Dog-bite induced fatal meningitis in a kitten: a case report

Bacterial infection of the brain is relatively rare in dogs and cats. A cat at approximately three months of age was admitted to the clinic with a history of dog bite seven days before admission. On clinical presentation, the cat was unconscious and in lateral recumbency. One hour after admission, the cat developed severe apnoea and asystole. Cardiorespiratory resuscitation was unsuccessful and the animal died. Necropsy and histopathological examination revealed a purulent meningitis. A sample of purulent exudates was submitted for microbiological examination. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from bacterial culture. Due to the history of dog biting, direct inoculation of P. multocida into the subdural space following penetrating dog-bite wounds was suggested to be the cause of meningitis and death of the kitten. This report highlights the importance of antibiotic therapy in bite wounds to reduce such fatal complications.