Toxic Shock (Sepsis, Septicemia, and Bacteremia) in Cats

Bacteremia can be quite common, but it does not always need treatment. Septicemia is rarer than bacteremia but requires immediate medical attention.

Blood infections can lead to abnormally high body temperature and low blood pressure which might prove fatal if left untreated. As a potentially life-threatening condition, sepsis must be treated as an emergency.

In severe cases, sepsis can rapidly develop into septic shock. The body’s response to toxins produced by the bacteria in the blood leads to low blood pressure and cardiovascular dysfunction. Cats suffering from septic shock start to show signs of cardiac failure such as increased or reduced heart rate, pale or blue gums, cold extremities, and respiratory distress. Septic shock can lead to death even with treatment.

Cats that have a compromised immune system, such as those with FeLV and FIV, are at a higher risk.

The causes of bacteremia and sepsis in cats are many. Temporary bacteremia might be a result of medical procedures (especially dental) that free bacteria, allowing them to enter the bloodstream. Bacteria can also enter the bloodstream through the intestine but are usually removed when the blood passes through the liver.

Sepsis might develop when an infection is present in the body. Another possible cause of sepsis is infection of a surgical site, or from a foreign object, such as a drainage tube or intravenous catheter.

Temporary bacteremia rarely presents with clinical signs.

Other symptoms might be present depending on the site of the original infection.

In cats, a high fever might be a sign of sepsis. The diagnostic process is complicated, and several blood samples might be required to identify the specific cause of infection. Samples of other fluids, such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and lung discharge might be examined for bacterial culture. Diagnostic imaging is sometimes required to detect possible organ abscesses.

Bacteremia does not always require treatment but antibiotics might be prescribed to prevent it from developing into sepsis. Treatment for sepsis, due to the severity of the condition, must be immediate and aggressive. Treatment for sepsis involves medications, such as antibiotics and antimicrobials (typically more than one medication is needed) that work on the infection. Fluid therapy is often required to avoid dehydration. Nutritional support using a feeding tube may also be indicated if the patient cannot feed on their own.

Bacteremia often resolves on its own and does not pose a threat to the patient’s life.

There is a high rate of mortality with sepsis, especially if it develops into septic shock. For a better prognosis, it is paramount to start treatment as early as possible, even if a definitive prognosis is not available at the time treatment is sought.

Routine veterinary care helps minimize the risk of bacteremia in cats through disease prevention, but otherwise, there are no specific preventive measures against bacteremia. Prevention for sepsis often consists of antibiotic medications prescribed when bacteremia occurs.

Prompt investigation of any ongoing symptoms and maintaining appropriate levels of hygiene and environmental management create the best circumstances to avoid illnesses that are precursors to sepsis. Staying up to date with vaccinations and other veterinary recommendations for individual cats helps to ensure the immune system remains robust, further decreasing the probability of toxic shock.

Bacteremia and sepsis are not contagious in themselves but as they might be caused by contagious infections, the underlying cause of a cat having bacteremia or sepsis may be contagious.

Sepsis is less common in cats than in dogs. Bacteremia and sepsis are more common in animals already suffering from a compromised immune system.

• Antibiotics
• Supportive care
• Fluid therapy