Clinical presentation and outcome of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in six dogs - a retrospective study.

M. abscessus causes diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in dogs; clarithromycin remains key despite variable susceptibility.

This retrospective study describes six canine cases of Mycobacterium abscessus infection, a rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium with intrinsic antimicrobial resistance. Clinical presentations varied between respiratory disease (coughing, hacking in 2/6 dogs) and cutaneous/subcutaneous manifestations with nodules and draining tracts, predominantly on the right trunk (4/6 dogs). All cases occurred seasonally during winter months. Diagnosis was confirmed through mycobacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction in all cases, with histopathology revealing pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis. Clarithromycin served as the primary antimicrobial agent across all cases, with variable polytherapy protocols. Clinical outcomes were available for five dogs: one achieved full recovery, one relapsed post-treatment discontinuation, two underwent euthanasia, with two cases showing concurrent staphylococcal infections. The study highlights diagnostic challenges and therapeutic difficulties associated with M. abscessus in canine medicine, demonstrating disease patterns similar to human infections.

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