A five year old intact male Boxer was presented to the Emergency Service at Cornell University Hospital for Animals for severe bite wounds. At presentation, the patient was laterally recumbent and obtunded with hyperemic mucous membranes, a capillary refill time of two seconds, fair pulses, and bilateral miosis. There were numerous puncture wounds, lacerations, abrasions, and massive swelling throughout his neck, thorax, and forelimbs. In addition to respiratory distress, shock, and possible neurotrauma, the patient’s tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypothermia met the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Diagnostic imaging revealed luxation of the right hyoid apparatus and a left thyroid cartilage fracture. The patient was initially maintained on oxygen, intravenous fluids, pain medication, broad spectrum antibiotics, and gastroprotectants. Subsequent bloodwork indicated acute kidney injury. Ultimately, the dog fully recovered from his injuries. This case reviews systemic inflammatory response syndrome in relation to severe trauma and discusses the necessity for early recognition and treatment to prevent multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and death.