Hafnia alvei: The unreported pathogen responsible for a sub-capsular renal abscess in a 1-year-old, presumed immunocompetent crossbreed dog with no co-morbidities

A 12-month-old, male neutered Rottweiler cross, weighing 34.0 kg with a 6-month history of episodes of pyrexia, hyporexia, pollakiuria and left flank pain is described. Ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings combined with clinical signs were consistent with a left renal abscess which was treated 2 days later with a left ureteronephrectomy. Septic peritonitis was assumed intraoperatively upon the discovery of a moderate amount of turbid, straw-coloured free abdominal fluid and the appearance of the abdominal organs and peritoneum. Histopathology of the kidney confirmed a focally extensive subcapsular renal abscess with concurrent suppurative and lymphoplasmacellular nephritis. Culture of the intra-capsular fluid and of the renal tissue resulted in heavy growths of Hafnia alvei. The dog spent 8 days in the hospital and made a full recovery; resolution of the presenting signs has been achieved to date. A good prognosis is given cautiously owing to the undetermined aetiology of disease.