low blood pressure (hypotension), which may or may not respond to fluids or medical treatment given to maintain arterial blood pressure. Cats that are very young or very old are at increased risk due to their undeveloped or lowered immune responses, respectively.

Symptoms and Types

Early shock

• Rapid heart rate
• Normal or high arterial blood pressure
• Bounding pulses
• Reddened moist tissues of the body
• The pink or red color of the gums is very quick to return when the gums are blanched by finger pressure
• Fever
• Rapid breathing

Late shock

• Rapid heart rate or slow heart rate
• Poor pulse
• Pale gums or moist tissues of the body
• The pink color of the gums is slow to return when the gums are blanched by finger pressure
• Cool extremities (from lack of circulation)
• Low body temperature
• Mental depression or stupor
• Production of only small amounts of urine
• Difficulty breathing; rapid breathing
• Small, pinpoint areas of bleeding in the skin and moist tissues of the body.
• Fluid build-up in the tissues, especially the legs and under the skin (swollen limbs)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Extreme weakness

Causes

• Possible history of known infection (such as urinary tract infection or infection/inflammation of the prostate)
• Previous surgery may place an animal at increased risk of systemic infection
• Other conditions or treatments that potentially decrease the immune response, such as diabetes mellitus; increased levels of steroids produced by the adrenal glands; Cushing's disease; treatment with high-dosage steroids or chemotherapy regimens
• Compromise of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in bacteria moving from the intestinal tract into the body and causing bacterial toxins to accumulate in the blood (endotoxemia)
• Infection/inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) and abscesses of the prostate
• Bacterial infection of the lining of the abdomen (septic peritonitis)
• Bacterial infection of the lining of the heart (bacterial endocarditis)
• Gastrointestinal rupture
• Urinary tract infection
• Pneumonia
• Bite wounds

Diagnosis

Clinical features include fever, inflammatory response, and collapse of the circulation system. Septic shock associated with circulatory collapse must be differentiated from systemic infection with adequate compensatory cardiovascular response. Circulatory collapse is associated with rapid heart beat or slow heart beat, reduced cardiac output, low blood pressure, reduction of blood flowing into the tissues, and evidence of multi-organ dysfunction such as mental depression, decreased urination, and hemorrhage. Your doctor will want to keep a close watch on your cat's blood pressure.

A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. Your veterinarian will depend heavily on a urinalysis and blood tests to determine your cat's condition. Visual diagnostics will include chest x-rays to look for pneumonia and to examine the heart. Echocardiography may be used to determine whether the heart muscle is working properly. Abdominal ultrasound may help for detection of an underlying abdominal disease.