Objective: To investigate the time of bacterial invasion into the blood and conduct flora analysis of the blood and secretions in the gunshot wound in the limbs of dogs in hot and humid environment.
Methods: Gun-shot wound was induced in 8 dogs who were subsequently assigned at random into hot and humid environment (HHE) group and normal environment (NE) group for observation. At the time points of 0, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 h after injury, body temperature was measured and bacterial culture and flora analysis performed.
Results: Body temperature elevation occurred earlier and lasted for longer time in HEE group than in NE group. Bacterial invasion into the blood occurred at 12 h after the injury in NE group, but at 8 h in HHE group. In the wound tracts of the dogs, surface bacteria were found in both groups. Surface bacteria were also found in the blood of dogs in both groups, but in HHE group, even intestinal flora were identified.
Conclusion: Body temperature elevation and bacterial invasion into the blood occurred at an earlier time in hot and humid environment where migration of intestinal bacteria into the blood easily takes place, indicating the early application of broad-spectrum antibiotics under such environmental conditions.