A Pet Owner’s Guide to Understanding Leptospirosis in Dogs

Leptospirosis is a rare and dangerous virus found in temperate and tropical regions. It is highly threatening to outdoor pets such as dogs. Although less than 1% of dogs are affected by Leptospirosis, it is not to be dismissed because exposure to it can harm your pet’s health.

The following article will include:

• What is Leptospirosis?
• Stages of Leptospirosis and their Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment Options and Approaches
• The Primary Causes and Prevention Methods
• Success Stories and Cases
• Lifestyle and Recovery

Having a detailed source of information should help you remain vigilant and ensure the well-being of your animal companions.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria called Leptospira. This remains active in stagnant water bodies. When your dog plays or swims in water containing urine of infected wildlife, the bacteria burrow through the skin. It can do this by targeting breaches and open cuts. Leptospirosis may also enter the body via the intake of virus-carrying water.

Once within, it spreads rapidly through the bloodstream, lowering the red blood cell level. It damages the kidneys, the liver and the nervous system which leads to the weakening of the body. Without treatment, it can lead to meningitis, respiratory failure, and tragically, even death.

Stages of Leptospirosis and their Symptoms

Leptospirosis mainly targets the kidneys and the liver, although it does also affect the blood and other organs.

The Kidneys

An animal suffering from leptospirosis can experience a loss of kidney function. In extreme cases, even kidney failure is possible. Dogs in this state can have bloated kidneys and are even found to have CKD (chronic kidney failure). What this means is that the nephrons – tiny filtration units in the kidney- and renal cells are destroyed faster than they are replaced.  This leaves the body unable to filter out waste material from the patient’s blood. As a result, you may notice irregularities in your dog’s urine cycle.

The Liver

This disease has multiple impacts on a dog’s liver system. The liver often swells, and lesions – abnormal growths – form inside which may cause stomach aches. You may also notice a yellowing of the skin, eyes and mouth, etc. which is similar to jaundice. In severe cases, a dog can even develop Weil’s disease.

The Blood

Anemia is another side effect of leptospirosis because red blood cells begin to decrease in number. In severe cases, the animal might require a transference of blood, so these effects should be taken into account.

Below is an extensive list of the signs of leptospirosis, so that owners can be reactive to any dangers.

• Lethargy and reluctance to exert themselves.
• Stiffness and soreness of muscles.
• increased thirst.
• loss of appetite.
• frequency of urine.
• nosebleeds.
• vomiting which may contain traces of blood.
• diarrheic discharge.
• jaundice-like state of yellowed eyes and skin, as previously mentioned.
• anemic appearance.
• Headaches.
• Fever.

Leptospirosis usually advances in two continuous stages: the delayed stage and the acute stage. It takes around 6 to 12 days to manifest, therefore it is best to get your dog seen by a vet and treated during the delayed stage so that the damage to the organs may be minimal.

Diagnosis

Some of the symptoms can be very vague and the result of any other, less extreme, virus as well. In order to be sure, an animal parent should take their pet for a check-up. The clinic will likely be able to identify the issue quickly and act to save your dog’s life.

If you do wish to check for your assurance, you may do a PCR test and an MAT test. A PCR test recognizes genetic material which is alien to your body, especially a virus. A MAT test detects antibodies in the system which combine with foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. Elevated white blood cell levels or lower platelet levels may also be an indication of leptospirosis.

Treatment Options and Approaches

After gaining your trusted vet’s opinion and having an understanding of the prognosis, it’s good to have a sense of what kinds of methods or procedures might be available to save your precious fur baby from further suffering.

Antibiotics

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics in the first stages, especially during the early stages of the infection. These may include such medicines as oral doxycycline or iv penicillin which are assigned for 2 to 4 weeks to remove the leptospires from the kidneys.

Fluid Therapy

Usually though, dogs are placed into intensive care immediately, so you may not be able to keep your little, beloved friend with you at home. Keeping them at the hospital is a good idea, however, since they can receive proper treatment such as fluid therapy. This is when dogs are rehydrated with electrolytes and fluids to replace the lost water, sugar and salts.

A nasogastric feeding tube may also be used to administer medicine, water and nutrition.

Blood Transfusion or Dialysis

Because of the blood loss, depletion of platelets and anemic reactions of dogs, a blood transfusion might also be required. Extreme cases also infrequently warrant hemodialysis, which is the filtering out of toxins and waste material from the blood. Effectively, this is to make up for the dysfunction of the kidney.

The Primary Causes and Prevention Methods

Leptospirosis thrives in still water such as small puddles, creeks, mud and ponds. It can survive in such an environment for longer than 3 months. So, during the rainy season or after a storm or hurricane, let the pooch exercise around the house instead. Also avoid muddy or flooded parts of the area.

Dogs can also pick up the virus by eating or being bitten by a rat that carries the infection. This is why it is necessary to regularly check the kennel for any signs of rat activity such as gnawed wood or droppings.

When there is an outbreak, it is advisable to refrain from letting your dog interact with other hounds at dog parks and dog beaches or leaving them at boarding houses.

The BEST WAY to safeguard your tail-wagging companion is to vaccinate him or her once a year. Vaccine series such as four-serovar can prevent Leptospirosis for 12 months. Puppies should ideally be vaccinated at 9 months or older with booster shots every successive year.

It is important to be aware of the side effects that these vaccines may have, which include vomiting, facial swelling, diarrhea and difficulty breathing. You should also consult your puppy’s personal care-provided who has access to his or her clinical history. This way, they can better guide you about the best course of action to take.

Lifestyle and Recovery

With early and aggressive treatment, chances of recovery in dogs are as high as 90%; without it, recovery can take several months instead of weeks. Unfortunately, treatment is not the end of the process. Leptospirosis tends to leave dogs with irreversible tissue damage, which will have long-term health implications.

Furthermore, your pet can continue to pass the bacteria via urine or mucous for up to six weeks, so you should be careful to clean up after them and sanitize your own and your children’s hands after petting them. It is also advisable to use gloves and a mask while cleaning fluids.

After they have been discharged, your dog must be given time for rest and relaxation. One way to do this is by creating a quiet and relaxing, disturbance-free atmosphere which will lower stress levels and allow them to conserve energy. A light, steady diet is also advised, so coordinate with your veterinarian to find the right diet and routine which will be suitable to help get your little four-legged buddy back on his feet and running about again!

” Elianne Liong is a staff writer for Celeritas Digital.  She specializes in researching and publishing content related to a range of topics in the animal health and veterinary industry, including technology transformation, business processes, HR, data science, and advanced analytics. “