TRATAMENTO INTEGRATIVO COM OZONIOTERAPIA E LASERTERAPIA EM FERIDA CAUSADA POR LOXOSCELISMO CUTÂNEO EM CÃO: RELATO DE CASO

Abstract

This article presents a case report of cutaneous loxoscelism in a Fila Brasileiro dog, focusing on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, as well as the patient's clinical evolution. Loxoscelism, caused by the bite of spiders from the Loxosceles genus (commonly known as brown spiders), is a serious form of arachnidism and can manifest in either cutaneous or cutaneous-visceral forms. The cutaneous form, observed in 84% to 97% of cases, is characterized by local inflammatory lesions that can progress to necrosis, while the cutaneous-visceral form is less common but more dangerous, potentially leading to systemic complications such as renal failure and coagulation disorders. Although loxoscelism is well-recognized in human medicine, there is a lack of data regarding its occurrence in companion animals, particularly cats, making diagnosis and treatment challenging in such cases. In dogs, however, most knowledge comes from case reports like the one described in this article, which highlights the diagnostic challenges due to the absence of immediate pain, the lack of specific complementary tests, and the initial similarity of lesions to other dermatological conditions. This study contributes to a better understanding of the clinical signs of cutaneous loxoscelism in dogs and discusses a presumptive diagnostic approach based on clinical history, observed signs, and the epidemiological profile of the region.