Redefining canine sepsis: Advancing diagnosis and treatment

Sepsis in dogs remains one of the most critical conditions encountered in emergency and critical care, with mortality rates that have shown little improvement over the past three decades. This presentation explores the pathophysiology and sequelae of sepsis, highlighting current diagnostic shortcomings and the urgent need for rapid, accurate tools to guide therapy. Promising existing biomarkers will be discussed for monitoring treatment response, while newer approaches, such as transcriptomics, which are opening the door to discovering novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets will also be reviewed. Additionally, the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance will be discussed, underscoring the importance of optimizing antimicrobial use through pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles, including the use of continuous infusions. By integrating molecular diagnostics, innovative monitoring strategies, and optimized antimicrobial protocols, the future of sepsis care may finally see meaningful improvements in outcomes.

• Describe the pathophysiology and systemic sequelae of canine sepsis, including SIRS, DIC, and MODS.
• Recognise the limitations of current diagnostic approaches and the impact of delayed diagnosis on survival.
• Evaluate the potential role of procalcitonin as a biomarker for monitoring sepsis response and guiding antimicrobial therapy.
• Explore omics-based research, including transcriptomics, in identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for sepsis.
• Understand the principles of antimicrobial optimization (dosing, spectrum, timing) in critically ill patients.
• Assess the evidence supporting continuous antimicrobial infusions as a strategy to achieve pharmacodynamic targets and improve patient outcomes.

Speakers

Samuel Stewart, DVM, DACVECC, CEO - Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital

Delivered by:

Presented at LVS 2025

Thursday, 20 November 2025, 15:50-16:40, Association Content