Actinomycosis and Nocardiosis

Condition Overview

These bacterial skin infections generally occur in hunting dogs. Both actinomycosis and nocardiosis can produce a systemic infection that involves the lymph nodes, brain, chest cavity, lungs, and bones.

Symptoms

Subcutaneous (below the skin) abscesses with draining sinus tracts appear at the site of a puncture wound or break in the skin, usually in the head and neck area. The wound discharge often resembles tomato soup and or/ contains material that looks like sulfa granules.

All symptoms +

Causes

The bacterial infections are acquired by contact with infected soil. Norcardiosis can be associated with gingivitis and mouth ulcers.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by culturing the wound drainage.

Treatment

Treatment involves surgically opening infected abscesses and draining body cavities. Norcardiosis responds to sulfa drugs; actinomycosis to penicillin. Prolonged antibiotic treatment is necessary. If the infection has spread deeply into the skin, the dog may not survive.

Prevention

More information needed.

Support

Please contact your veterinarian with questions regarding this condition.