Leptospirosis in dogs
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The development of leptospirosis in dogs is caused by a bacterium called spirochaete - a thin, spirally wriggling microorganism. There are at least four types (or serovar) of leptospirosis that can infect dogs: canicola, icterohemorrhagiae, grippotyphosa and pomona.
Leptospira are found in both wild and domesticated animals. The bacterium spreads with urine, often through water sources, and remains active in the soil for up to six months. The primary reservoir is rats, pigs, raccoons, cattle, skunks and opossums. With the approach of settlements to the outskirts, pets are more exposed to wild life. This may be the cause of an increase in the number of cases of leptospirosis.
Spirochetes penetrate the dog's body through damage to the skin or when the dog drinks contaminated water. Dogs that spend a lot of time in the water have an increased risk of getting leptospirosis, as well as dogs drinking water from puddles, spending a lot of time in courtyards with a lot of surface runoff or remaining long wet after rain.
Most cases are mild and any clinical signs may be absent. Symptoms occur 4-12 days after infection. At an early stage, there is fever. Other signs of the disease are loss of appetite for several days, vomiting, drowsiness, depression, muscle pain, sometimes diarrhea or blood in the urine. Leptospirosis mainly affects the kidney and / or liver.
In severe cases, the eyes of the dog's eyes (sclera) become yellow (jaundice). This indicates hepatitis with destruction of liver cells. There may be problems with blood clotting, including sudden bleeding from the mouth and blood in the bowel movements. If the dog is not treated, despite recovery, it can become a carrier and spread the bacteria with urine throughout the year.
Serovars canicola and gripotyphosa most often cause damage to the kidneys, and serovars pomona and icterohemorrhagiae - the liver. In young dogs, all serovars are most often affected by the liver.
The diagnosis can be suspected on the basis of clinical symptoms of the dog. In addition, the results of tests of kidney and liver function will be pathological. Spirochaetes can be found in urine and in the blood with the help of immunofluorescent method (fluorescent staining of antibodies). To confirm the analysis, you can conduct blood tests.
Treatment: Severely ill dogs should be hospitalized to prevent further spread of the disease and provide more intensive care. Against leptospirosis, combinations of antibiotics are effective, for example, a combination of penicillin and streptomycin, although doxycycline is now more commonly used. Sometimes enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are also used. Supportive treatment consists in controlling vomiting and diarrhea, correcting dehydration with intravenous solutions and maintenance nutrition.
Prevention: there is no vaccine against leptospirosis.
Public health issues: people can be infected with leptospirosis in the same ways as dogs, that is, through water. It can also be transmitted by contact with infected urine, so if the dog is sick with leptospirosis in the house, then appropriate safety measures must be taken. Even a symptom-less infected dog can spread the infection.
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