• Disease
• Me and My Pet

Monday, June 16, 2008

The dog was only 4 years old!

posted by csenay at 11h39

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Stagnant water, contaminated with urine is a common source of Leptospira infection. Googleimage.ca

Fido (false name) was presented for partial anorexia of one week duration. This 4 years old, large breed dog, was also drinking and urinating a lot. The client had noticed at the morning appointment, yellow gums.

At the physical examination, the lethargic and dehydrated dog, had yellow mucosa and skin, a condition described as icterus (jaundice).

Preliminary blood test revealed elevated liver enzymes.  These symptoms were compatible with a hepatic disease (hepatitis). Leptospirosis, a disease that can affect the liver was then suspected.

The clients declined hospitalization with intensive support treatments. He was started on antibiotics by the mouth, while waiting for the Leptospirosis serologic test.

The weaken dog was finally euthanized 4 days after the initial consultation. The serologic test for Leptospirosis, came out positive.

This sad true story occurred last week at my clinic. The dog was living in St-Lazare.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects many species of animals as well as human beings. Dogs become infected with the leptospira bacteria through contact with the urine of infected animals.

Stagnant water, contaminated with urine is a common source of infection. The organism can also be transmitted through mating, bites, and the consumption of infected carcasses. Transmission is greatest during periods of wet weather.

Leptospira gain entrance to the bloodstream through mucous membranes or wounds. It takes 4-12 days for symptoms to occur. Once in the blood stream the organisms spread rapidly to body organs that include the liver, spleen, and the kidneys. The nervous system, genital tract and eyes can also harbor leptospira.

Leptospirosis is zoonotic, meaning that it can be transmitted to humans.  This can occur from wildlife contamination of the environment or via an infected dog shedding the organism.

How to protect your dog and family? There is now a widely used dog vaccine for the most important Leptospira serovars (variants), and its efficacy has been reported to be quite good.  The vaccine provides one year of protection, and dogs are boostered annually.

If you think that your dog may be at risk, I encourage yourself to discuss it with your veterinarian. If so, vaccination should then be considered!