Rhabdomyolysis triggered by septic shock in a dog: a case report

The purpose of this report is to describe an unusual case of severe rhabdomyolysis associated with septic shock. A 13-year-old Pekingese male dog was admitted to our department with a history of respiratory distress, fatigue, severe myalgias, vomiting, and generalized severe asthenia. The creatine kinase (CK) level was very high (13.690 UI/L) on the 1st day of hospitalization and increased to 31.587 UI/L on the 2nd day. CK values during the 4th and 9th days were 15.796 UI/L and 1.064 UI/L, respectively. Despite aggressive shock treatment and adequate treatment of secondary infections and the complication of rhabdomyolysis (azotemia and liver failure), the patient developed progressive myalgia, progressive respiratory failure, and low compliance, resulting in death on the 9th day of hospitalization.