Sepsis in Dogs: A Step Towards Better Diagnostics & Treatments
May 15, 2024
Sepsis in dogs poses a severe threat, often leading to devastating outcomes despite medical advances. At Ethos Discovery, we’re committed to changing this by pioneering research that delves into the genetic underpinnings of sepsis. Our latest study explores innovative diagnostic and treatment strategies, aiming to enhance survival rates and improve the lives of our canine companions. In this blog you will:
- Understand the need for improved diagnostics and treatments for sepsis in dogs.
- Learn how Ethos Discovery is investigating gene expression in dogs with septic peritonitis
- Understand the genetic mechanisms behind sepsis and which may lead to targeted therapies and improved treatment outcomes.
Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection, remains a formidable challenge both in human and veterinary medicine. In dogs, septic peritonitis, a severe form of sepsis within the abdomen, often leads to high mortality rates despite advances in medical care. Our research team at Ethos Discovery is dedicated to understanding and combating this condition, striving to improve the diagnosis and treatment options for our canine companions.
The Need for Better Sepsis Management
Septic peritonitis occurs when bacteria or other infectious agents enter the abdominal cavity, usually due to issues like intestinal perforation, trauma, or organ rupture. This invasion triggers a severe systemic inflammatory response, leading to widespread organ dysfunction and often, death. Despite numerous studies and advancements over the past few decades, survival rates for dogs with sepsis have not significantly improved. Mortality rates have hovered around 50-70%, highlighting a critical need for better diagnostic tools and treatments.
Our Research Focus
Our latest study focuses on evaluating gene expression in the blood of dogs with septic peritonitis to identify novel molecular targets. By analyzing these gene expression patterns, we aim to uncover potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat sepsis in dogs. This cutting-edge approach allows us to look deeper into the molecular mechanisms at play, potentially leading to breakthroughs that traditional methods might miss.
Why This Research Matters
The current diagnostic methods for sepsis, like blood cultures, are often slow and unreliable. They require large blood samples and lengthy processing times, which are not ideal for critically ill patients. Moreover, these methods have low success rates in detecting infections, leaving many cases undiagnosed. Our goal is to develop faster, more accurate diagnostic tests that can quickly identify sepsis and its severity, enabling timely and effective treatment.
Beyond diagnosis, understanding the specific genes involved in sepsis can lead to targeted therapies. Traditional treatments using broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, have shown limited success and can sometimes cause more harm than good by suppressing essential immune functions. By pinpointing specific molecular targets, we can develop therapies that modulate the immune response more precisely, reducing harmful inflammation without compromising the body’s ability to fight infection.
Future Prospects
Our research is still in the early stages, but the findings provide a strong foundation for future studies. We plan to validate these results in larger cohorts of dogs and explore the potential of the identified genes as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This work could pave the way for new blood tests that rapidly diagnose sepsis and monitor disease progression, as well as novel treatments that improve survival rates and outcomes for dogs suffering from this devastating condition.